Oct. 16, 2026 by Catholic News Herald

October 16, 2026

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At a glance 2

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CATHOLIC ALL WEEK

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Timely tips for blending faith & life

VOLUME 35 • NUMBER 26

1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@rcdoc.org

704-370-3333 PUBLISHER The Most Reverend Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., Bishop of Charlotte

INDEX Contact us.....................................2 Español....................................... 16-17 Our Diocese............................. 4-14 Our Faith........................................3 Our Schools................................. 15 Scripture.......................................3 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

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ctober is known as the Month of the Holy Rosary because the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary falls on Oct. 7. Pope Leo XIV started the month by praying the rosary with hundreds of children and their families at the Lourdes grotto in the Vatican Gardens. During his Angelus address in Lourdes a few days earlier, Pope Leo shared a prayer request: “I invite all the faithful and all Christian communities to pray the holy rosary throughout the coming month of October, with the particular intention that wars may cease and that peace may be established among peoples in conflict,” he said.

1 A MONTH OF HISTORY The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, also celebrated as Our Lady of Victory, was established by Pope Pius V in 1571 to celebrate the miraculous victory of Christian forces over the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto on Oct. 7. Previous to the decisive naval battle, the pope had requested that all western Christians pray the rosary, and he attributed the victory to the power of the Marian prayer rather than the power of ships and cannons.

2 SCRIPTURAL ROOTS The rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is taken from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel’s words announcing Christ’s birth and Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. The mysteries of the rosary center on the events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of mysteries: joyful, sorrowful, glorious and the luminous, which were added by St. John Paul II in 2002. Look online for details about each and a breakdown of how to pray the rosary.

3 VARIATIONS ON A THEME Did you know there are other rosaries? Since the early days of the Church, religious orders have built on and modified this beautiful prayer to emphasize different devotions. Among them are the World Mission Rosary created by Blessed Fulton Sheen to encourage Catholics to pray for the mission work of the Church around the world. Other variations that use different prayers or numbers of prayers include the Seven Sorrows rosary, which honors the Blessed Mother’s sorrows, the Seraphic rosary, which honors her seven joys, and the Brigittine Crown Chaplet, which adds a sixth mystery honoring Our Lady as Queen of the Carmelite Order. — Catholic News Herald, OSV News, Catholic News Agency, USCCB

Scan the QR code for this week’s recommended prayers and activities

Diocesan calendar of events EVENTS WINE TASTING AFTERNOON: Join St. Mark Parish’s 45+ Singles for fellowship and fun starting at noon Saturday, Oct. 17, at Veronet Vineyards, 1549 Ike Brooks Dr., Kings Mountain. Meet at St. Mark at 11:15 a.m. to carpool or meet at the vineyard. Email 45plussingles@gmail.com with questions. 45+ SINGLES FELLOWSHIP EVENT: Join St. Mark Parish’s 45+ Singles for fellowship and fun 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at H2 Public House, 19906 N. Cove Road, Cornelius. Email 45plussingles@gmail.com with questions. PRAYER SERVICES TRIAD PRO-LIFE MASS AND ROSARY VIGIL: Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Benedict the Moor Church, 1625 E. 12th St., Winston-Salem, followed by a Rosary Vigil from 11 a.m. to noon across from Planned Parenthood, 3000 Maplewood Ave., Winston-Salem. Sponsored by Carolina Pro-Life Action Network. Details: triadprolifecatholics@gmail.com. VIGIL OF THE TWO HEARTS: Vigil begins with 8 p.m. First Friday Mass on Nov. 6, followed by Eucharistic Adoration, and concludes with 8 a.m. First Saturday Mass on Nov. 7. St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Details: www.defendthefamily.org/two-hearts.

Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., will participate in the following events over the coming weeks: OCT. 18 – 11 A.M. Sunday Mass St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Maggie Valley

OCT. 25 – 8:30 A.M. Sunday Mass St. Joseph Vietnamese Church, Charlotte

OCT. 18-23 Priests’ Retreat * Lake Junaluska

OCT. 25 – 3 P.M. Catholic Heritage Society Mass * St. Ann Church, Charlotte

OCT. 24 – 6 P.M. MiraVia Banquet * Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte

OCT. 26 – 6 P.M. Confirmation St. Barnabas Church, Arden

OCT. 29 – 5 P.M. St. Thomas More Society Red Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

OCT. 27 – 6 P.M. OCT. 30-31 Confirmation Georgia Martyrs Sacred Heart Church, Beatification Brevard Savannah, Georgia OCT. 28 – 6 P.M. Seminarian Education Fundraiser Dinner * St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

* Denotes a private event.

Our faith

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Catholic leaders share advice on how to talk about abortion

Pope Leo XIV

Faithful cannot accept oppression, injustice, pope says

hristians “cannot accept the oppression of the weak and the poor, nor the unjust structures that perpetuate conditions of dependence and injustice,” Pope Leo said at his weekly general audience. By worshiping Christ, “the Righteous One who died for the unrighteous,” the faithful are called to work for justice, peace and fraternity, the pope said Oct. 7 in St. Peter’s Square. (Editor’s note: The pope’s Oct. 14 audience was canceled due to his surgery.) “The Church, therefore, ‘has no fiercer desire than that in pursuit of the welfare of all she may be able to develop herself freely under any kind of government which grants recognition to the basic rights of person and family, to the demands of the common good,’” he said, quoting from the conciliar constitution, “Gaudium et Spes.” Just as Christ was incarnated to reconcile the world with God, the Church exists within the world as a “sign of the incarnation of God, in order to manifest His plan to make us all His children in one great human family,” Pope Leo said. Journeying through history alongside different peoples helps the Church understand more clearly the scope of its mission, he said. That mission begins with helping people “be attentive to the profound questions of life: those concerning our origin and our destiny, as well as those concerning the meaning of love and suffering.” “The logic of profit at all costs and the manipulation of information risk exerting undue pressure on people to conform to a lifestyle centered on the consumption of material goods, but our hearts are made to look upwards,” Pope Leo said. The Church’s mission also includes contributing to building the “earthly city,” he said, although its methods and aims are not primarily political. Rather, the Church bears witness to “faith and charity, together with commitment for justice, peace and fraternity.” To live the Gospel fully, Catholics must cooperate with the grace of the Holy Spirit so that their professed faith is reflected in their daily lives, the pope said. The discrepancy between professed faith and daily life, the council wrote, “deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age,” he recalled.

Daily Scripture readings

KATE QUIÑONES Catholic News Service

very October, the Catholic Church in the U.S. honors Respect Life Month and affirms the dignity of every human life, including unborn babies. While abortion remains a controversial issue, at its heart is the issue of how society views an unborn baby and by extension the relationship between the baby and his or her mother. It can be challenging to talk about, as emotions run high on both sides of the debate. As chemical abortion pills become increasingly accessible to more women and girls across the U.S., it raises the question: How do we discuss abortion as Catholics in a charitable and truthful way?

ACKNOWLEDGE FEAR

Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a senior ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center, said “the manner in which we speak is often more important than the details of what we say.” “In approaching conversations around abortion, it’s important to acknowledge the woman’s fears,” Father Pacholczyk said. “It feels like a ‘crisis’ pregnancy as her worries snowball and she asks herself a thousand painful questions: What will my friends think of me if they find out? Will this make it impossible to finish college? I feel so alone, ashamed and abandoned – why isn’t my boyfriend here to support me? “Acknowledging the woman’s fears by using sympathetic language can help open up a space of dialogue with advocates of abortion, as we seek to remind them of what a better response to an unexpected pregnancy should really look like,” he said.

BOB ROLLER | OSV NEWS

A woman holds up a pro-life sign ahead of the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., Jan. 24, 2025. The next march will be Jan. 22, 2027. Catholic leaders offer advice on how to broach what can be a challenging subject.

Respect Life Month theme The U.S. bishops, in their Respect Life Month resources, point to Mary as “our model for upholding the sanctity of all human life” – highlighting this year’s theme: “Mary, Mother of Life.” “In becoming the mother of Jesus, Mary becomes the mother of life,” the bishops wrote. “Mary’s acceptance in this unforeseen moment demonstrates how each of us must welcome the gift of new human life, even when that gift is unexpected or calls us to make sacrifices.” The bishops encourage Catholics to pray a Respect Life Novena Oct. 22-30. For more resources on Respect Life Month, visit www.respectlife.org.

AFFIRMING THE BABY

From a pro-life perspective, affirming the unborn child’s dignity is also a fundamental part of the conversation. “We need to be attentive when it comes to abortion ‘rights’ language, seeking to offer the clarity that there really is no such thing as ‘rights’ that allow someone to directly target and victimize innocent bystanders,” Father Pacholczyk said. “An unborn child in a crisis pregnancy situation is surely an innocent bystander, as he or she is as much a victim of difficult circumstances as is the mother. “The authentic ‘rights’ we should all be able to agree on include the right to receive help in parenting from society as new moms face the daunting and unexpected prospect of caring for and raising a child,” he said. Camille Pauley, who heads Healing the Culture, a Catholic organization that educates people on how to engage with difficult issues like abortion, spoke about what it means to show charity. “Charity is to act for the good of the

other person, who is made in the image and likeness of God,” Pauley said. “Persons who commit the evil of abortion are not ‘demonic monsters’ or ‘soulless savages.’ These are words that do damage to society and to ourselves when we use them. “Persons who have fallen into the sin of abortion are human beings who are either spiritually lost or have been deeply wounded, abandoned, betrayed, deceived and sometimes abused or coerced,” Pauley said. “At the same time, we shouldn’t confuse charity toward persons with charity

“Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” — Ephesians 4:32, part of the daily readings for Oct. 26, 2026

toward abortion,” Pauley continued. “‘Abortion,’ in the common usage of the term, is evil, wrong and sinful. It hurts women and unjustly kills an intrinsically valuable and sacred human being who has an inalienable right to life. To speak these words is an act of charity when they are used for the good of the other person.” She emphasized that the mom and baby shouldn’t be pitted against one another. “The language we use must affirm that the interests of the woman are the same as the interests of the child,” Pauley said.

Snap the QR code (right) to get the Mass readings for every day, in English or Spanish, online at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.

Our diocese 4

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Historic Asheville basilica reopens after renovations, looks ahead to national campaign CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

ASHEVILLE — Rain fell outside St. Lawrence Basilica Saturday, but for the first time in years, water was no longer a threat to the historic church. After a $7.7 million restoration to stop leaks and repair extensive damage, the 117-year-old Asheville landmark reopened its doors to a joyful celebration. Bishop Michael Martin joined parishioners, donors and community members Oct. 10 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of a massive renovation project to preserve one of Asheville’s most treasured landmarks. The “Restoration and Reopening” celebration came nearly a year after the renovation project officially launched last October. Although Masses and sacraments continued throughout construction, the basilica had been closed to visitors on weekdays. Now, its doors will be open daily once again. A national fundraising campaign continues to complete additional phases that could ultimately exceed $30 million. Funded by parishioners and donors from across the country, the first phase focused on stopping water intrusion and stabilizing the historic structure. Work included replacing the copper-clad roof on the basilica’s iconic elliptical dome, installing new storm drains, gutters and cornices, stabilizing masonry over one of the side chapels, restoring the dome’s oculus skylight, and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene. Plans to restore St. Lawrence Basilica date back two decades. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was designed and built under the supervision of renowned Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino Sr. His distinctive tile vaulting can also be seen in New York landmarks including Carnegie Hall, Ellis Island, Grant’s Tomb and Grand Central Station. “Just over a year ago I stood here and asked you all to look up at the dome and remember how

you felt the first time you entered the basilica,” said parishioner Mary Everist, president of the Basilica Preservation Fund. “This breathtaking space amazes all who walk through those doors. This basilica brings heaven and Earth closer … through its beauty and majesty and stands as a testament to our faith in the divine. Now, thanks to the hard work and tireless effort of so many people, this masterpiece will be here to inspire future generations as well.” Bishop Martin opened the celebration with a ceremonial ribboncutting. Monsignor Roger Arnsparger, the basilica’s pastor and rector, thanked everyone who contributed to the effort, saying donations of every size helped make it possible. “We took on something so wonderful to replicate what was done when the parish first took on building this beautiful church, back when there were so few Catholics in the area at the time,” he said. As when the work started, Monsignor Arnsparger held up a silver trowel that Guastavino had presented to the basilica’s first rector and that was used to seal the church’s cornerstone in 1906. Long-time parishioner Lonnie Gilliam, a founding member of the Basilica Preservation Fund, carried a box containing names of project donors that will be placed in the basilica’s archives. Bishop Martin recalled visiting the basilica in 2024 and seeing firsthand the damage that water had caused. He marveled at the progress and praised the community’s commitment to preserving the basilica for future generations. “You’ve taken something that has been given to us and you’ve allowed it to be a gift for the ages, entrusted it to the care of the future and allowed us to continue to find a home here where we worship, where we’re graced in so many ways and where we can find a connection with one another and with our God,” he said. Emmett Sapp, the Diocese of Charlotte’s director of

GABRIEL SWINNEY AND JASON BLANCO MEDIA | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Monsignor Roger Arnsparger, pastor of St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, holds the trowel used to seal the church’s cornerstone in 1906. The first phase of an ongoing $30 million renovation campaign included replacing the iconic copper-clad dome pictured on the cover.

