HELENE 2 YEARS LATER: CHURCH IS STILL ‘HERE TO HELP’ – 4-5 October 2, 2026
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Parishioners, priests remember Fulton Sheen 7
St. Matthew Parish turns 40 8
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Overflowing with grace At double jubilee, Our Lady of the Angels embraces growth 6 Honoring St. Francis of Assisi Learn more about his life 3 Find a pet blessing 10
Una vida transformada por Cristo 15
At a glance 2
catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
CATHOLIC ALL WEEK
OCTOBER 2, 2026
Timely tips for blending faith & life
VOLUME 35 • NUMBER 25
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 Arts & Entertainment................. 17 Contact us.....................................2 Español.......................................15-16 Our Diocese............................. 4-12 Our Faith........................................3 Our Schools.............................13-14 Scripture.......................................3 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21
STAFF EDITOR: Trish Stukbauer 704-370-3392, tmstukbauer@rcdoc.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@rcdoc.org MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER: David Puckett 704-808-4521, dwpuckett@rcdoc.org EDITORIAL TEAM: Kimberly Bender 704-370-3394, kdbender@rcdoc.org Lisa Geraci 704-370-3294, lmgeraci@rcdoc.org Troy C. Hull 704-370-3288, tchull@rcdoc.org Christina Lee Knauss 704-370-0783, clknauss@rcdoc.org Amelia Kudela 980-374-3411, arkudela@rcdoc.org Brian Segovia 704-370-3235, bmsegovia@rcdoc.org
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very October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of the month (Oct. 4 this year) is designated as Respect Life Sunday. This year’s theme is “Mary, Mother of Life” and is centered on Mary’s role as mother of all the living. Her life can teach us to respect the gift of life in all its stages – even when it is unexpected or requires us to make sacrifices. Here are three things that people can do during Respect Life month to embrace that calling.
1 REFLECT ON THE THEME
3 PRAY AND ACT FOR CHANGE
Look for opportunities to incorporate Marian devotions, catechesis and reflections on human dignity in your prayer life to help reinforce the message that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves love, protection and care.
This month is filled with concrete ways to make a difference. Participate in your local 40 Days for Life, join a Life Chain in your area this weekend, organize or be a part of a prayer service or Mass for Life, take action to protect women and babies from the dangers of abortion pills, and pray for a change of hearts and minds on the sanctity of life.
2 SUPPORT MOMS IN NEED Start a project at your parish to accompany mothers who are in need of assistance or who may need encouragement as they choose life and then begin the work of parenting their children. If such a project already exists at your parish – through Walking with Moms in Need or other groups – become an active part of it.
— Catholic News Herald, Diocese of Charlotte Office of Marriage, Family and Life and USCCB
Scan the QR code for this week’s recommended prayers and activities
COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Maria De Ugarte 704-370-3333, catholicnews@rcdoc.org COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Liz Chandler 704-370-3336, lchandler@rcdoc.org ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@rcdoc.org THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year. NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@rcdoc.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives. ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@rcdoc.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.
Diocesan calendar of events EVENTS Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., will participate in the following events over the coming weeks:
A HOLY HALLOWEEN: Author Charles Fraune speaks on sanctifying the season at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Come early at 10 a.m. for first Saturday Mass followed by a blessing of religious objects. WHAT TO DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: High school students and parents are invited to this event with representatives from Newman Guide recommended schools, 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, in Aquinas Hall, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. CHARLOTTE PRO-LIFE NETWORK GATHERING: Meeting to discuss pro-life issues at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at St. Vincent De Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. First classroom (enter through parish office). Sponsored by Carolina Pro-Life Action Network. Questions? Email info@prolifecharlotte.org or go to www.prolifecharlotte.org. PRAYER SERVICES
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $17.75 per year for registered families of the Diocese of Charlotte and $25 per year for all others.
TRIAD PRO-LIFE MASS & 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.
POSTMASTER: Periodicals Class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.
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 Nov. 7. St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Details: www.defendthefamily.org/two-hearts.
OCT. 5 OCT. 10 – 2:30 P.M. National Catholic Mass for Permanent Educational Association Diaconate Retreat * Dinner * Catholic Conference Washington, D.C. Center, Hickory
OCT. 14 – 6 P.M. Confirmation St. John Baptist de la Salle Church, N. Wilkesboro
OCT. 6 Pastoral Center Employees Retreat * Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont
OCT. 11 – 2 P.M. Wedding Anniversary Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte
OCT. 18 – 11 A.M. Sunday Mass St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Maggie Valley
OCT. 10 – 10 A.M. Phase One Completion Celebration St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville
OCT. 13 – 6 P.M. Confirmation St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jefferson
OCT. 18-23 Priests’ Retreat * Lake Junaluska * Denotes a private event.
Our faith
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
What made St. Francis abandon wealth for a life centered on the Eucharist?
Pope Leo XIV
Technological advancements are not rivals to faith
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rogress in science and technology is not contrary to belief in God, and Christians should be actively involved in shaping that progress so that it serves human dignity and the common good, Pope Leo said. At his general audience, the pope also pointed to Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who was beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis, as an example of a Catholic who embraced the technology of his time to spread the Gospel. Continuing his series on documents of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo reflected on the council’s conciliar constitution “Gaudium et Spes,” particularly its teaching on human activity and progress in the world. Created in the image and likeness of God, the human being is an agent of progress, the pope said, using freedom and intelligence to increase knowledge and advance society. Yet as scientific and technological achievements multiplied, he said, some thinkers began portraying God and humanity as “rivals: in order to assert his knowledge, his freedom and his progress, man is thought to have to emancipate himself from God.” Pope Leo called that view erroneous and quoted the late theologian, Jesuit Father Henri de Lubac, who described it as the “tragedy of atheistic humanism.” “Ultimately, however, by denying the relationship with God, one also loses the possibility of affirming the transcendent value of the human person,” he said. Quoting the conciliar constitution, he said Christians instead believe “that the triumphs of the human race are a sign of God’s grace and the flowering of His own mysterious design.” Human achievement, therefore, should not draw the faithful away from involvement in scientific, technological or social progress, the pope said. Rather, the Gospel calls them to participate in building society while keeping such progress oriented toward human flourishing. “Let us carry out our daily activities with true charity, offering our work to the Lord both as a means for personal sanctification and as an expression of our desire ever more fully to bring about God’s kingdom, especially through pursuing the common good, caring for the needy and defending human dignity,” the pope said.
Daily Scripture readings
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FATHER JOSEPH TUSCAN OSV News
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t. Francis of Assisi’s father, Pietro di Bernardone dei Moriconi, was a gregarious and generous man, a very ambitious and successful businessman. He was part of the “new money” of the high Middle Ages known as the merchant class. Born into the lower classes of society, he was determined to increase his family’s social status. He was domineering and driven, but not abusive or wicked. He loved beautiful things like the fine cloth – purchased during frequent trips to France – that he would sell in his shop. Giovanni was the firstborn of his children and also the first son, a privileged and favored position. He was born and baptized during one of his father’s absences. Pietro’s love for all things French caused him to refer to his newborn son as “Francesco.” The father of St. Francis of Assisi was a “good man” characteristic of his era but driven by worldly ambition. He wanted to break the glass ceiling of his time and become a lord or “majore,” The only way for Pietro to achieve his ambition was for him or one of his sons to be victorious in battle.
COURTNEY MARES | OSV NEWS
A 12th-century painting of St. Francis with Angels by an unknown artist known as the Master of St. Francis is on display at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy. The basilica encompasses the chapel St. Francis helped restore in Assisi called the Porziuncola and where the saint founded the Franciscan order.
THE HEART OF A SON
Francesco was the heir to the family business and fortune, and he willingly united himself with his father’s ambition. When Assisi became engaged in a battle with the neighboring town of Perugia, Pietro sent Francesco off to war to win the longed-for family status. After a year in battle, Francesco fell prisoner and wound up in a medieval prison cell for almost a year. It was during his confinement that he had a mystical dream that would start of conversion. Francesco was ransomed by his father and returned home a changed man. His health slowly returned, but he had completely lost interest in business and social ambitions. A growing divide with his father escalated, culminating in a public confrontation in front of the bishop of Assisi in which his father disowned him.