Donors, basilica parishioners and members of the community join Bishop Michael Martin for a “Restoration and Reopening” celebration on Oct. 10, nearly a year after the renovation project launched. The program included music, prayer and speakers who talked about the basilica’s significance. Massgoers couldn’t help but look up at the oculus skylight and around at the windows. construction and real estate, said the work accomplished two critical goals. “Phase one had two jobs – stop the water and make this building safe – and that work is done,” he said. “Why does

this matter? For Asheville, this basilica is part of the skyline and the soul of downtown – a place of beauty and peace for people of every faith. After Hurricane Helene, a restored basilica on

this hill is a sign of hope. For our diocese, it is one of our great treasures – a spiritual home for the whole region.” BASILICA, SEE PAGE 24

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief

Our Lady of the Rosary celebrates 80 years LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

MiraVia hires former NIH, FDA executive CHARLOTTE — MiraVia, a safe haven for pregnant women, announces the hiring of Danielle Hangen as assistant director. Hangen comes to MiraVia with more than 20 years of experience in business development, management and health IT consulting. Earlier in her career, she led major healthcare technology initiatives for Novant Health and served as a project manager for the FDA. From 2021 to 2023, Hangen served as program manager for the National Institutes of Health, successfully leading a landscape analysis of consumer and clinician tools for Hangen improving access and enrollment in pediatric cancer clinical trials in support of the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative. Most recently, Hangen served as chief operating officer of DNA Hive, a biotechnology firm focused on solving complex healthcare challenges for both public and private sectors. “I am deeply honored to join MiraVia and have long admired the partnership with Belmont Abbey College and the tremendous impact this organization has made in our community,” Hangen says. She will manage the implementation of MiraVia’s strategic plan, including the development and execution of organizational goals, objectives, policies and procedures in the areas of program, administration and operations. — MiraVia

A new way to support Catholic schools and get a tax credit for 2027 Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, a new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit will give taxpayers an opportunity to support K–12 students while receiving a dollar-fordollar federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer. Married couples filing jointly may receive a combined credit of up to $3,400 when each spouse makes a qualifying contribution. Unlike a tax deduction, a tax credit directly reduces the amount of federal income tax owed. Under the program, taxpayers may make qualifying contributions to an approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), which will use those contributions to provide scholarships for eligible students. The Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Schools office is working with colleagues in the Diocese of Raleigh to establish the appropriate SGO structure. Within the SGO, each Catholic school will have a designated fund, allowing taxpayers to direct their contribution to a particular school. More details will be available soon. Taxpayers may contribute to an eligible SGO regardless of their state of residence, creating an opportunity for parents, grandparents and alumni across the country to support schools in the diocese. — Catholic News Herald

LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary Church celebrated 80 years of faith on the Oct. 7 Feast Day of their patroness. “We give thanks to the Lord for the last 80 years. It is obvious our patroness of devotion has been at hand in the lives of the people,” said Father Huver Navarro, the parochial administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary. The night was full of praise and festivities, including a Holy Hour and rosary, Mass, procession and reception. The Eritrean Catholic Community of Charlotte joined in as special guests. Father Navarro presided over the Mass alongside concelebrant and Ge’ez Rite priest Father Michael Debesay. In his homily, Father Navarro noted the history of the parish, which was established in 1946 by a congregation of just 15 families. He then shared his secret recipe for a strong spiritual life and a way to gain continual spiritual renewal for the next 80 years – a daily dose of the holy rosary. “In a very special way … she (Our Lady) accompanies each one of us,” Father Navarro said. “That is why here we promote this weapon of mass devotion, the rosary, which should be prayed by every child, by everyone, by every mother, and by every woman, because with that instrument … we will win the victory of our faith.” A new tabernacle greeted the full house of more than 200 parishioners; a gift bought with parishioners’s donations and funds raised by the Lady’s Guild. While it was blessed during the Mass, Father Navarro reminded his flock of its importance. “Why is the tabernacle there? Three reasons,” Father Navarro said. “To let us know the ever-present presence of the Lord in the temple… The consecrated Host will be there to take to the sick and the dying … and to come together to adore the Lord.” After Mass, the Ge’ez Rite community sang a traditional Eritrean song, and in return parishioners shared a tradition of their own, dancing the Matachines. The ritual is rooted in Mexico and has been integrated into the community. Barbara Seuberling, a parishioner since 1970, attended Mass with her greatgranddaughter. She was all smiles as she reminisced about the long line of children, grandchildren, and now her first greatgrandchild, who grew up in the parish.

LISA M. GERACI AND SERGIO LOPEZ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Huver Navarro presides over the 80th anniversary Mass alongside concelebrant and Ge’ez Rite priest Father Michael Debesay. The Eritrean Catholic Community of Charlotte were guests at Our Lady of the Rosary.

The celebration featured parishioners performing the Matachines, a sacred dance drama rooted in Mexican culture, and taking part in a procession for Our Lady of the Rosary. “It was always very small. When my children made their communions, there were only maybe two Catholics in the whole school. There weren’t many Catholics in North Carolina until a lot of people moved here,” Seuberling said. “Now, we have a very lively and thriving community… This is really revived. The Spanish community has made it much more vibrant.” Amanda Passmore, leader of the Lady’s Guild, celebrated with her two children, who are both altar servers and up well

past their bedtime. She helped host the reception, which included a smorgasbord of Hispanic and American food, and she looks forward to a future filled with faith. “I love our church. I love our people. I love the Church family. I love this,” Passmore said. “With the help of Father Huver and Father Oscar, we have really come together as an English- and Spanishspeaking congregation, and my hope is that our efforts will continue, all for and through the Lord.”

Ministry completes four years of healing abuse wounds through faith LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Parish hosted the fourth annual Healed and Restored gala Oct. 2. Healed and Restored is a non-profit dedicated to helping abuse victims founded by Elza Spaedy, a St. Mark parishioner and trauma survivor. The organization’s resources including counseling, retreats, self-care, life coaches and spiritual guidance – all helping survivors heal their wounds through a renewed view of themselves through Christ. “Why we are so successful and why the women are finding true healing and restoration is because we are guiding them to the real physician (Jesus) who can truly put back the broken pieces of our hearts and soul,” Spaedy said. During the gala, Father John Putnam,

St. Mark’s pastor and the ministry’s spiritual director, was acknowledged for his continued efforts. St. Ann Church, St. Mark Church and St. Matthew Church were also recognized for their contributions. More than 100 parishioners, clergy, clients and guests filled Kerin Hall to listen to Spaedy and keynote speaker Christine Wisdom, a St. Mark parishioner and counselor. Spaedy planned her speech weeks before but said God made some heavy tweaks as she went to Mass a few days before the event. She threw away her notecards and focused on the Gospel of John 4:1-42, which features the woman at the well. “I want to know that woman’s story. I have some questions for her,” Spaedy said. “How many unhealed wounds was this woman carrying around? How much unforgiveness was she holding onto? Just how heavy were the chains of shame she carried?”

Through it all, Jesus met that woman and helped her face her brokenness, she said. “Before you get healed you have to open yourself to Jesus,” Spaedy said. “His merciful love changed her life.” That same love transforms the lives of the hundreds of women Healed and Restored has helped over the past four years. Spaedy also unveiled her new book, “Your Story Matters,” an anthology of stories from the people she has helped. “Your Story Matters” is not just a title, but one of the three beliefs she strives to instill in the women she helps. The other two are: “Your wounds do not define you” and “You are heard and seen.”

More online At www.healedandrestored.org: Learn more about this ministry

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

A Vocation of love

Mass celebrates milestone wedding anniversaries

LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

HARLOTTE — St. Patrick Cathedral was full of love stories as more than 80 couples gathered for a special Wedding Anniversary Mass Oct. 11. Bishop Michael T. Martin presided over the Mass and commended the couples on their love deeply rooted in Christ. Ironically, that same weekend, a Vatican summit was addressing the global deterioration of matrimony and families due to the rise in cohabitation. Statistics from a 2026 Institute for Family Studies study seemingly agreed, reporting that the number of Catholic weddings has plunged by 74% since 1970. That same study did find that faith influences marital satisfaction, with 79% of Massgoing Catholics saying they were happily married, compared to 66% of non-religious couples. At St. Patrick Cathedral, however, married couples sat hand-in-hand, still thriving at milestone anniversaries of 25 and 50 years. Bishop Martin recognized some reasons why love appears skewed through a worldly lens. Those answers can be found in the day’s liturgical readings, he said in his homily. “‘Charm’ and ‘beauty’ … are fleeting,” the bishop said, referencing the first reading from Proverbs 31. “The world misses the depth of relationships when it gets simply caught up in charm and beauty,

PROVIDED; LISA M. GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Lorraine and John Lamonica are one of 80 couples who recently celebrated milestone anniversaries with Bishop Michael Martin. when they don’t carry through to the uncharming and unbeautiful times,” he said. The married couples present in the pews learned early on to make their unions less about charm and beauty and more

about God and the virtues mentioned in Colossians 3:12-17: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness. “If you don’t have compassion for your spouse, check your pulse,

your relationship is dead,” Bishop Martin said. “It begins with compassion. My heart gives and bleeds for you, that is the hallmark and the foundation,” he said. At that, he asked the couples to

turn to one another and say that they could love them even more. “Wherever you are in your current journey, if you think this is as good as it gets, you don’t know God,” he told them. “You can be more in love with your spouse.” His suggestions for a continued marriage full of God’s love were to pray together and share Jesus’ love with others – not by professing love for one another in the fruit section of the grocery store, he joked, but by being an example for other couples. “We have to be on fire by sharing the love of Jesus with the world,” he said. Attendees Lorraine and John Lamonica, married for 50 years and members of St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory, have been each other’s prayer warriors for years. They go to Mass every Sunday and sometimes more often, as she is an altar server. And they never miss weekly Eucharistic Adoration. Lorraine Lamonica credits the example of discipleship they received from their parents and the faith they have in God. “His parents were really religious. My parents were really religious,” she said. “My parents were married for over 50 years. Seeing their life rubs off on you seeing how happy they were.” Now, they are honored their granddaughter will follow in their footsteps, choosing to marry on their June 5 anniversary date. “Being married isn’t easy, but it all works, it all blends, but it is all under the umbrella of God,” Lorraine Lamonica said. “I really believe that because we had God first – it worked. Keep focused on you and each other, your children and God.”

Advice from married couples for married couples

1 2Keep3 God 4 first 5

Erbie and Kenneth Rose

Have K compassion

Be kind to one another

Have humility

enneth and Erbie Rose’s love story every minute of that prom night. Soon special secret, and laugh together at (some started charmingly enough, but they the young couple filled their nights of) Kenneth’s jokes. say what has kept it strong is their with cruising down Beatties Ford Road Compassion is what kept them bonded Sarah and faith Joe and Lamonica Melvin and Elease’55 Askew Luis Navarrete Coral Martínez Catholic love of God. in Kenneth’s Chevy. The music was as they changedand the diapers of their First meeting at an Our Lady of pumping, and when the traffic lights twin babies side-by-side in the middle Consolation Parish youth group function, turned red, they’d turn on their dance of the night, taught youth ministry the tall, smart-witted, cunning Kenneth moves in the middle of the street. They together, sang in the Gospel choir, and Rose became a fixture in Erbie’s mind – so drank shakes at South 21 and rode the co-chaired many parish ministries much so that when prom season rolled ferris wheel at Belmont amusement park. while raising their growing family. around later that year, she only had her On weekends, they took trips to Myrtle As a family, they would take the sights on one guy: Kenneth. Beach. Eucharist to the sick – bringing their “I did not hear from her anymore until After they met each other’s families, children along to play instruments to the spring,” Kenneth says. “One night Kenneth got down on one knee, and this entertain the nursing home residents, the Commodores were performing on our time Erbie was the one to say yes. She and later, their granddaughter who would campus, and they had a sing-along. I was joined OCIA classes, and soon they faced sing. up there on stage playing the bongos. And one another on the altar of Our Lady of Now in their 80s, they remain committed one of her friends came up there on the Consolation – the church where they met – to their faith and love for one another. stage and brought me a perfumed letter and professed their marriage vows. “God first, and then your spouse as your from Erbie inviting me to her high school Sixty years and four children later, they best friend to rely on and tell everything prom.” can finish each other’s sentences, still look to, compromise with,” Erbie emphasizes. It was a yes! Kenneth still remembers into each other’s eyes as if they have a “He’s my best friend.”

Lorra

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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arah and Joe Lamonica, who have been married 25 years, did not start dating with butterflies in their stomachs. Instead, their love grew out of a place of grief. The two met as a young widow and widower, both in a state of bereavement dealing with the death of their spouses. Sarah recalls, “It was nice to have someone to really talk to and who really understood me, and we both happened to be Catholic.” Joe was a New Jersey police officer, and Sarah worked with him. The two were paired up by co-workers and hit it off. They were in their 50s and had some children still home and others out of the house. The family dynamic blended well, however, and the two families came together in their brokenness. They moved to Hickory when Joe retired, because they wanted to be close to his brother John. Now, the two couples attend St. Aloysius Church together. Sarah says the key to being in a happy marriage is being there for one another and trusting each other.

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Lorraine and John Lamonica

hen Elease visited her cousin in Ohio for a job opportunity, she was introduced to Melvin Askew. It was a funny coincidence – they went to the same high school in Alabama and were reunited in a city far from home. Six months later, he proposed and they were married. Elease did not find a job on that visit to Ohio, but she did find the love of her life. “When we first got married, I didn’t really know how to cook. So he would step in and make dinner for the family,” Elease recalls. “Every morning, he would get up early and make breakfast while I helped get the kids ready for school.” Today, the Askews, who are members Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Charlotte, like to dance and still share recipes. The key to a great marriage, they say, is to keep God first and to keep laughing. “We enjoy doing things together and keeping laughter in the family. Most of all, our faith has kept us grounded, and being close to our God helped us make choices to strengthen our family,” she says.

oming out of a difficult break-up, Lorraine was done with men, but when she crossed paths with John Lamonica, she started to change her mind. They were both Italian Catholics from Brooklyn living in New Jersey. What were the chances? They got along well, and when she met his family, she immediately felt as if it was an extension of her own. John knew from the second he met Lorraine she was “the one,” and he announced it to everyone. Soon enough, he proposed. They were married in the Church and had one of those huge Italian weddings. They moved to Hickory and as they got settled, his mother and brother followed,

uis Navarrete and Coral Martinez knew each other since they were 10 and were friends long before they were spouses. Luis traveled out of town a lot for work, but whenever he returned home, he always found Coral. Over the years, their friendship grew into more. They were married in the Church, but at the time Luis wasn’t attending Mass regularly. “At one point I was working and was out of town often. I missed my family. I created a bad habit of spending time with myself,” Luis recalls. “That’s when we decided to start going back to church, and it opened my eyes.” Their faith has helped their marriage and has been a constant in the lives of their children. After 25 years, they are thriving at St. Joseph Parish in Kannapolis and are excited for the next 25 years in holiness. “Keep God in your marriage,” Luis advises. “If you don’t have God in your marriage, the foundation is not strong and can fall, but He makes everything strong.”

and so did Lorraine’s. John became a real estate agent, and through the years the growing Lamonica family started taking up entire pews at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory. “We had some issues...but it didn’t separate us,” Lorraine recalls. “My dad was sick for like 10 years, and we took care of him, and we were always there for him. We never split because of it. Trying to juggle a family and my father, then his mom got sick, and then my mom got sick.” Lorraine says the key to staying in a relationship for 50 years is working as a team, keeping the faith and avoiding worldly advice. She says, “It all works, it all blends, but it is all under the umbrella of God.”

More online At www.charlottediocese.org/faithlife/marriage-family-and-life: Find marriage resources

A day for couples: Register for Together in Holiness marriage conference LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

The Diocese of Charlotte invites married and engaged couples to take time out from their busy schedules and strengthen their vocations through the eighth annual Together in Holiness conference this fall. The event will be held in two locations – Charlotte and Greensboro – from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Nov. 21 and is hosted by the Marriage, Family and Life Office in partnership with the St. John Paul II Foundation. “The conference is a great example of coming together as the family of God,” said Brendan Dudley, the diocese’s marriage preparation, enrichment and family program director. “We hope this will be a springboard for all of our parishes to develop year-round marriage enrichment opportunities that will help couples grow in their love for Jesus.” This year’s conference theme is “United in Love” and will feature keynote speakers from national and local platforms ready to share lessons on love and faith. Sessions

will focus on three topics: Communion with the Holy Spirit, Finding common ground in Christ, and Forgiveness: the key to lasting unity.

The event will take place at St. Ann Church in Charlotte and at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro. Childcare will be available at both locations.

Local speakers Dr. Mario Sacasa, a marriage counselor with more than 20 years of experience, will be featured at the Greensboro program. Christine Wisdom, owner and executive director of Wisdom Integrative Counseling, will be featured at the Charlotte program. Both programs will also include two couples. Deacon Jason Bulman,a theologian, and his wife Rachel Bulman, a podcaster and writer, will discuss marriage and children, contributing stories of their life together raising six children. Educators and speakers Colin and Aimee MacIver, known for their theological approach to faith formation, will focus on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, the sacramental nature of marriage and discipleship. Mass will be celebrated during the programs, and there will be an opportunity for confession and Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day. St. Ann will provide headsets for Spanish speakers who will translate the presentations simultaneously. Register for the event online at www. forlifeandfamily.org/events/th26-cnc-e.

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PET BLESSINGS HONOR ST. FRANCIS

Blessing our best friends

n celebration of the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, parishes throughout the diocese hosted Blessings of Animals. The festivities were even more meaningful this year as the Church commemorates the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. PHOTOS BY TROY C. HULL, AMY BURGER, LISA GERACI AND PAUL DOIZÉ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD; AND PROVIDED

Deacon Rich McCarron blesses pets outside St. Mark Church in Huntersville (above), including Daisy, Father John Putnam’s beloved dog and the parish’s unofficial mascot (far left).

All animals are welcome at pet blessings, including this bunny at St. Mark.

(Clockwise from above) More than 100 pets and their owners gather at St. Matthew Church for the annual Blessing of the Animals. Father Herbert Burke leads the blessing in the parking lot near the parish’s statue of St. Francis, welcoming a lively assortment of dogs, cats and even several birds. Dogs are typically the most popular pet at St. Mark’s service, but this year some scaly reptilian friends joined as well. Some courageous cats brave a crowd of dogs at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte to be blessed by Father Richard Sutter.

One student presents his pet turtle for the blessing at Asheville Catholic School.

Preschoolers at St. Mark School continue the tradition of bringing their stuffed animals for a special blessing.

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

LIFE CHAINS ACROSS THE DIOCESE

(From left) Multiple generations take a stand for life outside St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem, as in many places across the diocese. No matter which language the signs are written in at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, they speak the universal language of love for both mothers and their unborn children.

(From left) Couples came out to stand for life together in Greensboro. In Charlotte, Father Patrick Cahill led a rosary while St. Matthew parishioners stood for life along busy city streets. Inside the parish hall, families were being given free supplies for their children.

Witnessing for life

aithful across the Diocese of Charlotte gathered Oct. 4 to kick off Respect Life Month by forming Life Chains – a “chain” of people praying as a public witness to the dignity of all human life. Father John Putnam opened the event at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, praying, “May our witness be true and faithful and may it be the instrument in which hearts are changed.” Around the diocese, people lined busy streets to witness for life. PHOTOS BY BINH-AN NGUYEN, GEORGIANNA PENN, AMY BURGER AND PROVIDED

In the Diocese of Charlotte, Father Christopher Angermeyer, Father John Putnam and Father John Cuppett prayed during the annual Life Chain Sunday at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, where more than 80 people lined Stumptown Road. Deacon Tom Martin and his wife Heather led the rosary.

(From left) Parishioners from Holy Cross Parish in Kernersville gather before Life Chain prayers begin, while a young St. Mark parishioner enjoys a higher view above the busy street.

Sacred Heart parishioners in Salisbury take their message to the streets.

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Waxhaw community petitions for new parish TRISH STUKBAUER tmstukbauer@rcdoc.org

WAXHAW — The Catholic Community of Waxhaw gathered at a historic site Oct. 3 as it wrote the next chapter in its own history. More than 220 people gathered at The Museum of the Waxhaws to sign a petition formally asking Bishop Michael Martin to establish a new parish. The petition was signed in front of the Dillon Wellhouse, where on May 29, 1840, delegates from Mecklenburg and Anson counties came together to ask North Carolina’s governor to establish Union County. “Once I heard this story, I said, ‘You mean there’s a spot right here that symbolizes where a group of people from this area wrote to a higher authority asking for establishment of something?’” said Father Benjamin Roberts, priest-in-charge for the community. “I said this is exactly where we need to do the petition for the parish.” Although this step might not have been technically necessary to establish a parish in Waxhaw – members of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte had already signed the initial petition to carve out a new parish from its territory, which includes Waxhaw – Father Roberts said the process itself was important. “This community needs to do this,” he said, noting that the effort had helped bring people together. “It’s just a beautiful new beginning,” agreed St. Matthew parishioner Carissa Scibor, who brought her family to sign the petition. “I think our churches should be a place where we go out and we spread.” As the petition noted, “With our signatures on the attached pages, we pledge our commitment to building up the Church in this community.” For Ann Whipp, who has been attending church in Waxhaw since she moved there from Lake Norman two months ago, it was vital to be present to add her signature. “I think it’s very important to build God’s kingdom and to be part of the community, and I wanted to be part of the community in Waxhaw,” she said. “It is the center of my life focused on Christ, and wherever He is we will go.”

PHOTOS BY TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Benjamin Roberts, priest-in-charge for the Waxhaw Catholic Community, reads the petition for a parish in front of the historic Dillon Wellhouse.

About 220 future parishioners signed the petition, including Father James Tweed and Father Roberts, who were the first to sign.

Something new has landed at the Holy Angels Café MCADENVILLE — Holy Angels has been keeping something under its wing, and it’s time to meet the new goose. Spruced Goose Station – a beloved local cafe created by and supporting local nonprofit Holy Angels, has reopened as goose + co. The newly modernized café experience has “fresh feathers,” but guests can still count on the same great coffee, delicious food and meaningful mission at the heart of it all. “The goose is still part of who we are, but the ‘+ co.’ speaks to what we hope happens here every day,” said Kerri Massey, Holy Angels’ president and CEO. “Come for the coffee and great food, but stay for the company – including our crew members, who make this place so special.” Holy Angels celebrated the grand reopening of goose + co. Sept. 30. The first 50 customers received a branded tote bag, and free coffee coupons were given out. Changes to the nest include new seating, community games and walls covered with original artwork created by Holy Angels residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We wanted this space and brand to better reflect the sense of community and belonging at the heart of all our sponsored businesses and programs,” Massey said. “We want everyone who walks through these doors to feel: You are seen. You are known. You belong.” Earlier this year, Holy Angels closed Bliss Gallery in Belmont and began exploring new ways to share resident artwork with the greater community. Now, the walls of goose + co. serve as a gallery showcasing pieces created through the organization’s Creative Arts program, where residents and participants develop new skills and express themselves in ways that are uniquely their own. “Seeing our residents’ art brightening the walls brings new meaning to the space,” Massey said. “Our crew members have always built wonderful relationships here, and now the artwork gives them another way to share their creativity with the community. We hope it will spark connection, start conversations and remind us all of the beauty, dignity and creativity within every person.”