THE HEART OF A SAINT
Francesco approached life then as a penitent. Having been shown mercy by his heavenly Father, he realized that the Most High God was love poured out. Unlike his earthly father’s schemes to increase his status, God “emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). Francesco’s mouth would water when he pronounced the holy name of Jesus, and his hunger would only subside in the reception of Holy Communion, which became the center of his life. He was offered ordination as a priest, for which he
What is ‘Transitus’? Each year on Oct. 3, the followers of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) mark the globally popular saint’s journey from life to death, his “Transitus” as it is known in Latin, through special community commemorations. But what meaning does the Transitus hold – especially on this 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death, and during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo – if you aren’t a Franciscan? “I think the answer is self-evident. We are all going to die,” said Father Joseph Mary Elder, director of vocations and communications for the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad in Denver. “The Transitus is the celebration of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi from earthly life to heavenly glory,” he explained. “It is not so much the passing of St. Francis – everyone dies, after all – but the manner in which St. Francis of Assisi died. St. Francis embraced death in much the same way he had learned to live his life: with a radical and total fearlessness.” While Transitus traditions might appear slightly puzzling to non-Franciscans, Father Greg Friedman, an author, journalist and Franciscan friar in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, offered a helpful context. “If somebody said to me, ‘Why do you guys do this? Why do you celebrate the death of St. Francis every year?’ I would say, ‘Well, how do you remember the people in your family? How do you remember your grandparents; your great-grandparents?’” he asked. “You tell the story.” — OSV News
felt unworthy. It is widely acknowledged that he accepted ordination as a deacon. Francesco cherished this servant role at the altar and all things connected to it: the obligation to pray the Divine Office, the commitment to clerical continence, obedience to the bishop. In every aspect of his life, Francesco sought after the “Spirit of the Lord and His holy operation,” which for Francesco meant the interior and exterior living of poverty modeled on the Most High, who once made Himself poor in the Child at Bethlehem and eternally poor and ever present to humanity
“I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 13:34, part of the daily readings for Oct. 5, 2026
in the most holy sacrament of the altar. St. Francis is also known as the patron saint of animals and ecology (find a pet blessing on page 10).
Watch online
Serrano
At www.youtube.com/ dioceseofcharlotte: Did you know that St. Francis used to pray in caves set high in the mountains? Franciscan Father Tito Serrano explores what St. Francis had to say about nature, caring for the poor and more.
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 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
At two-year mark, Church tells Helene victims: ‘We’re still here to help’ CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org
As western North Carolina marks the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, the Diocese of Charlotte continues to help rebuild lives across the region through Catholic Charities, parishes and other ministries. While economic uncertainty lingers and many still face food insecurity, glimmers of hope have returned as tourism begins to rebound and shuttered businesses reopen – returning jobs and opportunities. The diocese’s Catholic Charities agency raised $13.7 million for relief efforts after the storm, thanks to donors around the world. The agency has spent $9.1 million over the past two years, initially trucking in critical food and water, funding emergency housing, then pivoting to repairing and rebuilding homes, offering utility assistance, and providing career and mental health counseling. Catholic Charities has the remaining $4.6 million in relief funds slated for longer-term needs in the third year and is planning for new approaches and partnerships that can enhance its disaster response in the future. “People are still hurting, and we will continue to accompany them in a broad variety of ways, either by providing direct assistance and services or by connecting them to organizations who can help meet their needs,” said Gerry Carter, Catholic Charities’ president and CEO. “As with most major disasters,” he said, “we anticipated the initial recovery process would take at least three years – and for many it will continue. Our focus now is to keep working through our more complicated cases and to extend our resources to people whose needs have not yet been addressed.” Since the storm that claimed 108 lives and caused more than $44 billion in damages, Catholic Charities and local parishes have been at the forefront of the Church’s response. Parishes stepped in with financial and emergency assistance, while the agency took on sweeping needs. Catholic Charities has thus far served 2,832 households, helping with everything from getting children new eyeglasses and school supplies to repairing the roofs above their heads. As of July 2026, the agency helped repair, rebuild or replace 208 homes, and will take on at least 50 more this year. “We said at the beginning that when the water recedes, we’ll still be there – and that’s exactly what we’re continuing to do,” Carter said. The agency’s disaster relief workers have provided assistance to individuals and families in 37 of the 39 impacted counties.
INDIVIDUAL STORIES, VARIED NEEDS
The hard work continues as the agency does its best to respond to the specific needs of each family, said Jesse Boeckermann, Catholic Charities’ western regional director in Asheville. “Some neighborhoods are still rebuilding, and in other places there’s food insecurity or people are struggling with the general cost of living,” Boeckermann said. “Our response is very family-specific, responding
TRISH STUKBAUER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Containers that lined the once-flooded creek bed just outside Chimney Rock last October spread a message of resilience in an area hit hard by Hurricane Helene.
FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
While the damage from Hurricane Helene was staggering, Catholic Charities and local parishes stepped in to help. Within the first year, some residents were moving back into remodeled homes while they were rebuilding other aspects of their lives.
to whatever the household is going through.” Jeff and Kathy Turner are among those who turned to Catholic Charities. Their home near Jefferson was badly damaged when the North Fork of the New River rose 26 feet. They received more than $10,000 to repair their foundation, buy new doors and windows, and address other household needs. In Old Fort, Sandra* received help with temporary rental assistance, home repairs and mortgage payments. Mobility issues
made her situation particularly critical. Catholic Charities also replaced her vehicle, which had been destroyed in the flood. Other families’ needs were more complicated: In one case, Catholic Charities provided 10 months of comprehensive support to help a family of five with rent, utilities, furniture and vehicle repairs. The agency also stepped in for businesses and people who received little or no assistance from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. One woman was denied FEMA assistance
due to the age of the 20-year-old camper where she lived, so Catholic Charities bought her a new one. Another woman wanted to buy her FEMA trailer but had nowhere to put it – so Catholic Charities paid the moving costs and rent for a lot where she could make a fresh start. Four celebrated community businesses – a Mexican restaurant in Black Mountain and an auto repair shop, barbecue restaurant and hair salon in Swannanoa – all were able to reopen with help from Catholic Charities. Each reopening served as a moment of inspiration for townspeople. “We’re making sure people are still HELENE, SEE PAGE 5
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
HELENE
For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com
FROM PAGE 4
connected and receiving help through whatever phase they’re at in the whole recovery process,” Boeckermann said. Catholic Charities is also helping with long-term recovery on the community level. Case workers are collaborating in “long-term recovery groups” in some of the hardest hit – and most difficult to access – areas, including Chimney Rock, Gerton and Bat Cave, Boeckermann said. In areas such as Asheville, $250,000 went to revitalizing the economy in the River Arts District. That investment is paying off as tourism dollars begin to flow into the area. Asheville hosted the PGA Biltmore Championship in September, generating an estimated $10 million in economic impact. Across the region, the N.C. Commerce Department reported that tourism brought in $7.7 billion last year – ranging from a year-over-year increase of 14% in Cherokee County to a slight decline of less than 1% in Asheville.
PARISHES HELP WITH RECOVERY
Individual parishes and missions remain on the ground, working to help parishioners and communities with ongoing needs, from crucial supplies like food and baby items to funding for utility bills and home repairs. Parishes that run food pantries have seen a significant uptick in need, as escalating prices for food, gas and many other goods have made things worse for Helene victims. In Sylva, St. Mary Mother of God Parish has been operating a food pantry two Saturdays a month. It provides nonperishable food, household items, hygiene products and baby items to anyone in need. But supply lines are stretched thin, said Kevin Field, who runs the pantry, so the parish is seeking donations of canned goods and funds so it can continue to be a source of help. In the immediate wake of Helene, the
In Brief Bishop Martin announces two pastor appointments
TRISH STUKBAUER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
The area around Bat Cave was one of the hardest hit and slowest to return to normal following Hurricane Helene. Homes, driveways and roads were washed away. diocese’s Sister Parish Program paired parishes that were not impacted by the storm with those in the mountains to help raise funds. Two years later, St. Mary Mother of God is still receiving help from its sister parish, St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte, which holds quarterly collections. At St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson and its mission, St. Frances of Rome in Sparta, some parishioners are still dealing with property repairs, but for the most part, recovery has been completed, said pastor Father Jacob Mlakar. Some parishioners are now turning their gratitude toward helping others in the community who are still struggling to recover from the storm. “Most of our parishioners are doing well, and some of them are helping out by serving on long-term recovery groups in Ashe County and other areas,” Father Mlakar said.