Beloved Belmont eatery Spruced Goose Station has reopened as goose + co. with an expanded selection of original art and the same fabulous food and coffee. PHOTOS PROVIDED

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Remembering St. Francis of Assisi in prayer LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

CONCORD — People gathered at St. James the Greater Church Oct. 3 for a Transitus prayer service to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of the Order of Franciscan Seculars hosted the service. “This is a day to remember our seraphic father, Francis, and his time of passing,” said Fran Acosta, a Secular Franciscan. “It is an opportunity to celebrate our vocation and why we live the life that we chose to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis.” St. Francis remains the leader of a spiritual movement that Catholics around the world continue to follow 800 years later. The service was presided over by Father Stephen Hoyt, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, who, before serving as a diocesan priest, was a Capuchin Franciscan friar and now serves as the spiritual director of the Secular Franciscans, a religious order comprised of laypeople and clergy who want to live the Franciscan charism. During the entrance procession, a habit was placed on the steps of the altar. The habit represented “the little poor man” who entered heaven just as he entered religious life – stripped of all earthly possessions. Franciscan friars Father Casey Cole and Father Tito Serrano, who minister in the Charlotte area, also took part. Father Cole read from the Gospel of John 13:1-15, known as “The Washing of Feet,” which was the reading St. Francis requested on his deathbed. Father Cole said he knows why so many still make the pilgrimage to a small crypt in Italy to venerate the famous saint: his humility. “It is that humility that made him so attractive then and so inspiring to us today,” Father Cole said. “But humility is not simply littleness … not simply poverty, and certainly not passivity. … He was humble before God. … In fact, if we know him well, we know he was a bit fiery sometimes. He was a man with conviction that stood against the world, against sin, and against greed and had no problem talking about it.” Father Cole explained that even facing death

LISA M. GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

A habit on the altar steps at St. James the Greater Church in Concord represents St. Francis of Assisi entering heaven without any possessions, not even clothes. Secular Franciscans attend the service. or disapproval, St. Francis stood up for truth. “He had no problem correcting, no problem standing up for the truth. Not to put people down or make people feel bad but to inspire us to reach higher,” he said. “What good is it if we don’t correct someone that is in sin?” Afterward there was a reception with

refreshments – St. Francis’ favorite dessert, almond mostaccioli cookies.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Get the recipe for almond mostaccioli cookies

Walking with Mary SPRUCE PINE— Members of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine and its mission St. Bernadette in Linville took their devotion to the Blessed Mother to downtown streets for a candlelight rosary walk organized by Jacquelyne Hinshaw. Father Christopher Bond, pastor, joined 23 parishioners for the Oct. 2 walk that included kneeling to pray the rosary. Before the walk, Father Bond blessed monthly rosary organizer Laurie Wind’s vintage statue of Mary that had been repainted and updated by another parishioner. This was the parish’s second rosary walk and part of a larger outreach that includes parishioners meeting monthly at someone’s home to share a meal and pray the rosary. —Christina Lee Knauss PHOTOS PROVIDED

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iiiOctober 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Volunteers from Catholic Charities help people in need gain access to fruits, vegetables and other healthy food through outreach events around the diocese.

Bishop Michael Martin meets with the agency’s president and CEO Gerry Carter and Kerry Robinson, CEO of Catholic Charities USA.

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez, priest-secretary to Bishop Martin, joins in helping the agency get supplies to people in need after Hurricane Helene.

Parish engagement

Governing board

To more effectively deliver services and get more Catholics directly engaged in the agency’s work, the agency is increasing collaboration with parishes to coordinate care. “Without building the relationship with parishes, we will never get the engagement of the 600,000 Catholics in Western North Carolina, which is what we need,” Bishop Martin has said. To that end, regional directors have been meeting with pastors and parish leaders to determine what each community needs and how existing parish programs can better mesh with what Catholic Charities already offers.

Shifting away from an advisory board, the agency will appoint a governing board Nov. 3 that will have more authority to guide and implement changes. The board’s 15 members will serve threeyear terms. The board will have the power to approve policy, hire and evaluate the CEO, and set strategic plans and goals. This structure is in line with best practices used by other Catholic Charities agencies across the country.

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

HARLOTTE — As unprecedented growth puts increasing demands on Catholic Charities, the Diocese of Charlotte’s charitable service agency is making fundamental changes to meet needs across one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is restructuring and pursuing other changes that will give it greater autonomy, better facilities, deeper ties to parishes, and more guidance from communities across western North Carolina in identifying their most pressing needs. “We are transforming Catholic Charities to address the growing and changing needs across our 46 counties,” said Gerry Carter, president and CEO. “From our governance, to the needs we address, to the way we deliver our services – all of these things are changing. At the same time, the heart of Catholic Charities remains the same: We put our faith into action by serving people in need every day.” The transformation comes as Bishop Michael Martin learns more about the challenges and opportunities growth presents for the local church. Upon his

arrival in Charlotte in 2024, the bishop began consulting with other dioceses about ways to further empower and engage more people in the work of Catholic Charities. The agency drew national attention after Hurricane Helene, as it launched the largest humanitarian effort in the diocese’s history. “One goal for me is to highlight the fact that Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services are the two official social outreach arms of the Catholic Church,” Bishop Martin told the Catholic News Herald. “Catholic Charities works locally and CRS works internationally – and every Catholic is called to play a role in this social outreach. This is really at the heart of the Gospel.” To do so, the bishop and CHARITIES, SEE PAGE 13

PHOTOS PROVIDED AND CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The agency has helped to fulfill a wide variety of needs ranging from food and supplies to housing and mental health since Hurricane Helene swept through the mountains in 2024.

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October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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Bishop Michael Martin greets clients as they wait in line at the weekly food pantry held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in uptown Charlotte.

The agency’s volunteers and staff members brought truckloads of supplies to people around the diocese after Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina in 2024.

Clients who visit the agency’s food pantries around the diocese are greeted with a smile and understanding.

Community input

Facilities

To determine the most critical needs across the diocese, the agency surveyed more than 2,500 clergy, women religious, seminarians and lay people. The most mentioned issues were food insecurity, homelessness and mental health services. Using the survey results as a basis for continued discussion, agency employees will engage with parishioners in communities across the diocese to learn how to move forward and to address ongoing needs as they develop.

The agency’s expanding needs and outreach have caused it to outgrow its headquarters at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. The new board may decide to explore a free-standing headquarters facility as well as new and/or expanded service locations across the diocese that better reach people where they are. This effort will include strategic spending of an infusion of funds from the diocesan “Making Room Challenge,” including $19 million for new facilities and $10 million for an endowment.

CHARITIES FROM PAGE 12

Catholic Charities got mountains of donated supplies to people in need in the wake of Hurricane Helene and continues to do so as economic woes fuel demand in parishes including St. Mary Mother of God in Sylva.

Catholic Charities are seeking to leverage the engagement of the nearly 600,000 Catholics living in the diocese through parishes, schools, ministries and community outreach. Changes underway at Catholic Charities include: n Shifting away from an Advisory Board to appoint a Governing Board of Directors that will have more authority to guide, craft policy and implement changes, in collaboration with the bishop. n Deepening collaboration with parishes to engage more parishioners in – and increase the impact of – their charitable work. n Strategic spending of $19 million expected to be raised in the diocese’s “Making Room Challenge” to improve, expand and establish new service locations so Catholic Charities can serve more people. n Seeking more input from Catholics and nonCatholics across 46 counties to help set priorities and respond to the most relevant needs.

Catholic Charities reached out to children and adults at the 2026 Eucharistic Congress with a booth that featured fun games and prizes along with information on its services. “We want the laity to take more ownership of Catholic Charities as part of their lived experience in the parishes,” Carter said. Connecting the mission of Catholic Charities “with each and every parish in the diocese” can dramatically increase the agency’s impact, said Kerry Robinson, CEO of Catholic Charities USA, who recently visited the Diocese of Charlotte to learn more about growing demands on Catholic Charities. “The changing demographics and sweeping growth in this diocese is extraordinary,” she said. “It’s important to keep asking ourselves, ‘What is the mission of Catholic Charities, what is the need, and how can we ensure that we have the best structure and governance model in place to accomplish our mission and flourish in this important work?’” Gaining a perspective on what the most relevant needs are across the diocese is a crucial element of helping people become more engaged. The agency recently surveyed more than 2,500 priests, deacons, seminarians, women religious and lay people earlier this year. “Across the board, the most highlighted needs were food insecurity, homelessness and the need for mental health counseling,” Carter said. To more effectively deliver those services, the agency is increasing collaboration with parishes to coordinate care. Regional directors have been meeting with pastors and parish leaders to determine what each community needs and how CHARITIES, SEE PAGE 24

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bequest funds improvements, endowment for St. William

Leaders discuss Church’s role in immigration

COURTNEY MCLAUGHLIN catholicnews@rcdoc.org

MURPHY — For St. William Church in Murphy, help with overdue repairs and facility needs came in the form of a generous bequest of more than $850,000 from Joan Elizabeth Kennedy. “Joan Kennedy’s bequest to the parish of St. William is not only an extraordinary act of generosity,” said Father Augustine Ogar, M.S.P. “I consider it also as an invisible hand of God’s providence.” When Father Ogar arrived at St. William in 2025, securing funds to address overdue maintenance needs and support the parish’s growth were top priorities. Many facility projects had been deferred since the COVID-19 pandemic and needed immediate attention. Through the bequest, St. William has completed the refurbishment of the Seiglie Center – the parish’s education building – just in time for upcoming faith formation classes. Renovations included a new HVAC system and kitchen appliances. Other facility updates, including a kitchen upgrade in the Seiglie Center along with roof, flooring and sanctuary improvements, are also underway. “Most important of all, this bequest has allowed the parish to set up a new named endowment fund in Joan’s honor, to help secure its financial future,” Father Ogar added. Kennedy died on Nov. 1, 2024. She was known for her devout faith and generous spirit toward people and animals. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, she lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Florida before settling in Murphy – a place she considered the perfect spot to retire. She became active in her church and participated in the choir and ministries that reached out to the sick. Kennedy first learned about leaving a bequest at a diocesesponsored estate planning seminar in 2000, where she explored ways to support her parish through her estate. An estate planning seminar is an opportunity for parishioners to learn about ways to take care of themselves and loved ones through a properly executed will and estate plan. The Office of Planned Giving has hosted more than 150 such seminars across the diocese. “Joan then requested a follow up brochure from one of the ‘Your Legacy’ newsletter mailers in 2001,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. For more than 25 years, Kennedy received informational materials about the benefits of estate planning from the Office of Planned Giving, and she decided to turn that information into action. “Our diocese is blessed by the dedication of parishioners such as Joan Kennedy, who planned ahead by considering what they leave behind to the parishes and ministries that matter to them, said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “It is through the realization of Joan’s thoughtful and generous gift to St. William, that her legacy of

PHOTO PROVIDED

St. William parishioner Joan Elizabeth Kennedy left a bequest in her will to help the parish fund needed improvements and establish an endowment for future needs. faith will be remembered forever.” “St. William remains perpetually grateful for this bequest,” Father Ogar said.