In Mars Hill, St. Andrew the Apostle Church ran a massive relief effort in the months after the storm and still is responding to needs, said parish secretary Kelly Hansen. The parish runs a food pantry that serves about 50 people a week, and volunteers prepare about 70 “weekend bags” with nonperishable foods for students at the nearby elementary school. Hansen said much of the parish’s assistance now goes to families struggling with high fuel and grocery prices, but St. Andrew still gets requests from people hit by Helene. “Recently we paid a storage unit bill for somebody who was struggling – they had salvaged things from the storm stored there,” Hansen said. “We’re trying to remind people that we’re still here to help.” * EDITOR’S NOTE: First names were used or names were removed to protect privacy.
Small parish makes a big impact in Madison County St. Andrew Parish builds on Hurricane Helene relief efforts to serve local children MARS HILL — Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, a small Catholic parish in Madison County is building on the relationships forged during the disaster to help local children facing food insecurity. St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, the only Catholic church in Madison County, became an emergency relief center after Helene – distributing food, water, clothing, batteries, cleaning products and other necessities to residents regardless of faith. The parish’s mission, Sacred Heart in Burnsville, provided similar assistance in neighboring Yancey County. Both churches are led by Father Anthony Mbanefo, MSP. The relief effort introduced many people in the wider community to St. Andrew and led to a new partnership with Mars Hill Elementary School, said Kelly Hansen, parish secretary/assistant. After emergency operations wound down, school officials asked whether the parish could continue helping local families. Parishioners responded by providing weekend food bags each Friday for more than 60 children identified as being at risk for food insecurity.
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CHARLOTTE — Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., has announced two pastor appointments in the Diocese of Charlotte: n Father Jason K. Barone was appointed pastor of the newly elevated Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Highlands, effective Barone Sept. 8. He had served the Catholic community there as parochial administrator since 2019. n Father Augustine O. Ogar, M.S.P., currently serving as parochial administrator of St. William Parish in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission in Hayesville, Ogar has been appointed pastor of the parish and mission effective Oct. 1.
Historic Georgia Martyrs beatification coming Oct. 31 SAVANNAH, Georgia — Catholics from across the Southeast are invited to witness Church history Oct. 31, when five Franciscan missionaries known as the Georgia Martyrs will be beatified during a special Mass at the Savannah Convention Center. The five Spanish friars – Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez de Cuacos, Miguel de Añon, Antonio de Badajoz and Francisco de Veráscola – were martyred along the Georgia coast in 1597 while evangelizing the indigenous Guale people. The Holy See recognized their martyrdom in 2025, clearing the way for their beatification. The Oct. 31 celebration will mark only the sixth beatification celebrated on U.S. soil. Admission is free but registration is highly recommended. For more information, go to www. thegeorgiamartyrs.org.
Wedding Anniversary Mass scheduled for Oct. 11 CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s annual Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage will be offered at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at St. Patrick Cathedral. Bishop Michael Martin will be the celebrant. A reception will be held after Mass, sponsored by the diocese’s Family, Marriage and Life Office. Couples celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries in 2026 will receive a special certificate commemorating their anniversary. Limit two guests per couple. To register and receive a certificate, please sign up at www.charlottediocese.org/event/ wedding-anniversary-mass.
Arts at the Abbey presents Carolina Pro Musica PHOTO PROVIDED
Partnering with rural parishes enables Catholic Charities to reach people who may have difficulty traveling to Asheville for assistance, said Jesse Boeckermann, Catholic Charities’ Western Region official. This school year, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Western Regional Office has joined the effort – providing reusable bags, supplemental food donations and funding for food.
A core group of about 10 parishioners, led by Vicki Fedor, gathers weekly to pack the bags. A great-grandmother and former RELIEF, SEE PAGE 10
BELMONT — Arts at the Abbey kicks off its new season 8 p.m. Oct. 12 with Carolina Pro Musica. The program features music from the first music history book by Charles Burney. Arts at the Abbey concerts are held in Belmont Abbey Basilica at Belmont Abbey College and are free. Details: 704-461-6012. — Catholic News Herald
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Overflowing with grace
At double jubilee, Our Lady of the Angels Mission embraces growth LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org
MARION — Our Lady of the Angels may be small, but its anniversary celebration was anything but. Nearly 400 people gathered Sept. 27 for a jubilee Mass at the little Marion church, which seats fewer than 150. They were there to celebrate two milestones: 75 years as a faith community and 50 years in its current church. The close-knit community is the Diocese of Charlotte’s only independent mission. The overcrowded Mass was said in English and Spanish – a usual occurrence at the church, where 90 percent of the congregation is Hispanic. Parochial Administrator Father Innocent Amasiorah’s homily message started with laughter, clapping, singing and joy that Sunday morning. They sang, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands …” They clapped for Jesus. They clapped for the church. They clapped for themselves and the faith journey they started in 1945, when a small community of Catholics traveled to Mass in nearby towns before having their first Mass at the courthouse in downtown Marion in 1951. Just like the congregation, Father Amasiorah was excited, too, not just about the past or the present but the possible future of his beloved little church on the hilltop. The jubilee anniversary milestones were two of many to come – the next two in his sights are being named a parish and building a new church. “When they built this church, it was a big church for them, because there were only a few families,” Father Amasiorah said. “Today, it is no longer a big church. It is grown so much.”
Father Innocent Amasiorah greets young parishioners after Mass. Longtime parishioners say the church has seen a spike in young families attending Mass.
PHOTOS BY TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
The physical elements of the church dedicated in 1976 look similar today. The stained glass windows were added later. In the foreground, six altar girls serve the overflowing Mass. Father Amasiorah challenged parishioners to build a new church to serve its growing population.
A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE
The church began like a mustard seed and grew like one. To sustain that growth, the congregation needs to make new plans, he said. “The people that came before us made room for us. In the next 50 years, the people who are coming after us should have enough room to stay and enough room for Jesus,” he said. “We need to make more room. … We cannot grow here. We need a bigger space.” He challenged them to fully commit themselves to the Diocese of Charlotte’s Making Room challenge to raise the funds needed for a new plot of land. “I put forth this challenge, like the bishop asks. … It is time to make more room for Jesus,” he said. He explained that the Church is not made of brick and mortar – but people. “You are God’s building. You are
(From left) Father Amasiorah’s folded hands echo Our Lady’s pose in the background. Burger kings battled with the taco queens on the other side of the lot, but the real winners were picnic attendees who got to sample the tasty fare. the temples of the Lord’s grace,” he said. “When we talk about the church, we talk about us. We talk about Jesus. We do not talk about the physical structure – it is us.” And with all the people, 120 registered families and more than 400 attending weekend Masses, he instilled hope in his flock that one day soon they would be recognized as a parish. “With 50 years of a church, with a number of resident-priests who have already come and gone, and we are still a mission church,” Father Amasiorah said. “Our
mission is to become a parish … and then we will begin to move forward.” The goal seems immense, but with Bishop Michael Martin’s vision and the Making Room philanthropic initiative, Father Amasiorah said he was hopeful.
CONNECTED TO THE PAST
Marlyn Allison, now 79, remembers a similar scene and plea for a new church in 1969 when she first joined Our Lady of the Angels as a new teacher. “Ten families met in a small
house to celebrate Mass. So much has happened since then. I became a little teary-eyed in there,” she said. “If these walls could talk, there were a lot of weddings, a lot of funerals, all kinds of ceremonies.” One of those weddings was her own 40 years ago to her husband, Keith Allison, who started coming in 1984, a Catholic convert from Old Fort. Father Amasiorah referred to her as “The Bridge” because she is the longest-standing member of the church, linking the “old”
church to the “new” church. “I was here the day that they dedicated this church. I was the organist,” she said. Although the numbers steadily grew, the demographics changed, with the Hispanic population quickly doubling and tripling the numbers of parishioners. One of the first Hispanic members, Melida Triplett, a Cuban immigrant, joined in 1986, before the rapid growth of the community started in the 1990s. “I think I was the only Hispanic in the county at that time,” she said. “I felt at home when I got to church here.” She and her husband got married there in 1987, and in the mid-1990s, she became the parish translator. “All the people here at that time were unmarried – some were children,” she said. “They all grew up. Now, they have their children and their children’s children. … Ever since, we have seen this church growing.” Although Father Amasiorah is originally from Nigeria, he feels a special bond with the flock he was assigned to in 2025. “I am happy to be here. They are like Nigerians in the way we worship,” he said. “They give their time, they give their talent, they are always available, they love to help, and they love to serve. This is the kind of Nigerian background I have.” Alfonso Navarrete, leader of the parish council, believes the Catholic Church is experiencing a revitalization that is being played out within the walls of their church. “There is revitalization in this church. I came back to my faith. Now, I am a reader. I am leading retreats and am chairman of the church. It’s a big challenge, but I have been learning a lot,” he said. “Some people are moving here, but some were gone from the faith for a while, but they are coming back.”
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
Diocese remembers Blessed Fulton Sheen What our priests say Five priests serving in the Diocese of Charlotte are from Blessed Fulton J. Sheen’s hometown of Peoria, Illinois. Here are a few of their thoughts on his influence:
PHOTOS PROVIDED
(From left) Jillian Tymo from St. Mark Parish in Huntersville treasures this picture of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen holding her mother in the 1950s. To this day, Our Lady of Grace’s Principal Catherine Rusch says a prayer whenever she touches the spot on the steps shown in the second picture. The altar boys in the third picture still remember the time the famous archbishop visited the diocese. Read their stories at www.Catholicnewsherald.com.
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LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org
HARLOTTE — They’ve laughed with him, prayed with him, learned from him, and on Sept. 24, parishioners from the Diocese of Charlotte joined with 50,000 Catholics to publicly venerate the television star, the American bishop, the soon-to-be saint – and the now Blessed Fulton Sheen. Archbishop Sheen left a lasting impression on this diocese through his visits to Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte and Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. Years after the charismatic “missionary evangelist” took to the radio and television waves, his legacy remains in the hearts of our priests, parishioners and religious. “He is the reason I spend an hour a day in Eucharistic Adoration,” said Father Lucas Rossi, one of the five diocesan priests raised in Sheen’s hometown of Peoria, Illinois, and pastor of St. John the Evangelist and Immaculate Conception in Canton. The beatification in St. Louis drew pilgrims from Our Lady of Grace, St. Mark in Huntersville, and Charlotte parishes St. Mary Syro Malabar, St. Matthew and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
PHOTO PROVIDED
St. Mark parishioners were among the pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte who made the trip to St. Louis for Blessed Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification. The archbishop made at least three visits to the diocese. stadium seating. “They were greeting each other so warmly, like it was real brotherhood, which was something that Sheen wrote about,” Rohan said. “I always enjoy processions, but this one just was wonderful and seemed endless.” Arn and Brigitte Vogt, Our Lady of Grace parishioners in their 80s, did not let their age stop them from making the trip for the long-awaited beatification of the man they grew up listening to. Up on the stage, a stand with a velour covering awaited, and Arn Volk knew that was where his picture would be unveiled when Sheen was formally beatified. “I had my video ready, and when he announced the words ‘the Blessed Fulton Sheen,’ I captured it on my camera,” Vogt said. “And oh, to hear the audience, all the people in the arena’s applause and all the excitement that took place. It was just gorgeous: the sights, the music, the sounds of it all.”
A LIFE WORTH CELEBRATING
Eileen Rohan, a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace, traveled with a group of eight from her parish and believes the event highlighted Sheen’s famed radio and TV series “Life Is Worth Living.” She remembers his blue eyes and booming voice when she saw him in person during his school dedication visit in Greensboro on Nov. 14, 1976. Through the years, she watched him on TV from her living room couch, in college and with her grandmother. She read his books as an adult, and this week traveled 700 miles to celebrate the religious figure she looked up to most of her life. “When they did the altar installation, revealed the official pictures of him, and brought up the relics and placed them on the altar … it just seemed so incredibly special,” Rohan said. Father Raymond Esuka Ekosse, parochial vicar, also went on the trip. “When Father Raymond entered seminary, there was a Sheen explosion throughout Africa,” Rohan related. “He learned all about Sheen. He watched
PHOTO PROVIDED
A group of eight parishioners traveled from Our Lady of Grace Parish. The archbishop visited their parish and blessed their school in the 1950s. Many were happy to share memories and photos from that visit. his videos and read all his books.” Now, wearing vestments with Sheen’s trademark, “JMJ” (Jesus, Mary, Joseph) embroidered on the back, Father Ekosse, a long way from his hometown in Cameroon, processed with clergy and religious, including Father Rajeev Valiyaveettil Philipas from St. Mary, while their parishioners watched from
A FAMILY TRIP
David and Carissa Scibor, St. Matthew parishioners, also felt called to bring their family. “We feel like the best way we can model the faith to our kids is to have them go and experience the faith. You want to talk about the richness of the faith. Go to a beatification Mass,” David Scibor said. Sitting in the main aisle, they had a clear view of James Fulton Engstrom, the young boy who was alive due to Sheen’s intercession and whose case advanced SHEEN, SEE PAGE 24
“Whenever I visit my family in Peoria, I always visit and pray at the tomb of Fulton Sheen at St. Mary’s Cathedral, asking for his intercession for Buettner our seminarians and priests. Perhaps his heavenly intercession has something to do with the remarkable growth of vocations in our diocese, but only God knows.” Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. John the Baptist in Tryon “Having an American bishop beatified is crucial for the Church. Bishops kind of have their own intercessor, and most bishops today would know him and Rossi probably grew up listening to his shows when they were little. So, it is good. It is going to bring tremendous renewal to the Church in the United States.” Father Lucas Rossi, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville and Immaculate Conception in Canton “He has always been one of my heroes … his preaching style has such a presence. His radio program and his books had an impact on me while I was Eckert going through seminary. He is kind of like one of those holy heroes I always looked up to.” Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart in Salisbury and diocesan vocations director “You could not be from Peoria and Catholic without having knowledge and affection for Bishop Sheen. That said, the specific influence he had, Kauth aside from his intercession, in our vocations was his clear teaching.” Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
PARISH ANNIVERSARIES
St. Matthew Parish makes a splash as it turns 40 CHARLOTTE — In 1986, a small faith community of 235 people attended Mass in a rented movie theater in Ballantyne. Today, more than 35,000 people call St. Matthew Parish home – making it one of the largest Catholic parishes in the nation. Bishop Michael Martin celebrated the Sept. 20 anniversary Mass, reflecting on one of his favorite works of art: Caravaggio’s “The Calling of St. Matthew,” famous for its study in light and contrast. The bishop reminded congregants that through light and darkness and life’s ups and downs, God calls each person like Jesus did St. Matthew – to follow Him and carry the cross. Bishop Martin praised St. Matthew as a missionary parish that reaches beyond its walls, drawing people to Christ and sending disciples out into the world. The new Catholic Community of Waxhaw, which is being formed from St. Matthew, is one sign that the parish’s influence continues to grow. After Mass, a Eucharistic procession led the faithful into an anniversary celebration featuring food trucks, music, face painting, a dunk tank featuring Father Nicholas Kramer, and bounce houses. PHOTOS BY TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
St. Frances of Rome Mission celebrates 60 years of faith SPARTA — St. Frances of Rome Mission celebrated its 60th anniversary Sept. 25 with a bilingual Mass celebrated by Father Jacob Mlakar, who was installed as pastor in 2024, and a celebratory dinner held afterward. Father Mlakar concelebrated the Mass with Father Jose Camilo Bardenas (right), the former Hispanic Vicariate
Ministry coordinator for the area and current pastor at Holy Trinity in Taylorsville The cake was made by parishioner Sara Sánchez Lagunes. The church was dedicated Sept. 25, 1966, by Bishop Vincent S. Waters of the Diocese of Raleigh. It has about 175 active households and is a mission of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson. PHOTOS PROVIDED
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Coming full circle Father Suttle returns home to lead Shelby parish LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org
SHELBY — Growing up in Shelby, Elliott Suttle never set foot inside the Catholic church less than a mile from his home. Decades later, after a journey that took him around the world, from agnosticism to Catholicism and ultimately to the priesthood, he has returned home as its pastor. Sporting his signature cowboy boots, Father Suttle was formally installed Wednesday as pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish – his first assignment as a pastor since being ordained at age 50 in 2024. “It’s an honor to be a pastor in my hometown,” Father Suttle said with his Southern drawl. “It’s great to be back in Shelby, and I think I have been well received thus far in my time here.” For parishioners, Father Suttle seems a natural fit. But his journey home was anything but direct. Growing up, he left his Southern roots and his Methodist faith behind, teaching in Japan and living around the country. He spent years as an agnostic before finding his thirst for truth quenched by the Catholic faith. He converted, entered seminary and was ordained a priest. Now, at 52, Father Suttle has come full circle – serving the Catholic community in the same town where his own journey of faith began. “Father Suttle grew up here and went to school here. He has a good understanding of Southern culture, and that’s unique,” says parishioner Brian Finnegan. “He is familiar with the locals and the town. He is pretty much the best possible option for this parish.” Bishop Michael Martin, who celebrated the Sept. 16 installation Mass, prompted loud applause when he announced during his homily that the congregation had “won the lottery” with Father Suttle as the prize. “You are indeed all lottery winners, not simply because you
PHOTOS BY TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Father Elliott Suttle signs the documents officially naming him as pastor of St. Mary Help of Christian Parish and then shares an embrace with Bishop Michael Martin. Sporting his signature cowboy boots, the Shelby native was happy to return to his hometown after a faith and life journey that has taken him around the world.