Leave your legacy Stewardship is not a single act. It is a way of life – a grateful response to the gifts God has entrusted to us. Your legacy may come through a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc, or Heidi Kelley at 704-370-3348 or hmkelley@rcdoc.org.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Leaders from the Diocese of Charlotte participated in “Deepening Our Moral Witness,” a regional gathering in eastern Tennessee hosted by the dioceses of Knoxville and Lexington and the Hope Border Institute. Six bishops met with diocesan and immigrant non-profit leaders Sept. 30 to discuss ongoing immigration enforcement actions, Church teaching on migration and best practices to support migrants affected by mass deportation policies. The Charlotte diocese’s Communications Director Liz Chandler, Hispanic Media Coordinator Brian Segovia and Hispanic Ministry Director Steven Samol participated in seminars on local and global Church initiatives defending the dignity of migrants, immigrant testimonies, effective communication strategies, and diocesan and parish planning. Diocesan leaders from across the South donned pins with the message “We Stand with Immigrants” and joined a press conference led by the bishops of Knoxville, Lexington and Memphis where they spoke in support of migrants. “We have a responsibility to care for the dignity of each and every human person and to respect the rights and due process that are due to citizens and anyone who lives on U.S. soil,’ said Knoxville Bishop Mark Beckman. “What we see needs a response not only of compassion, but also of justice. Let’s work together today to build a world where everyone has a home.” Samol said the press conference was a powerful example of the Church’s prophetic voice on the moral issue of human dignity. “What challenged me was not necessarily a change in my concern for migrants, but a deeper understanding that the Church’s response must begin with the person, not the policy,” Samol said. Samol saw the conference as a calling to dive deeper into learning about the immigrant experience in the diocese. “These are not anonymous statistics. They are parishioners, volunteers, parents, friends and neighbors. Sharing their stories can help our communities recognize the human impact of these realities and encourage greater solidarity and prayerful support,” Samol said. “Migrants are not an issue to be managed, but members of the human family.” — Catholic News Herald

The saints come marching in CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Parish had a heavenly time Oct. 3 with its annual parish festival and parade of saints. St. Francis made an appearance for his feast day, walking with his friends St. Therese, St. Cecilia, St. Clare and St. Benedict. Father Timothy Reid, St. Ann’s pastor, declared this year’s saint costume winner St. Denis – the bishop who held his severed head in his hands, reportedly walking and preaching for miles before collapsing after his beheading. Second-place winner went to St. George and his brother, who was cleverly recruited to be his dragon. After all the saints marched in, the day was filled with carnival rides, food and fun. PHOTO PROVIDED

Our schools

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Villains celebrate having a ball in their own court LISA GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School’s girls tennis team’s first home match on new tennis courts was more than a happy occasion – it was a milestone three years in the making. A Sept. 30 ribbon-cutting was held for the $6 million project that added six new tennis courts, a new practice field and outdoor restrooms. “We are celebrating 25 years in Kernersville this year, and it is really special to see your faces, the same ones that have been with us throughout this whole time and process,” President Jared Rashford said to the players, students, staff and donors who attended the event. “This marks the completion of our first major capital improvements to the campus in that 25-year period.” Father Christopher Brock, campus minister, blessed the new courts before a real battle ensued between two current Villains players and state champions – Lucia Neves, a junior, and Luke Ansari, a senior. Neves won, but not for the last time that night. After the exhibition match, the entire girls team fought hard to earn their first victory on their new home court against rivals South Davidson High School. This project may be the school’s first, but it will not be the last, Rashford said. “Other items in future plans include the construction of a new press box with a concession stand, construction of

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Bishop McGuinness High School unwraps the first major capital improvements in the school’s history as Father Christopher Brock, campus minister, helps students and staff cut the ribbon and then blesses six new tennis courts and a practice field. visitor bleachers and expanding our home section,” Rashford said. “And, in the main footprint of the building, we are looking at opportunities to expand some of the usable spaces for our St. Gabriel program.” The campus, which has seen its largest

enrollment at 502, up 18% from five years ago, made some additional improvements over the summer, including renovating the chapel and redoing the floor, plus adding bleachers in the gym. “As we enter our 25th year here and

look at the legacy we were given, we are building on that legacy through these projects,” Rashford said. “They are a testament to the school’s commitment to continue to build upon the solid foundation.”

Praying a ‘living rosary’ CHARLOTTE — Students at St. Ann School gathered in prayer for a living rosary Oct. 8, celebrating their Catholic faith and honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. During the schoolwide assembly, students participated in a “living rosary” as the school choir filled the gathering with sacred music. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, one decade of the Rosary was recited in Spanish. The gathering offered students the opportunity to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary while celebrating the diverse languages and cultures that make up the universal Catholic Church. (At right) The Catholic News Herald’s photographer Troy Hull had a little extra help from St. Ann student Charlie Weiss, who stepped in as photography assistant to capture photos of his classmates (published at left and online). TROY C. HULL AND CHARLIE WEISS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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Líderes diocesanos del sur debaten el papel de la Iglesia ante medidas de control migratorio BRIAN SEGOVIA bmsegovia@rcdoc.rg

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — El 30 de septiembre, líderes de la Diócesis de Charlotte participaron en el encuentro regional “Profundizando nuestro testimonio moral”(Deepening Our Moral Witness), celebrado en el este de Tennessee y organizado por la Diócesis de Knoxville y Lexington y el Hope Border Institute. Seis obispos se reunieron con líderes diocesanos y organizaciones sin fines de lucro que trabajan con inmigrantes para dialogar sobre las actuales medidas de control migratorio, las enseñanzas de la Iglesia sobre la migración y las mejores prácticas para apoyar a los migrantes afectados por las políticas de deportación masiva. Liz Chandler, directora de Comunicaciones de la Diócesis de Charlotte; Brian Segovia, coordinador de Medios Hispanos; y Steven Samol, director del Ministerio Hispano, participaron en seminarios sobre iniciativas locales y globales de la Iglesia en defensa de la dignidad de los migrantes, testimonios de inmigrantes, estrategias eficaces de comunicación y planificación diocesana y parroquial. Líderes diocesanos de distintas partes del sur del país se unieron a una conferencia de prensa encabezada por los obispos de Knoxville, Lexington y

BRIAN SEGOVIA | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

La rueda de prensa durante el encuentro del 30 de septiembre reunió a miembros del clero, religiosos, trabajadores de Catholic Charities y personal de la Diócesis bajo el lema “Estamos con los inmigrantes”, para apoyar la dignidad de las personas migrantes. Memphis. Durante el encuentro, portaron prendedores con el mensaje “Estamos con los inmigrantes”(We Stand with Immigrants), denunciaron la crueldad de las actuales medidas de control migratorio y expresaron su apoyo a los migrantes. “Tenemos la responsabilidad de velar por la dignidad de todas y cada una de las personas y de respetar los derechos y el debido proceso que corresponden tanto a los ciudadanos como a cualquier persona que viva en territorio estadounidense”,afirmó

el reverendísimo Mark Beckman, obispo de Knoxville. “Lo que estamos viendo requiere una respuesta no solo de compasión, sino también de justicia. Trabajemos juntos hoy para construir un mundo donde todos tengan un hogar”. Samol afirmó que la conferencia de prensa fue un poderoso ejemplo de la voz profética de la Iglesia ante la cuestión moral de la dignidad humana. “Lo que me hizo reflexionar no fue necesariamente un cambio en mi preocupación por los migrantes, sino una comprensión más profunda de que la respuesta de la Iglesia debe comenzar por la persona, no por las políticas”, expresó Samol. Samol señaló que interpretó la conferencia como un llamado a profundizar en el conocimiento de las experiencias de los inmigrantes dentro de la diócesis, con el fin de brindarles un mejor apoyo. “No se trata de estadísticas anónimas. Son feligreses, voluntarios, padres y madres de familia, amigos y vecinos. Compartir sus historias puede ayudar a nuestras comunidades a reconocer el impacto humano de estas realidades y fomentar una mayor solidaridad y un apoyo acompañado de la oración”, afirmó Samol. “Los migrantes no son un problema que haya que gestionar, sino miembros de la familia humana”.

El obispo Martin participa en una conferencia de liderazgo

SERGIO LOPEZ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Reunión para celebrar MOUNT AIRY — El padre Peter Nouck, párroco de la Iglesia Holy Angels, se reunió con los feligreses el domingo 4 de octubre para celebrar la fiesta patronal de la parroquia con canciones infantiles, comida deliciosa y una tarde de convivencia.

Del 23 al 25 de septiembre, seis líderes del Ministerio Hispano y el obispo de Charlotte, Michael Martin, OFM Conv., participaron en el Encuentro Regional de SEPI, celebrado en San Agustín, Florida. La conferencia del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste, más conocido por sus siglas en inglés, SEPI, tiene como propósito formar líderes a través de programas de capacitación que les permitan servir mejor a sus comunidades de fe, fomentar la unidad entre las diferentes diócesis e impulsar la evangelización. Este año, con la participación del obispo Martin, se abordaron temas como la presencia hispana/latina y el futuro de la Iglesia, las buenas prácticas en la pastoral hispana, la integración y la unidad en la pastoral intercultural, y la salud mental y el autocuidado pastoral, entre otros. — Brian Segovia FOTOS PROPORCIONADAS

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

El arzobispo: “Argentina herida” en el santuario de Nuestra Señora de Luján

Papa León XIV

Los fieles no pueden aceptar la opresión ni la injusticia

l creyente “no puede aceptar la opresión de los pequeños y de los pobres, ni tampoco aquellas estructuras injustas que perpetúan las condiciones de dependencia y de injusticia”, afirmó el Papa León XIV en su audiencia general. Al adorar a Cristo, “el Justo que murió por los injustos”, los fieles están llamados a trabajar por la justicia, la paz y la fraternidad, dijo el Papa el 7 de octubre. “La Iglesia, por lo tanto, ‘nada desea tanto como desarrollarse libremente, en servicio de todos, bajo cualquier régimen político que reconozca los derechos fundamentales de la persona y de la familia y los imperativos del bien común’”, dijo, citando la constitución conciliar “Gaudium et Spes”, mientras continuaba su serie de catequesis sobre los documentos del Concilio Vaticano II. Así como Cristo se encarnó para reconciliar al mundo con Dios, la Iglesia existe en el mundo como un signo “de la encarnación de Dios para manifestar su plan de hacernos a todos hijos suyos en una única gran familia humana”, dijo el Papa León. Recorrer la historia junto a diferentes pueblos y culturas ayuda a la Iglesia a comprender más claramente el alcance de su misión, afirmó. Esa misión comienza por ayudar a las personas a “prestar atención a las preguntas profundas de la vida: aquellas sobre nuestro origen y nuestro destino, así como aquellas sobre el sentido del amor y del dolor”. “La lógica del beneficio a toda costa y la manipulación de la información corren el riesgo de ejercer una presión indebida para que las personas se adapten a un estilo de vida centrado en el consumo de bienes materiales, pero nuestro corazón está hecho para mirar hacia lo alto”, dijo el Papa León. La misión de la Iglesia también incluye contribuir a la construcción de la “ciudad terrenal”, señaló, aunque sus métodos y objetivos no son principalmente políticos. Más bien, la Iglesia da testimonio de “la fe y de la caridad, junto con el compromiso por la justicia, la paz, la fraternidad”. Para vivir plenamente el Evangelio, los católicos deben cooperar con la gracia del Espíritu Santo para que la fe que profesan se refleje en su vida cotidiana, dijo el Papa León, continuando con sus reflexiones sobre la constitución “Gaudium et Spes”. La discrepancia entre la fe profesada y la vida cotidiana, señaló el concilio, merece ser considerada “como uno de los más graves errores de nuestra época”. Vivir la fe en la sociedad contemporánea también exige que los pastores, los teólogos y los fieles disciernan qué aspectos de las culturas modernas merecen ser tomados en cuenta sin diluir el cristianismo para hacerlo más atractivo, afirmó el Papa León. “Esto requiere un ánimo equilibrado y libre de las modas culturales, capaz de mirar al mundo en un modo positivo y, al mismo tiempo, firme en la custodia y la presentación del mensaje evangélico en su integralidad”, dijo.

DAVID AGREN OSV News

l arzobispo de Buenos Aires, Jorge García Cuerva, hizo un llamado a la unidad y describió al país como herido y profundamente dividido, antes de la visita del papa León XIV a Argentina. “Nuestra patria necesita muchos abrazos”, dijo en su homilía del 4 de octubre, mientras celebraba la misa frente a la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Luján, hogar de la patrona nacional, al concluir una peregrinación arquidiocesana anual. El país necesitaba “abrazos de perdón ante tanto desprecio e insultos; abrazos de solidaridad ante tanta indiferencia; abrazos de reconciliación ante tanta pérdida; abrazos profundos —no meramente formales—, abrazos desde el alma”, dijo a los peregrinos, muchos de los cuales habían caminado unos 60 kilómetros desde el santuario de San Cayetano, en Buenos Aires, hasta Luján. “Así como curamos nuestras ampollas, Madre, queremos sanar los vínculos entre nosotros. Las heridas causadas por el desprecio, la intolerancia y la violencia física y verbal ya están supurando y, al parecer, el corazón del pueblo argentino se está infectando”, subrayó el prelado de Buenos Aires. La peregrinación juvenil atrae participantes de todo Argentina desde 1974 y reunió a unos 2,7 millones de personas en 2026, según el gobierno de la provincia de Buenos Aires. El arzobispo García Cuerva describió el acto de peregrinar como “una expresión de vida” que ofrecía enseñanzas para tiempos difíciles.

EL PAPA LEÓN LLEGARÁ A ARGENTINA

La peregrinación de 2026 tuvo lugar apenas un mes antes de la visita del papa León XIV, quien llegará a Argentina el 8 de noviembre para una estadía de cuatro días, como parte de su primer viaje apostólico a América. El viaje comenzará el 6 de noviembre en Uruguay y concluirá el 17 de noviembre en Perú, donde el papa León anteriormente sirvió como misionero agustino y obispo. Al cierre de esta edición, no estaba claro cómo, o si acaso, la cirugía del papa afectaría el viaje previsto. Los medios argentinos cubrieron ampliamente la peregrinación, con imágenes que aparecieron en canales de noticias y redes sociales de peregrinos empapados, con ponchos de plástico, avanzando bajo condiciones climáticas adversas hacia Luján, donde el cielo se despejó durante la noche para la misa de la madrugada. Paulina Cabeza, de 19 años, peregrina de la provincia de Entre Ríos, al norte de Buenos Aires, esperaba que llegar al santuario le produjera “una enorme sensación de alivio” cuando emprendió el camino hacia Luján. “Te encuentras frente a este momento en el que finalmente llegas. Es una experiencia emocional. Te dices: ‘Lo logré’, porque has pasado todo el año preparándote para esta caminata, viviendo tantas cosas a lo largo del camino. Cuando finalmente llegas, es como una liberación”, dijo Mariano Gauna, de 44 años, trabajador de la construcción que realizaba su décima peregrinación a Luján. Muchos de los peregrinos hablaron de sus razones personales para participar, concentrándose en la fe más que en la política, aunque también hablaron de las dificultades que enfrenta Argentina, donde casi un tercio de la población vive en la pobreza y las divisiones políticas siguen siendo profundas.

EL PAÍS ESTÁ EN UNA ‘SITUACIÓN DIFÍCIL’

“El país está en una situación difícil en este momento”, dijo Martín Detrueba, de 57 años, trabajador metalúrgico que ha realizado la peregrinación todos los años desde 1989. “A veces se culpa a un gobierno y luego a otro, pero las cosas han ido mal durante varias administraciones. No se puede responsabilizar solamente a uno; esto involucra a muchos gobiernos”. Detrueba esperaba con entusiasmo la visita del papa León, describiéndola como “una alegría que venga un papa”. Pero añadió: “Personalmente, me duele que Francisco no haya venido, porque con Francisco... ya hemos caminado juntos”, dijo, explicando que el difunto papa siempre participaba en la peregrinación a Luján cuando era arzobispo de Buenos Aires. Gran parte de la atención de los medios se centró en el arzobispo García Cuerva, quien dijo a medios argentinos el 2 de octubre que el papa León encontraría “una Argentina herida, una Argentina dividida”, un país con una famosa “grieta”, durante su visita. Según los analistas, la grieta divide políticamente a Argentina entre sectores peronistas y antiperonistas. “Al papa lo espera una Argentina en crisis, con una gran cantidad de hermanos y hermanas muy pobres”, dijo el arzobispo García Cuerva. “Una Argentina donde el desprecio

ANTONIO BECERRA PEGORARO, REUTERS | OSV NEWS

Un peregrino frente a la Basílica de Luján, en Argentina, en las afueras de Buenos Aires, el 4 de octubre, durante la procesión anual en honor de Nuestra Señora de Luján, antes del viaje del papa León al país.

¿Quién es Nuestra Señora de Luján? Nuestra Señora de Luján, es patrona de Argentina, Paraguay y Uruguay. La imagen original es pequeña y sencilla, de solo 38 cm de altura, realizada en arcilla cocida y representa a la Inmaculada Concepción. El origen de la advocación se remonta a 1630. Antonio Farías Sáa, un hacendado portugués que vivía en Santiago del Estero, quiso erigir en su estancia una capilla en honor de la Virgen. Solicitó a un amigo que le enviara una imagen de la Inmaculada Concepción de María. Para una mejor elección, su amigo le envió dos imágenes. En el mes de mayo de 1630, las imágenes de la Virgen llegaron a Buenos Aires y fueron trasladadas en un carruaje. Luego de tres días de viaje pararon en la ciudad de Luján para descansar. Al día siguiente estaban dispuestos a continuar pero los bueyes no querían moverse. Después de intentos fallidos, bajaron uno de los cajones y los bueyes iniciaron la marcha sin dificultad. Intrigados por el contenido del cajón, encontraron al abrirlo una imagen pequeña de la Inmaculada Concepción. Los creyentes interpretaron el hecho como providencial, y entregaron la imagen para su custodia a don Rosendo de Oramas. La segunda imagen, que representaba a María con el niño en sus brazos, llegó a destino, y en 1670 se le construyó un santuario donde se la veneró bajo la advocación de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación. El primer santuario dedicado a Nuestra Señora de Luján se inauguró el 8 de diciembre de 1763. — ACI Prensa

y la intolerancia están a la orden del día”, y un país donde “un porcentaje muy grande de nuestros compatriotas” está “luchando”, afirmó el arzobispo, subrayando que sus compatriotas “han vivido en una profunda pobreza durante muchos años”. El destacado comentarista político Carlos Pagni pronosticó una visita potencialmente complicada para el papa León, cuyo predecesor, el papa Francisco, nunca regresó a su país natal después de ser elegido en 2013.

Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

U.S. bishops call for prayer and action beyond Mental Health Sunday FRANCESCA POLLIO FENTON Catholic News Agency

Every year, Catholics are invited to pray for those struggling with mental health and reflect on how to better engage the issue, which affects many people around the world, on Mental Health Sunday, which fell on Oct. 11 this year. However, there are things that Catholics can do beyond the actual day. Mental Health Sunday is part of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, a year-round initiative of the U.S. bishops that encourages the faithful to respond and bring awareness to the growing mental health crisis in the country. While the campaign is a year-round initiative, a special emphasis is placed on the issue Oct. 10-18. During that week, the Novena for Mental Health is prayed. The novena includes themes related to mental health to reflect on and uses a pray, learn, act structure, which means that each day includes a prayer, a section where participants can learn about mental health issues and about those suffering, and a call to action where participants are encouraged to get involved. The petitions in the novena include praying

for the removal of stigma, the mental health ministry, families, youth and young adults, childhood, the effects of racial discrimination, poverty, suicide awareness and grief. Parishes and dioceses are being encouraged to launch a mental health resource or provide resources in the narthex after Masses, take part in the novena as a parish community, invite parishioners to bring their petitions about mental health issues to pray as a community, include mental health issues during the Prayer of the Faithful at all Masses, or offer a blessing for those who work in mental health ministries.

The Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, is answering this call through the launch of its Mental Health Ministry, which was introduced to the diocesan community on Oct. 10. Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrated Mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus and recognized individuals with mental health challenges, caregivers and mental health professionals. Pope Leo XIV also called upon the faithful to join in prayer during the month of October for mental health ministry. “Melancholy, bad character, confusion of senses – today, we understand that behind these old labels lies a deep, silent suffering not only of those affected by mental disorders but also of their loved ones and their communities,” Pope Leo said in a video released Oct. 1 on X. He added: “We live in a world full of tensions, and even as solutions grow so does the number of people in crisis. This October, let us pray for the mental health ministry – an urgent and evermore-needed service in our Church and in the world.” In the full video shared on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network website, Pope Leo recited an original prayer written specifically for this month’s prayer intention.

Resources n The Church in the United States is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, encouraging all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle. Novena prayers, videos on awareness, discussions with experts and more are available on the USSCB’s website at www. usccb.org/mental-health n Locally, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has mental health counseling resources available on a sliding scale. Learn more at ccdoc.org/ counseling. n Watch the pope talk about his prayer intention at www.popesprayer.va/ praywiththepope.

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief USCCB president condemns plan to livestream execution WASHINGTON, D.C. — After Pentagon officials said they planned to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad in December, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops denounced the plan as “barbaric.” President Donald Trump recently approved the execution by firing squad of Hasan, the former U.S. Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Oct. 8 in an interview with the pro-Trump TV outlet Real America’s Voice News that the execution would take place at Fort Hood on Dec. 3, and that it would be made public. He later confirmed his comments on X. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the USCCB, said in an Oct. 9 statement that he learned of the plans “with shock and great sorrow.” “Our God is the God of life,” Archbishop Coakley said. “In no way can Hassan’s actions be condoned, but this decision is a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered. The word of God exhorts us: ‘do not repay anyone evil for evil’ (Romans 12:17). The public execution even of one who has done grave harm will only further undermine the moral fabric of our nation and be a blight on the conscience of its people.” If carried out, Hasan’s execution would mark the first time U.S. officials livestreamed an execution to the public and the first public execution in the U.S. since 1937.

Online courses help comfort those struggling with mental health VATICAN CITY — A U.S.-based Catholic

association dedicated to mental health ministry released two online resources to help lay Catholics understand the signs of struggles and how to accompany those seeking help. Sometimes a loved one or acquaintance seems “irritable, emotional or just absent from things they used to love. But you’re not sure what’s wrong. Most of us don’t. We weren’t trained to recognize mental illness,” a trailer for the free video courses said. “We want to help. But we’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, making it worse,” it said, especially by offering the usual platitudes: “Time heals all wounds”; “God has a plan”; and “God never gives us more than we can handle.” Different members of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers presented the trailer for the courses at Vatican News headquarters Oct. 10. The news conference was part of its international meeting being held in Rome and at the Vatican, dedicated to “A Healing Presence: The Church’s Call to Mental Health Ministry.” The courses are not meant to train people how to diagnose problems or to provide clinical treatment or advanced spiritual care. They merge faith resources with the skills to recognize, speak about and support people showing signs of a mental health struggle. The new videos are at catholicmhm.org/act-videos.

Study: FDA allowed mail-order abortion pills without safety proof A study by scholars at the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute found that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “lacked sufficient evidence” to remove the in-person abortion pill dispensing rule. Published in Issues in Law and Medicine, a journal of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, on Oct. 6, the report found that the FDA’s studies on the abortion pill didn’t reflect realworld conditions of abortion pill use. According to the article, the FDA relied on analysis from groups with political incentives. Additionally, the FDA used “inadequate” adverse event reporting, authors Zachery Sluzala and Ingrid Skop found. “When federal agencies remove regulations designed to safeguard patient health, those decisions should be grounded in evidence that reflects real-world practice,” Skop, an OB-GYN

who works for the Lozier Institute, said in a statement. “Our analysis found that the FDA’s review fell well short of that standard. Safety decisions should reflect the conditions in which women are using the drugs, not tightly controlled study conditions that fail to mimic real-world use.” Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame coach who led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship in 1986 and later coached the New Orleans Saints, stands on the sidelines in an Aug. 31, 1997, NFL football game. Ditka, who was open about his Catholic faith, died on Oct. 9. TED REISINGER, REUTERS | OSV NEWS

NFL legend Mike Ditka lived his Catholic faith Former professional football coach Mike Ditka, a practicing Catholic who occasionally served

as lector at the 7 a.m. team Mass on game-day Sundays during his decade leading the Chicago Bears, died Oct. 9 at 86. Ditka credited his commitment to his Catholic faith to his convert mother and the nuns of his parochial school in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. “Growing up, the most important thing was the sacraments with my family,” Ditka told an interviewer with the website “One Peter Five” in 2018. “We loved everything about the faith. Going to Catholic school and learning the faith, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” “I don’t care how many times I got hit by a nun,” Ditka said, “it was good for me.” Ditka made millions as a pitchman after he left football, and he used some to help others. “Ditka was very supportive of Misericordia and other charities that supported children with special needs and disabilities,” said Mary FioRito, an attorney and Cardinal Francis George Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. “He spoke at fundraisers, and surprised observers could catch him privately visiting with residents he knew by name,” reported the suburban Chicago Daily Herald. Ditka was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. — OSV News

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope’s recovery on track after lung cancer surgery COURTNEY MARES OSV News

ROME — Pope Leo XIV is recovering as expected after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said Oct. 14, as U.S. Catholic leaders and longtime friends of the pope expressed concern for his health but confidence that his illness would not deter him from carrying out his mission. Pope Leo underwent surgery Oct. 13 at Rome’s Gemelli hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after medical tests detected a suspicious growth that was later confirmed to be cancerous. The removed tissue was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in specialized glandular cells. His first night in the hospital passed peacefully, and doctors conducted blood tests and a chest X-ray as scheduled on his first day of recovery, according to Vatican communiques released Oct. 14. “The results confirm a normal postoperative course: the values are within the expected range for the type of procedure performed,” the Vatican said in an afternoon announcement relaying the doctors’ findings. The pope also began respiratory therapy, walked around his hospital room and ate, the Vatican said. Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer following a 90-minute surgery on Oct. 13 during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung. Augustinian Father John Lydon, a longtime friend of Pope Leo, told Catholic News Service Oct. 14 that he was concerned for the pope’s health but had confidence in his doctors and was praying that chemotherapy would not be necessary. Here in Charlotte, Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., echoed the thoughts

SIMONE RISOLUTI, VATICAN MEDIA | OSV NEWS

Pope Leo XIV arrives at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital Oct. 13, ahead of his surgery that afternoon to remove a lung nodule. of Catholics everywhere. “The Diocese of Charlotte offers its prayers and support for Pope Leo,” Bishop Martin said. “We are grateful for the excellent medical care the Holy Father is receiving, and we join Catholics of the diocese and all people of goodwill to support him in this time. We are looking forward to his speedy recovery.” Augustinian Father Peter Donohue, president of Villanova University, also told CNS that he did not expect Pope Leo’s medical condition to diminish his determination to pursue his priorities.