Bishop Martin told the congregation “you are indeed all lottery winners” with the choice of their pastor. The people in the pews responded with agreement and encouragement for Father Suttle. have a wonderful pastor,” Bishop Martin said. “I’m excited about what all of you will do together … that this community will be difference-making, in here and out there, if only we commit ourselves to follow Christ as true disciples.” He asked the more than 100 parishioners attending to set aside their laundry lists of wishes for
their new pastor and focus instead on their own service. “We are called to serve and every time we do, the cross is involved,” the bishop said. “We will have to die to ourselves. We will be martyred just a little bit every time we respond.” He encouraged parishioners to remember the needs of their new
pastor, the Church and God. “(Father Suttle) needs your love,” Bishop Martin said. “He needs to know that people are concerned about him, that people want to find ways to lighten his load. He commits himself to all that and more for you. Are you willing to do the same?” During the installation rite, the official letter of appointment was
Hispanic festival celebrates culture and community at Immaculate Conception FOREST CITY — The annual Hispanic Festival at Immaculate Conception Parish celebrated Hispanic culture and traditions with a variety of foods and colorfully dressed dancers. The Sept. 19 event represented the cultures of parishioners’ countries. Members of the Forest City Fire Department stopped by to let children climb aboard the fire truck, try on gear and receive toy firefighter hats. Forest City Mayor Steve Holland was also on hand. PHOTOS BY GIULINA POLINARI RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
read to the congregation, then Father Suttle made his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity and signed the documents officially naming him pastor. Finnegan, who attended the installation with his wife and two children, says he is already feeling lucky with his new pastor as he figures out his own role of discipleship. “This is a very Protestant area, and with his background as an adult convert, he will definitely be able to help us evangelize,” he says. Father Suttle also makes parishioner Mary Ellen Barker feel like a lottery winner, though she admits God has a sense of humor. “He was in school and attended the same classes with my children. The interesting thing is that I have six Catholic sons, not one is a priest, but the Methodist kid around the corner becomes a priest,” Barker laughs. “God works in mysterious ways. It’s so beautiful. You have to be open to God. You have to pray and to take part in the sacraments of the Church. Faith is something to embrace.”
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Parishes across the diocese will offer pet blessings in the days around St. Francis of Assisi’s Oct. 4 feast day. See the list below and check with your parish for updates.
Find a pet blessing in the Diocese of Charlotte CHARLOTTE — God’s creatures bring us companionship, comfort and plenty of joy, and each year pet parents across the Diocese of Charlotte have an opportunity to bring their beloved animals to our sacred spaces for a special blessing. In celebration of the Oct. 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology (read about his life on page 3),
parishes throughout the diocese will host Blessing of Animals events this October. Check with your parish for details, but events already scheduled include: n St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Noon Saturday, Oct. 3, in the parish center parking lot. Animals should be safely secured on a leash or in a carrier/cage for
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OCTOBER 30-31ST, 2026. FRIDAY 7-9 PM AND SATURDAY 9:30 AM-4:30 PM. $60 SUGGESTED DONATION. OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABLE.
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the wellbeing of all attendees. Weather permitting. n St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. 10 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Marian grotto (school parking lot). Short outdoor blessing; please arrive on time. Weather permitting. n Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury. 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, by the flagpoles. n St. Aloysius Church, 921 2nd St. N.E., Hickory. Time to be determined on Sunday, Oct. 4. n St. Frances of Rome Mission, 29 Highland Dr., Sparta. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, outside at the Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto. n St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in the courtyard. n St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in front of the church. n St. Francis of Assisi Church, 167 St. Francis Pl., Jefferson. 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, outside on the lower level. Don’t forget to bring any pet essentials to help keep things tidy. n St. Francis of Assisi Church, 328-B Woodsway Lane N.W., Lenoir. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the courtyard.
RELIEF FROM PAGE 5
school employee, Fedor is passionate about ensuring children have the nutrition they need to succeed in school. The parish and Catholic Charities also partnered Aug. 12 for a back-to-school giveaway for Madison County students. A grant secured by Catholic Charities from The David and Susan Schoenholz Foundation provided new backpacks and school supplies for elementary, middle and high school students. Hansen said the outreach grew directly from the parish’s response to Helene. “Our two churches rose to the challenge through our relief centers,” she said. “This brought our parishioners closer together as they spent countless hours
TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEW HERALD
Dogs, cats, birds, lizards and more are welcome at local pet blessings – just be sure to prepare your pet to interact with other animals and their humans. n St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. n Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 4207 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte. 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, outside the church. — Maria De Ugarte
volunteering to serve those affected by Helene’s devastation.” Partnering with rural parishes also enables Catholic Charities to reach people who may have difficulty traveling to Asheville for assistance, said Jesse Boeckermann, Catholic Charities’ Western Region director of external engagement. “The relationship between Catholic Charities and these two rural parishes is a working example of how to support a community,” Boeckermann said. For St. Andrew parishioners, the ministry also echoes their patron: the Apostle who brought the boy with five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus before the feeding of the 5,000. Today, their small parish continues that legacy – bringing what it has to Christ and sharing it with neighbors in need. — Donna Bange
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Local doctor honored with ‘Proudly Pro-Life Award’ In 1973, right after the Roe v. Wade decision, his mother lost her sixth child in her womb. “I remember I was there in the chapel at the hospital where we were having the baby’s funeral,” he recalled. “I saw all these doctors crying and upset, and it seemed strange to me, even at 8 years old, that they were all crying for our baby, but at the same time they supported the right for a mother to end the life of another child. That planted the seed.” The child she lost that day has now saved so many through her son, but as Tobias points out, the work continues.
LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org
CHARLOTTE — Familiar Catholic faces were present for the first Proudly Pro-Life Gala, hosted by the National Right to Life Committee in conjunction with North Carolina Right to Life. The event, which took place Sept. 17 in Charlotte, had many local priests, deacons and women religious in attendance. Yet it was the father of a local priest – Father Matthew Harrison, campus minister for High Point University – who took center stage among the crowd of 200 guests. Dr. Matthew Harrison, a local physician and father of seven, was the recipient of the 2026 “Proudly Pro-Life Award” – one of National Right to Life’s highest honors. Harrison, a member of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, is known for his medical breakthrough – the abortion reversal pill – which is credited with saving 8,000 babies and is available in all 50 states and more than 86 countries. “Dr. Matthew Harrison represents the very best of the pro-life movement – courage in the face of uncertainty, compassion for a mother in crisis, and an unwavering determination to save a child’s life,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “His willingness to act when a mother turned to him for assistance helped launch an effort that has given thousands of women a second chance to choose life for their babies,” she said.
MORE WORK TO BE DONE
A FRANTIC CALL
Harrison discovered the reversal method in 2007, when he received an emergency call. A frantic mother had ingested a dose of the abortion pill and regretted her decision. He worked quickly, preparing a progesterone hormone that was readily available in his office. “The abortion pill blocks the progesterone receptor,” Harrison said. “I just knew that if I gave some progesterone, it would outcompete the abortion pill and reverse the effects.” It worked, and now that child is a living, breathing testimony at 19 years old. The progesterone-based reversal pill can in many cases nullify the effects of the abortion pill if taken within 72 hours of the first dose. Demand for the reversal pill is surging because of easy access to the abortion pill through clinics and by
PHOTO PROVIDED
Dr. Matthew Harrison pioneered an abortion-reversal pill in 2007. The treatment has been credited with saving countless lives and is now available in all 50 states and 86 countries. mail order, making it responsible for 75% of abortions in the U.S. To combat it, pro-life organizations, clinics and centers have adopted the use of Harrison’s reversal pill. “We can start right outside the abortion clinic,” Harrison said. “They can get right in the mobile unit and get them an ultrasound. We can start the reversal process immediately.” Harrison took the award and adoringly gifted it to his 91-year-old mother, the woman responsible for stirring the courageous fight within her son.
“What we do matters,” Tobias told the crowd, “and National Right to Life cannot do this work from Washington alone. Our strength has always come from the partnership between the national organization and strong state affiliates.” Elisabeth Laskowski, director of North Carolina Right to Life and a member of St. Mark Parish, agrees. As she commended the efforts of those praying on the frontlines at abortion clinics and thanked God for the recent closing of “A Woman’s Choice” in Greensboro, she said there is more work to be done. “Since Roe was overturned four years ago, North Carolina is now the No. 2 most popular abortion destination in the country, unfortunately,” she said. “Plus, there has been a surge in monthly abortion pills mailed into our state. We went from 250 monthly shipments in 2023 to 750 in 2025.” At the gala, the organization announced a campaign to combat abortion tourism and chemical abortions called “Don’t Swallow the Lie.” Harrison’s wife Kathleen stood by his side. She is a fighter, too, and not only in front of abortion clinics or volunteering at pregnancy centers. She had four priests celebrate 81 Masses as she intently prayed for her then-Protestant husband’s conversion. In 2015, following the “nine-times novena,” Harrison came fully into the faith on Pentecost Sunday. The following year their son Matthew enrolled at the seminary. Now, Brian, their younger son, is in his second year as a seminarian in Rome. The couple and their family have become a faithfilled example to pro-life supporters and families around the world.
A life transformed by Christ Hispanic leader retires after 28 years of service
After marrying his wife, María Luisa, and starting a family of four children, he immigrated to North Carolina in 1988 with a work visa under the Simpson-Rodino law. He initially worked harvesting tobacco and settled in Siler City, then later in Asheboro.
IMMIGRATION AND SOCCER BRIAN SEGOVIA bmsegovia@rcdoc.org
Those who have had the opportunity to know Deacon “Nino” Enedino Aquino know of his commitment to the Church and his dedication to serving those most in need in the Hispanic community. For 28 years, Deacon Aquino has worked in Hispanic Ministry of the Diocese of Charlotte, serving the vicariates of Winston-Salem and Greensboro. Throughout that time, those who have worked with him have come to know firsthand his heart for immigrants and his dedication to the faith. Sister Joan Pearson, who worked with Deacon Aquino for more than two decades, said he had a gift for reaching out to those most in need. In the early years, Sister Joan accompanied Deacon Aquino to places where immigrant workers gathered in Forsyth County. There, they shared Bibles and holy water with men who worked in landscaping and construction. For Deacon Aquino, those encounters were opportunities to evangelize. “He was so good that we really brought the ministry to where the people lived. He explained that God was always walking alongside them,” said Sister Joan. “He showed me
PHOTO PROVIDED
Deacon Enedino Aquino is retiring after 28 years of serving in Hispanic Ministry in the diocese. Sister Joan Pearson recalled trips with the deacon to give Bibles to landscapers and construction workers. what a true missionary disciple looks like.” But the man who is now recognized for decades of service did not always live this way. Aquino had to go through his own process of transformation. Born in Tamaulipas, Mexico, on May 21, 1958, he was exposed to the faith from an early age. As a young man, he served as an altar boy and participated in his parish youth group, but over time he drifted from the Church.
After two years, he got a job at a chicken-processing plant, where he was able to better support his family for the next nine years. It was then that he rekindled a passion: soccer. With a semiprofessional refereeing license obtained in Mexico, he organized games and tournaments for a local league. He had dozens of teams and his own group of referees. His Sundays were completely devoted to soccer. “My children loved it, because I brought them out and they ate at restaurants and had good food, and it didn’t cost me much as president,” he said. However, his wife never stopped asking him every Sunday: “And what about the Church?” That persistence became the beginning of his return to the faith. “I went to church not because I wanted to, but out of conviction,” Deacon Aquino said. “My wife almost dragged me, because she would say, ‘Hey, what about the Mass?’ “I told her, look, I’m going to do one thing: one Sunday at church and three Sundays playing soccer,” he said. “Then three Sundays went by and I had to leave soccer and dedicate myself to the Church.” Little by little, he returned to Mass and eventually began DEACON, SEE PAGE 24
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Belmont Abbey College boosts national ranking BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College has earned national recognition for academic excellence, rising two places to the No. 10 spot in the Regional Colleges-South category in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college was also ranked No. 8 among top private regional southern colleges. U.S. News & World Report also named Belmont Abbey College the third-highestranked regional college in North Carolina, underscoring its growing national recognition. The college is the highestranked Newman Guide college in the region – an annual ranking of Catholic colleges created by the Cardinal Newman Society. “These rankings affirm what we hear consistently from our students and families: Belmont Abbey’s greatest strength is the quality of the education and formation students receive here,” said President Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley. “Our faculty are deeply invested in their students, and our community challenges them to pursue excellence while preparing them to lead lives of purpose and service.” This national recognition comes as Belmont Abbey maintains stable enrollment –its 1,693 students represent its second largest enrollment in a decade – and welcomes its largest class of traditional non-athlete students in eight years. Officials attribute the growth to interest in the college’s academic program offerings as well as its distinctive approach to Catholic higher education. “This recognition in the U.S. News rankings validates what we see every day: that more students and families are seeking an education dedicated to forming the whole person,” said Jesse Dorman, vice president of enrollment. “The strength
with 24 new students exploring the field through an introductory course.
‘Belmont Abbey’s greatest strength is the quality of the education and formation students receive here.’ Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley
President, Belmont Abbey College
PHOTO PROVIDED
Belmont Abbey College’s Family Day celebration Sept. 18 was particularly joyful this year as the college celebrates its 150th anniversary. of this year’s incoming class reflects the appeal of a Belmont Abbey education – an education that combines academic excellence, a close-knit community, and a strong Catholic identity. We are excited to welcome these students and see how they grow during their time at the Abbey.”
The nursing program welcomed 33 students this year, including 18 direct admits and 3 honors students, bringing total enrollment in the program to 125 students. Belmont Abbey’s unique motorsport program continues to attract students –including 12 female students –
The program is committed to educating and graduating more female students while helping to expand opportunities for women in the motorsport industry. This momentum reflects the appeal of combining a liberal arts education with the specialized knowledge and professional skills needed to pursue careers in dynamic fields such as motorsports and nursing. The Fall 2026 enrollment comes as Belmont Abbey celebrates its 150th anniversary, making it a milestone year for the college and its community. Founded in 1876, the college has remained committed to an education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and its Benedictine identity. — Belmont Abbey College
PHOTOS PROVIDED
‘These are our neighbors’ BLACK MOUNTAIN — The Catholic Community of Appalachia met for its 56th Annual Gathering Sept. 25-27 at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Center in Black Mountain. Members spent three days in prayer, fellowship and discussion of topics affecting the region, such as immigration and food insecurity. Bishop Michael Martin celebrated Mass on Sept. 27. Jesse Boeckermann, western region director of external engagement for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, participated in the panel on food insecurity. He discussed contributing issues, including food waste and loss of industry in the region. He shared recent statistics from Manna Food Bank that estimate 17-20% of people in western North Carolina experience food insecurity at any given time. “These are our neighbors,” he said, “these are the people down the street from us.” — Catholic News Herald
Our schools
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Holy Trinity Academy holds ribbon-cutting for newly renovated buildings CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org
CHARLOTTE — Holy Trinity Catholic Academy celebrated the start of a new era Sept. 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school’s recently renovated administration and Bishop Begley buildings. Bishop Michael Martin blessed and dedicated both buildings and spoke to a gathering of donors, students, staff and members of the Holy Trinity community. During his remarks, he talked about the role the upgrades will have in the lives of students and staff and called Holy Trinity a “light on a hill” that can be a symbol of Catholic identity and education to people who pass by on busy Park Road, which runs in front of the school. “This project is an example of what we do well in diocesan schools and what they do well at Holy Trinity – we remember the past, draw on the old traditions and respond to the needs of the present,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, diocesan superintendent of schools. Renovations to the two buildings were part of the first two phases of an $11.5 million, three-phase enhancement project at the school, which includes a grant of more than $1 million from Shea Homes for upgrades to the athletic field and fine arts classrooms. Wharton Smith was the contractor for the project, and Little Architects handled the design. In the administration building, science classrooms were rebuilt with new cabinetry, flooring, hanging ceilings and lighting, and an additional classroom was added for theology. The nurse’s
Bishop Michael Martin blesses the administration building, which received several upgrades.
TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
The Holy Trinity Catholic Academy community gathers Sept. 22 to officially open and bless two recently renovated buildings. office was reconfigured, all administrative offices redone and a conference room added. In the Begley Building, the formerly open-air, two-story library was closed in to add nine new classrooms, and the library was relocated to another part of the building. Ceilings and lighting were redone throughout the building, and a stairway was added indoors so students won’t have to go outside to access the second floor. Four offices and new bathrooms were added. Both buildings also have new HVAC systems. President Kevin Parks said the renovations add to the school’s rich history. The administration building dates to 1953 and is the oldest building on Holy Trinity’s campus, while the Begley building – named after Bishop Michael Begley, the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte – was added in the 1970s. “There is something particularly meaningful about taking buildings with this much history and preparing them for another generation,” Parks said. “We are not leaving that history behind – we are building upon it.” As Monroe noted: “This is proof of the continued growth and investment in the diocese. It’s exciting to think of what this
TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
The openings gave parents and supporters a chance to tour the newly renovated spaces. One student opened the festivities with a song before the blessings began. building will continue to offer to the school and the diocese in the future.” New signage was also added to the front of the school for the beginning of this school year. Principal Bobby Conrad said he was excited about the upgrades to Holy Trinity, which he said now looks very different from when he was a student there in the 1990s. “All of these new classrooms are great, because we had 11 teachers who floated from space to space last year,” Conrad said. “The
teachers like it and the students seem to really, really like it as well. This took a lot of cooperation and effort, and now our teachers and students are enjoying the fruits of the project.” After the ceremony Bishop Martin took a tour of the Begley Building, led by a group of student ambassadors, and he stopped to talk with students in several of the classrooms. The newly renovated buildings were the latest chapter in what is a year of innovations for Holy
Trinity. This year the school changed its name to Holy Trinity Catholic Academy to reflect its new approach to education. The school has started a transition toward blending single-sex core classes and co-ed electives to offer students a more tailored educational experience. This instructional method will be phased in over the next three years, starting this academic year for the sixth grade, seventh grade the following year, and eighth grade during the 2028-2029 year.
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Christ the King High School celebrates stadium upgrades LISA M. GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org
HUNTERSVILLE — The Christ the King High School Crusaders celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony before playing on their new turf under the Friday night lights Sept. 11 while students cheered from the new bleachers. “This is an exciting night for us all, as we add to the legacy of Christ the King,” said Principal Mark Tolcher. “From our humble beginnings some 15 years ago, the school has grown from 28 students to over 450.” This milestone is the first planned for CTK, as later this fall the school will open its building expansion, a $12 million project that started last October. It will expand the footprint of the school with new classrooms, a larger cafeteria, a band room and a Crusaders shop. “This year we celebrate 15 years of faith, reason and mission at CTK,” President Shaileen Riginos said. “You may have already noticed the Marian Grotto taking shape, or the greenhouse Father Cuppett has taken on near the cross that stands at the highest point. Soon, a Holy Family statue will watch over this field as well. “We invite you to keep believing in the mission as we lay the stones for the next 15 years and 15 after that.” Donor Jim Phillips said the spirit of the school must keep focused on the end goal. He reminded students that the Catholic faith is the cornerstone that must keep them grounded, and their greater responsibility is the goal of getting to heaven.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
The Christ the King community celebrates upgrades to its stadium Sept. 11 even as school officials reminded them to keep their ultimate goal in mind – honoring their Godgiven talents and nurturing their faith. (Below) Father John Cuppett, the school’s chaplain, blesses the field as students cut the ribbon. “There will be exciting victories, difficult losses, and countless memorable moments. But it will also be a classroom without walls,” Phillips said. “Here, students will learn to trust their teammates, respond to adversity, respect their opponents, and put the needs of the team above their own. They will learn that God has given each of them unique abilities, and that those gifts come with a responsibility to develop and use them well.”
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October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com
La gran alegría de ser católico hispano
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ecientemente, alguien me preguntó si había alguna característica distintiva que quisiera destacar sobre la experiencia de ser católico hispano en los Estados Unidos. Se me vinieron a la mente muchas: resiliencia, sentido de comunidad, generosidad, apertura, religiosidad, entre otras. Elegí la alegría. Sin embargo, tengo cuidado cuando hablo de la alegría. Hay demasiados estereotipos sobre las personas hispanas en nuestra sociedad, y uno de ellos es que los hispanos siempre están alegres. Las representaciones de los hispanos en los medios de comunicación como personas que viven en una celebración permanente o que siempre están sonriendo tienden a ocultar las dificultades que millones de personas hispanas enfrentan cada día. La tentación de contrarrestar esa generalización es presentar a los hispanos como personas que viven siempre en condiciones precarias o peligrosas, como víctimas pasivas de fuerzas desconocidas, esperando que alguien más venga a rescatarnos o ayudarnos. Muchos parecen desconfiar de las personas alegres. Si alguien sonríe demasiado, se supone que no es lo suficientemente serio como para asumir responsabilidades o ejercer liderazgo. Si alguien muestra una actitud alegre ante la vida, pronto surgen acusaciones de ser «demasiado emocional» o de no ser suficientemente reflexivo como para afrontar la realidad. En general, los católicos hispanos somos personas alegres. Nuestra alegría refleja convicciones profundas sobre la fe y la vida, nuestras relaciones con otros seres humanos y con el orden creado, así como nuestra manera de buscar la plenitud. Son muchas las fuentes que sostienen la alegría que identifica la experiencia católica hispana. A pesar de que muchos hispanos enfrentan grandes dificultades en nuestra sociedad, nuestro sufrimiento genera solidaridad y el deseo de sanar. Así como sabemos que no caminamos solos, tenemos la convicción de que, en medio del sufrimiento, miembros de nuestra comunidad nos acompañan y abogan por nosotros. La alegría que nace de ser salvados por Jesucristo, de caminar por el camino junto a los demás, de ver a Dios en todas las cosas con una imaginación sacramental y de saber que el sufrimiento genera solidaridad renueva a la Iglesia. Esta alegría no es exclusiva de la comunidad católica hispana. Es la alegría que experimenta cualquier persona o comunidad cuando se atreve a caminar con Jesús como discípulo suyo. Esta alegría es nuestra herencia mientras fortalecemos la experiencia católica en los Estados Unidos al vivir auténticamente como católicos hispanos. Mientras continuamos construyendo la Iglesia con los católicos hispanos, no olvidemos las razones profundas que hay detrás de la sonrisa, de la disposición a celebrar y de la actitud positiva. EL DR. HOSFFMAN OSPINO es profesor de teología y educación religiosa en Boston College.