“Knowing what he’s like, I don’t think they’ll stop him,” Father Donohue said. Pope Leo was expected to remain for one week of recovery in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican has canceled all of the pope’s audiences through Oct. 20.

TESTS AND PRAYERS

According to Vatican News, postoperation tests will be conducted on the removed tissue in the coming days. The hospital’s chapel was overflowing with people on Tuesday evening as Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar

general of the Diocese of Rome, led a rosary for the pope’s healing as people anxiously awaited news. Among those who came to pray was Sister Alphonsa Manikkathan from India’s state of Kerala and her fellow sisters from the Daughters of Divine Providence. “We pray for the pope every day, not only today,” Sister Alphonsa said. “Jesus said wherever two or more are gathered and pray for something, he will give. So for his fast recovery, we are praying.” Pope Leo’s operation took place just days after he first revealed to the world that he needed surgery at the end of his Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 11. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the pope announced that doctors had discovered a nodule in his lung during a medical examination, adding that the growth was detected “at a very early stage” and it was “wellcontained.” “The doctors believe intervention is advisable, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed,” Pope Leo said. Pope Leo is not the only Holy Father to have had a part of his lung removed. Pope Francis had part of his right lung taken out when he was about 21 due to a severe pulmonary infection. This was the second hospitalization in 71-year-old Pope Leo’s life, according to a recently published biography. Shortly after his election, Pope Leo said that he had only been hospitalized once in his life before becoming pope when he caught typhoid fever after recently arriving as an Augustinian missionary in Peru in 1985.

Stay up to date on the pope At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read ongoing coverage of Pope Leo’s condition

What’s a lung nodule? Medical experts explain GINA CHRISTIAN AND JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES OSV News

As Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery for a lung nodule, medical experts consulted by OSV News said the condition is typically benign but requires careful scrutiny and early intervention to address any possible cancer. In addition, the experts offered varying views on how much post-operative downtime patients typically face after the type of procedure Pope Leo underwent. Pope Leo was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital Oct. 13 for lung surgery, following his Oct. 11 disclosure that a scan had revealed a “well-contained” lung nodule that had been “detected at a very early stage.” While not speculating on Pope Leo’s specific circumstances, medical experts with whom OSV News spoke explained that lung nodules, or abnormal growths on the lungs, are far from unusual – and, for the most part, are not life-threatening. “Lung nodules are very common, and 90% of the time, they are benign,” said Dr. Stacey Su, chief of thoracic surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and associate

MATTEO MINNELLA, REUTERS | OSV NEWS

A man prays in front of a statue of the St. John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome Oct. 13 where Pope Leo XIV had surgery that afternoon to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed that evening that Pope Leo has lung cancer. Experts explain what they may mean. professor of surgical oncology at Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine. But, she said, “the potential impact of lung cancers is so grave that any lung

nodule deserves serious attention.” Dr. Sonali Sethi, an interventional pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said “in the U.S. alone, 1.5 million lung nodules are seen in imaging a year” – and of those, “95% of the time, what we see is benign.” Such nodules “can be caused by a whole laundry list of reasons,” said Su. “Sometimes it’s from infection, sometimes it’s an old scar. But in some cases, it is a growth, with the potential to grow and spread.” Lung nodules, “depending on their size and location,” can develop “without any symptoms at all” for the patient, said Su. “Size is an important component,” said Dr. Nirmal Veeramachaneni, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at St. Louis University School of Medicine. “So if you see a lesion that’s 4 or 5 millimeters versus 8 or 10 millimeters – we’re talking fractions of an inch – the guidelines on what the follow-up should look like are different.” The guidelines take into account the size, location and margins of the nodule, as well as the patient’s overall risk factors, including age and tobacco use. Pope Leo does not have any history of tobacco use, said Veeramachaneni, but he

and other experts pointed out that lung nodules can sometimes be attributed to genetics, exposure to particulates such as asbestos, and pulmonary histoplasmosis. The fungus that causes histoplasmosis is particularly found in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, and in certain areas of Central and South America – including Peru, where Pope Leo spent two decades. Medical experts at Sweden’s Karolinska University Hospital said surgical intervention is standard when imaging raises concerns “that the nodule may be more serious.” In a joint response, Simon Ekman and Signe Friesland, senior oncologists at Karolinska University Hospital, also noted generally that if a “nodule is difficult to biopsy, surgery is a way to get material (tissue) to analyze.” The oncologists said postoperative recovery includes pain medication, breathing exercises, and having the patient move around “as early as possible.” Veeramachaneni said his patients typically spend just over two days in the hospital following surgery, “especially with minimally invasive techniques.”

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Pope: Death penalty an attack on dignity of human person VATICAN CITY —Pope Leo has posted on his official X account that the Catholic Church holds the death penalty to be “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” In a post published Oct. 10, on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the pope noted that justice can be upheld and the common good of humanity can be safeguarded without relying on capital punishment. He said criminals can be effectively detained in order to protect citizens, while still allowing those who are guilty the possibility of redemption. “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment: effective systems of detention have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption. #NoDeathPenalty,” Pope Leo wrote. The pope’s post came a day after the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops made statements against the U.S. government’s planned public execution of Nidal Malik Hasan over livestream.

Vatican audience Oct. 5. Bishop Tylka called it a “profound joy and privilege” to place a relic of the famed American evangelist into the hands of the first American pope. Both Pope Leo and Blessed Fulton Sheen were born in Illinois. Archbishop Sheen, a pioneering Catholic radio and television preacher who reached millions of Americans, was beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis before some 50,000 people. Monsignor Jason Gray of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation joined Bishop Tylka for the audience. Monsignor Gray said Pope Leo spoke fondly of Archbishop Sheen and recalled watching him on television as a child. Pope Leo has previously called Sheen “a light of faith, hope and love” and said he would have liked to attend his beatification. Bishop Tylka was one of four U.S. bishops who met the pope Oct. 5. The pope also received 75-year-old Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami for an individual private audience, as well as the leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas.

Pope Leo names Archbishop Viola archpriest of St. Peter’s

Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois, presents Pope Leo with a relic of the recently beatified Blessed Fulton Sheen during an Oct. 5 audience at the Vatican.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo has named Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola as the new archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and the pope’s vicar for Vatican City. The 61-year-old Italian archbishop succeeds Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, who was recently appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto. Archbishop Viola currently serves as secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. A native of Biella in Viola Italy’s Piedmont region, Viola entered the Franciscan order after high school and was ordained a priest in 1993. He later served in Assisi, Italy, and led the Diocese of Tortona from 2014 to 2021. He holds a doctorate from Rome’s Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo. As archpriest, Archbishop Viola will oversee the day-to-day administration of St. Peter’s Basilica and preside at liturgies when the pope is not present. He will be responsible for the basilica’s upkeep, operations and care.

Pope Leo receives a relic of Blessed Fulton Sheen

Pope: World Mission Sunday has ‘borne fruit in my own life’

VATICAN CITY — Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois, presented Pope Leo XIV with a relic of Blessed Fulton Sheen during a private

The aim of World Mission Sunday (Oct. 18), established 100 years ago by Pope Pius XI, has “borne fruit in my own life,” said Pope Leo XIV.

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The pope reflected on the annual observance in a video message posted by Vatican News to its YouTube channel Oct. 7. A transcript of the message was also published on the Vatican’s website. In January, Pope Leo XIV announced he had chosen the theme “One in Christ, united in mission” for this year’s celebration, with his message for the day encouraging “the whole Church to continue its missionary journey with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit.” Established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 and universally observed by 1927, World Mission Sunday is a dedicated day of “prayer and missionary promotion throughout the Catholic world,” according to its founding decree. Held on the next-to-last Sunday of October, the observance also includes a special collection – taken up here in the Diocese of Charlotte – that serves as the primary financial support for the Pontifical Mission Societies, a worldwide network operating at the service of the pope and consisting of four organizations designated as pontifical by Pope Pius XI in 1922. In his video message, Pope Leo said, “Looking back on my youth, I can see how the prayers offered to the Lord of the harvest mysteriously helped prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ call to follow him as an Augustinian missionary.” In his video message, Pope Leo said “the prayers and contributions of the faithful encouraged and sustained my missionary work in Peru, as well as that of countless others throughout the world.”

The requests were made during an audience on Sept. 11 as part of the ad limina visit the Salvadoran prelates made to Rome Sept. 7–11. The Episcopal Conference of El Salvador announced the request in a press release issued Oct. 4 that noted the meeting with the Holy Father “was marked by closeness, fraternity, and the paternal character of the Pontiff.” In that setting, the bishops presented both petitions concerning St. Óscar Romero, who was assassinated on March 24, 1980, while celebrating Mass in the chapel of Divine Providence Hospital in San Salvador and who was canonized by Pope Francis on Oct. 14, 2018. The title “Doctor of the Church” recognizes canonized men and women who possessed deep knowledge, were outstanding teachers, and contributed significantly to Church theology. There are 38 Doctors of the Church. — OSV News

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Peter Ascik

Effie Caldarola

Choose life – even for convicted murderers

uring Nebraska’s long struggle to end the death penalty, a weekly protest was held outside the governor’s mansion. Norma was an elderly woman who had long opposed the death penalty. As she grew frail, she still went faithfully, rain or shine, to the corner where protesters gathered. No longer able to stand up for long periods, Norma protested from a chair. When interviewed by local news, Norma humorously made a comment I’ll never forget: “I sit down for what I stand up for.” October is pro-life month, and for Catholics, it’s time to stand up.

A BARBARIC PRACTICE

Polls show that a small majority of Americans, and even Catholics, support taking life in this way. We are one of only a handful of countries who engage in this barbaric practice. We join places like China and Iran, while European countries (with the exception of Russia and Belarus) and most democracies have long abolished execution. I had already written this column when I awoke Oct. 1 to the news that the execution of Christa Pike had been severely botched. Pike, who had been abused sexually and physically from the age of 2 and had been convicted of a murder she committed when she was only 18, was sent to the hospital after surviving two doses of a lethal injection drug in Tennessee. Isn’t it time to stop this brutal practice? The truth is we know today society can be kept safe from violent criminals without killing them. Twenty-three states do not have a death penalty. Some other states rarely use it. The U.S. carried out 47 executions in 2025, and 19 of them were in Florida. America’s death penalty often carries a racist component. One example: Today, although about half of all U.S. homicide victims are black, three-quarters of death sentences involve white victims. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, since 1973, at least 203 people who were sentenced to death have been exonerated. This begs the question: How many innocent people have we put to death? All recent popes have spoken out against the death penalty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” One hopeful sign is that polls show younger Americans are increasingly opposing execution. Fewer juries are recommending death. The tide is turning.

GOD CARES ABOUT ALL LIFE

As Catholics, we care about all life, from the unborn child to those struggling from famine and war. But why, you ask, should I care about a person convicted of a heinous crime? For me, the short answer is that God cares. Jesus told us to forgive not just seven times, but 77 times. Jesus held up the prodigal’s father as an image of God. This does not mean we don’t imprison criminals and that we don’t support the families who have been impacted by horrific crimes. But killing to prove killing is wrong makes no sense. Consider the recent execution of Jeffrey Lee in Alabama. Lee, a Black man, spent 25 years on death row, even though the jury that convicted him recommended life imprisonment without parole. A law in effect at that time gave the judge the ability to impose his own sentence. Questions hung over the trial. The prosecutor used all his 21 peremptory strikes to eliminate Black jurors. The court-appointed defense counsel had never worked a capital case and did little to prepare. Meanwhile, what of Lee? Over the years, he became a Christian, a Kairos ministry leader, an assistant chaplain and a mentor to fellow inmates.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, NOT VENGEANCE

Isn’t this what we want from a prison system: not to be a place of vengeance, but of restorative justice? If we as Catholics don’t hold open the possibility of transformation, what good is our faith? The Catholic Mobilizing Network works to educate on justice issues and will send alerts about upcoming executions so that we can take action. Sometimes, when I sit writing yet another plea for a commutation of death, I think of Norma. I’m sitting here, Norma, I’m sitting here standing up for what I believe in. EFFIE CALDAROLA is a wife, mom and grandmother who received her master’s degree in pastoral studies from Seattle University.

Fight deadly abortion pills with prayer, action and information

merica is flooded with abortion pills. These deadly drugs account for more than 60% of all abortions in the United States, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of unborn children each year. The abortion pill is the first drug in a two-dose regimen. First, the mother ingests mifepristone, which causes the death of her unborn child. Then, after 24-48 hours, she takes misoprostol, which induces labor to expel the deceased child’s body from her womb. First introduced in the U.S. in 2000, the use of mifepristone has rapidly expanded in the last few years. In 2011 roughly one-quarter of abortions were due to the pill, in 2020 more than one-half, and by 2023 almost twothirds. This growth in numbers has been enabled by a progressive weakening of safety regulations for the drug and by a concerted political effort to increase the availability of abortion by spreading the pills throughout the country.

SAFETY REGULATIONS ERODED

The original FDA regulations for mifepristone abortions required each of the pills to be dispensed by a physician at an in-person visit. An additional follow-up visit was required after the abortion to screen for complications. But in 2016 the requirement for a followup visit was dropped, along with the requirement that the drug be prescribed by a physician. In 2021 the FDA eliminated the requirement that a mother seeking an abortion visit a medical facility at all. After this change, the drug could be dispensed through the mail after only a virtual consultation. And changes in 2023 allowed the abortion pill to be obtained from regular pharmacies. These changes have weakened safeguards for the mother’s health. Forgoing an in-person consultation, for example, makes it difficult to screen the mother for potentially complicating factors such as ectopic pregnancy. And without a required follow-up, it is difficult to monitor the mother for complications after the abortion and to evaluate her need for additional care. Besides the medical risks, there are other dangers associated with providing the pill through the mail. There have been multiple reported cases in which men obtained abortion pills and gave them to their pregnant girlfriends without their knowledge or consent, causing the deaths of their unborn children. Since the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, the provision of abortion pills through the mail has also become part of a political strategy to undermine the laws of pro-life states. Mail-order abortion websites have

proliferated. These have been combined with so-called “shield laws,” which prevent the prosecution of those who illegally mail abortion drugs into states with pro-life laws. By saturating even pro-life states with the deadly drugs, mail-order abortion pills threaten to turn hard-won pro-life victories into a dead letter.

PRAY, THEN ADVOCATE FOR LIFE

How can we fight the spread of the abortion pill? First, we must pray. St. John Paul II noted that in the face of so many threats from the culture of death, “a great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world.” Pro-life prayers, novenas and blessings published by the U.S. bishops are available at www.respectlife.org/prayers. We must remember that “our battle is not with flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). The fight against abortion will ultimately be won by spiritual means; that is, by drawing closer to Christ, the Lord of Life. But we must also act, doing what we can in this world to resist the spread of abortion. This Respect Life Month, the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities has asked us to reach out to the pharmacy chains and pharmaceutical companies that provide abortion pills. We can call or write the companies that manufacture mifepristone – Danco, GenBioPro and Evita Solutions – and ask them to get out of the abortion business. We can also contact pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS – and even speak to our local branches – to respectfully urge them not to dispense mifepristone for abortion. This kind of consumer advocacy can help prevent our local pharmacies from turning into abortion clinics.

SHARE THE NEWS ABOUT REVERSAL

Finally, we can share life-saving information about abortion pill reversal. Medical professionals have discovered that in some cases, the abortion process can be reversed and the unborn child’s life saved after the mother has taken mifepristone, the first pill in the two-pill process. Mothers who have recently taken the first pill can visit www.abortionpillreversal. com or call 877-558-0333 to receive medical assistance in trying to save their unborn children. This Respect Life Month is a timely moment to focus on the threat of the abortion pill. Through prayer, advocacy, and sharing life-saving information, we can resist the spread of the culture of death and share the light of the culture of life. To learn more and take action, visit www. respectlife.org/abortion-pills. FATHER PETER ASCIK is pastor and rector of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

October 16, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Cecilia Cicone

Keeping the faith when dealing with mental illness W ‘Experiencing a sickness hen you’re sick, it impacts nearly every aspect of your life. If you can’t get out of bed in the morning, you can’t go to work, you can’t socialize with other people and you can’t cook your own meals. It takes all your energy just to heal. It’s probably easy to imagine a time when you were so sick that you couldn’t get out of bed. Everything hurt, and you just wanted to feel better, whether it meant taking tea with honey, flu medication or a shot of apple cider vinegar. You were willing to do whatever it took to feel better. God made us whole beings: body, mind and spirit. When one part is a little bit off, it impacts everything else. It’s difficult to have a strong body without also having a strong mind and spirit. For those of us who experience mental illness, it’s natural that it would affect the other aspects of our being as well: our body and our soul.

ILLNESS IN THE CONVENT

I was a novice in formation for religious life in a convent when I started to have symptoms of mental illness seven years ago. When I first started having trouble sleeping, I wasn’t sure what was going on. For weeks on end, I wouldn’t get more than an hour or so of sleep at night, and naturally, that impacted my prayer. It impacted my ability to live in community, to focus and to build relationships, too. Eventually, as my symptoms got worse and I experienced more panic attacks, flashbacks, nightmares and dissociation, praying as I had been used to praying became nearly impossible. I was used to waking up every morning and immediately spending 30 minutes praying on the Gospel for the day, followed by morning prayer and Mass and then a Holy Hour at some point during the day. I also did an additional 30 minutes of personal prayer and then evening prayer. Before bed, I was used to praying with the next day’s Gospel and doing an examination of conscience. Suddenly, I couldn’t even close my eyes without descending into panic and disconnection from reality. The life of prayer that had grounded me and been such a comfort suddenly felt like torture. Eventually, I needed to leave religious life because of my mental illness, but praying didn’t get easier, even as I went to therapy. I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative identity disorder. Every single time I went to see a therapist or a doctor, I said how much I just wanted to be able to pray.

NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for Catholics who are experiencing mental illness or for Catholics who love and want to help us. As nice as it would be to be able to say, “Just pray this novena or go on this retreat or read this book and you’ll be better,” each of us has a struggle that only God understands..

of the mind will definitely impact the soul and the ability of someone to relate to God.’

But one thing that is always the case is that experiencing a sickness of the mind will definitely impact the soul and the ability of someone to relate to God and practice their faith. It can bring struggles with it, but it can also bring great experiences of grace. For some people, going to Mass might be the only time during the week when they experience any kind of peace. For others, being in Mass, surrounded by other people and unpredictable noises with a social expectation of sitting quietly for an hour could be a source of panic that turns into a mental health crisis. Many of us experience a great peace when we go to the sacrament of reconciliation, but for others – especially those who may experience scrupulosity – confession can bring up some of the symptoms that are torturous for them. Some prayers like the holy rosary are a great source of connection and calm in the midst of mental turmoil. But for others, the repetition may lead to dissociation.

JESUS MEETS US INDIVIDUALLY

Why is there no one-size-fits-all solution for Catholics suffering from mental illness? Because Jesus is not an impersonal, one-size-fits-all healer. He’s personal and intimate, and so, just as no one’s suffering is exactly like someone else’s, the way Jesus meets and heals them is going to be unique, too. And His healing always happens in His perfect timing, which is not always in this life. I can’t say that one prayer book or listening to a YouTube video or podcast will definitely heal you or your loved ones. But I can say this: Jesus is more gentle and more understanding and more compassionate than we could ever imagine. He has given us the sacraments and the life of the Church as great gifts. Holding on to the faith while experiencing mental illness is rooted in the grace of perseverance. It’s a humble prayer of telling the Lord that you don’t want to give up, that you want to keep trying, but that you need Him. Jesus will not deny that prayer, and you may be surprised in how he chooses to answer it. CECILIA CICONE is an author and communicator who works in diocesan ministry in Northwest Indiana.

Letters to the editor

Praise for Belmont Abbey College’s program

The death penalty has been frequently in the news lately: Christa Pike’s recent survival of a failed execution in Tennessee, plus the unrelenting pace of executions in our nation, especially in Florida and Texas. Some months there are two or three executions on the same date. Therefore, it was heartening to read in your Sept. 18 edition of Belmont Abbey College’s recent participation in a program which held the spotlight on the morally inadmissible system of capital punishment. As Catholics we are called to be people of redemption, not retribution; restoration, not vengeance. There are alternatives through Catholic Mobilizing Network (catholicsmobilizing.org) and Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina (catholicsforabolitionnc.org). Join us. ANNE MCDONALD COCHRAN is a member of St. Peter Parish in Charlotte.

Letters policy The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be written from a perspective of Christian charity. To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

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Most-read stories on the web

‘The Church should be a safe space where everyone has a place – a community that accompanies and never excludes, that listens without judging and draws near without fear.’ Pope Leo XIV

From online story: “New online courses help Catholics comfort those struggling with mental health” The Catholic News Herald reached the Facebook and Instagram feeds of more than 1.5 million people in English and Spanish last month. The most talked about post? Coverage of St. Lawrence Basilica’s reopening. Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/ CatholicNewsHerald. On YouTube over the 30 days ending Oct. 13, Catholic News Herald videos have been viewed more than 38,000 times. The most popular video? A series on St. Francis of Assisi Over the past 30 days ending Oct. 13, 37,000 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 58,000 pages. The top trending headlines are: n Bishop Martin announces two pastor appointments...................................................................1,984 n Diocesan parishioners attend Blessed Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification..................................1,480 n We are called, formed and sent to spread God’s love through service.................................. 1,293 n Historic Asheville basilica celebrates reopening after renovations...........................................1,115 n Local priests share connections to Archbishop Sheen..................................................................963 n Sister Joan to retire after 56 years of service to others.............................................................. 774 n Waxhaw petitioners pledge commitment to new parish...............................................................639

catholicnewsherald.com | October 16, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARITIES FROM PAGE 13

parish programs can mesh with what they offer. For example, Catholic Charities is working with The Bulb non-profit to offer fresh food distribution at Our Lady of Consolation parish in Charlotte, bringing fruits and vegetables directly to a community where a gap in access exists. “The hope is for parishes to enhance their charitable outreach and for Catholic Charities to serve as support in managing cases – which is one of our strengths,” Carter said. “We know how to get people what they need, whether it’s through direct service or referrals – but we’ll be stronger with more parishioners working in the trenches.” Parishioners also find it rewarding to work in service of others, said Catholic Charities USA’s’ Robinson. “People are hungry for meaning and they yearn to understand that their own life can make a positive difference in the lives of others – especially those who are suffering.” Ultimately, Carter said, the changes align with Bishop Martin’s pastoral vision: “It’s about inviting people of goodwill to put their faith into action,” he said. For Bishop Martin, service to others and evangelization are key components of his calling as a Franciscan friar. “The two must go hand-in-hand,” he said. “We are not simply an NGO with a crucifix on the wall. Putting a roof over someone’s head, placing a meal before someone, and helping someone get healthcare are all part of our Gospel mission. But it’s also important in an appropriate way to make it known to those we serve that it is Jesus who ultimately feeds us and nourishes us and clothes and houses us. That is the heart of the Good News! We demonstrate this simply through our actions and responses when sharing the healing message of the Gospel.” — Liz Chandler contributed

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Music filled the air at St. Lawrence Basilica and light streamed through the refurbished stained glass windows despite the rain. The basilica is in the midst of “Preserving our Heritage,” a national campaign to raise the $30 million necessary to preserve the historic church. The basilica was designed in 1903 by Spanishborn architect Rafael Guastavino Sr. whose work includes Biltmore Estate in Asheville and Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

BASILICA FROM PAGE 4

The celebration also featured remarks from Shannon Brown, project manager for John G. Waite Associates, the project’s architects; Aaron Ernst, senior project manager for N.C.-based Blum Construction; and Jennifer Cathey of the

N.C. State Historic Preservation Office. It also included several special musical selections, including the processional hymn “O God Beyond All Praising,” set to the melody “Thaxted” from British composer Gustav Holst’s work “The Planets” – chosen because of the theme of looking up and contemplating the heavens through the basilica’s beautiful interior. The choir also offered Anton Bruckner’s “Locus Iste” and a Santus and Hosanna

composed by Guastavino himself, who also was an accomplished musician. The piece is performed at the basilica on feast days and was doubly meaningful because of the day’s celebration of Guastavino’s architectural beauty.

More online At www.saintlawrencebasilica.org: Learn more and donate

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