Una vida transformada por Cristo Líder se retira luego de 28 años de servicio
planta procesadora de pollo, donde pudo apoyar mejor a su familia durante los próximos nueve años. Fue entonces cuando reencendió una pasión: el fútbol.
BRIAN SEGOVIA bmsegovia@rcdoc.org
Quienes han tenido la oportunidad de conocer al Diácono Enedino Aquino conocen su compromiso con la Iglesia y su dedicación a servir a los más necesitados en la comunidad hispana. Durante 28 años, Aquino ha trabajado en el Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, sirviendo a las vicarías de Winston-Salem y Greensboro. A lo largo de ese tiempo, quienes han trabajado con él han conocido de cerca su corazón por los inmigrantes y su dedicación a la fe. La hermana Joan Pearson, quien trabajó con Aquino durante más de dos décadas, explica que él tenía un don para acercarse a las personas más necesitadas. En los primeros años, Pearson acompañaba a Aquino a los lugares donde se congregaban trabajadores inmigrantes en el condado de Forsyth. Allí compartían Biblias y agua bendita con hombres que trabajaban en paisajismo y construcción. Para Aquino, aquellos encuentros eran oportunidades para evangelizar. “Era tan bueno que realmente llevábamos el ministerio hasta donde vivía la gente. Él explicaba que Dios estaba caminando a su lado siempre”, dijo Pearson. “Él me demostró cómo se ve un verdadero discípulo misionero”. Pero el hombre que hoy es reconocido por décadas de servicio no siempre vivió de esta manera. Aquino tuvo que atravesar su propio proceso de transformación. Nacido en Tamaulipas, México, el 21 de mayo de
INMIGRACIÓN Y FÚTBOL
FOTO PROPORCIONADA
El diácono Enedino Aquino se jubila después de 28 años de servicio a la Iglesia. Su camino de fe lo llevó de las canchas de fútbol a jugar en el equipo de Dios.
‘Él me demostró cómo se ve un verdadero discípulo misionero.’ La hermana Joan Pearson 1958, Aquino fue expuesto a la fe desde temprana edad. Desde joven fue monaguillo y participó en el grupo juvenil de su parroquia, pero con el tiempo se distanció de la Iglesia. Después de casarse con su esposa, María Luisa, y formar una familia de cuatro hijos, emigró a Carolina del Norte en 1988 con una visa
de trabajo, producto de la ley Simpson-Rodino. Inicialmente trabajó en el cultivo de tabaco y se estableció en Siler City y posteriormente en Asheboro. “Trabajábamos cortando tabaco y te cansa andar agachado”, recordó Aquino. “Y el insecticida que se usa es apestoso y pegajoso.” Luego de dos años Aquino consigió un trabajo en una
Festival Hispano celebra la cultura y la comunidad Un Festival Hispano anual se llevó a cabo el 19 de septiembre en la Iglesia Católica de la Inmaculada Concepción en Forest City. El festival celebró la cultura y las tradiciones hispanas con una variedad de comidas tradicionales representativas de varios países de Hispanoamérica, además de coloridos bailes tradicionales que entretuvieron a los asistentes durante todo el día. Miembros del Departamento de Bomberos de Forest City y el alcalde también participaron en las festividades.
FOTOS POR GIULINA POLINARI RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Con una licencia de arbitraje semiprofesional obtenida en México, Aquino organizó partidos y torneos de una liga local. Tenía decenas de equipos y un grupo propio de árbitros. Sus domingos estaban completamente dedicados al fútbol. “Mis hijos encantados, porque los traía a la calle y comían en restaurante y buena comida y no me salía caro cómo presidente”, dijo. Sin embargo, su esposa nunca dejó de preguntarle cada domingo: “¿Y la Iglesia?” Aquella insistencia se convirtió en el comienzo de su regreso a la fe.
LA GOTA QUE GOLPEABA
“Iba a Iglesia no por ganas, sino por convicción,” contó Aquino. “Casi me arrestraba mi esposa, porque ella decía, oye ¿Y la Iglesia?” Aquino describe a María Luisa como “la gota que golpeaba la piedra”. Por mucho tiempo Aquino no iba a Misa dedicandose al fútbol los domingos. Hasta que un día finalmente dijo que sí. “Le digo, mira, voy a hacer una cosa, un domingo a la Iglesia y tres domingos al fútbol,” dijo Aquino. “Después fueron tres domingos, y tuve que retirarme del fútbol y dedicarme a la Iglesia.” Poco a poco volvió a Misa, ENEDINO, PASA A LA PÁGINA 19
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
La visita del papa al Perú incluirá la inauguración de una estatua
Papa León XIV
Los avances tecnológicos no son rivales de la fe
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l progreso en la ciencia y la tecnología no es contrario a la fe en Dios, y los cristianos deben participar activamente en la configuración de ese progreso para que sirva a la dignidad humana y al bien común, afirmó el Papa León XIV. Continuando con su serie de catequesis sobre los documentos del Concilio Vaticano II, el Papa León reflexionó sobre la constitución conciliar “Gaudium et Spes”, en particular sobre su enseñanza acerca de la actividad humana y el progreso en el mundo. Creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios, el ser humano es un agente del progreso, dijo el Papa, y utiliza la libertad y la inteligencia para aumentar el conocimiento y promover el progreso de la sociedad. Sin embargo, a medida que se multiplicaban los logros científicos y tecnológicos, señaló, algunos pensadores comenzaron a presentar a Dios y a la humanidad como “rivales”: “Para afirmar sus conocimientos, su libertad y su progreso, el hombre debería emanciparse de Dios”. El Papa León calificó esa visión de errónea y citó al difunto teólogo jesuita Henri de Lubac, quien la describió como el “drama del humanismo ateo”. “Al negar la relación con Dios, al final se pierde también la posibilidad de afirmar el valor trascendente de la persona humana”, dijo el Papa. Citando la constitución conciliar, dijo que los cristianos, por el contrario, creen “que las victorias del hombre son signo de la grandeza de Dios y consecuencia de su inefable designio”. Los logros humanos, por lo tanto, no deben alejar a los fieles de su participación en el progreso científico, tecnológico o social, dijo. Más bien, el Evangelio los llama a participar en la construcción de la sociedad, manteniendo al mismo tiempo dicho progreso orientado hacia el florecimiento humano. “Llevemos a cabo nuestras actividades cotidianas con verdadera caridad, ofreciendo nuestro trabajo al Señor tanto como medio para la santificación personal como expresión de nuestro deseo de hacer realidad cada vez más plenamente el reino de Dios, especialmente mediante la búsqueda del bien común, el cuidado de los necesitados y la defensa de la dignidad humana”, dijo a los peregrinos de habla inglesa. La libertad y la actividad de la humanidad no son absorbidas ni anuladas por el encuentro con Dios, afirmó el Papa León. “Desde esta perspectiva surge una verdad importante: para encontrar a Dios, el ser humano no debe abandonar las ocupaciones terrenas, sino que puede vivir plenamente su propia vocación haciendo bien su trabajo cotidiano y santificándolo”, dijo.
DAVID AGREN OSV News
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a ciudad peruana del Callao anunció un homenaje inusual al papa León XIV antes de su visita al país sudamericano en noviembre: la estatua más grande del mundo del pontífice. La estatua del papa León, de 45,9 pies (14 metros) de altura, se ubicará en un parque frente al mar con vistas al océano Pacífico, en el Callao, situado en los suburbios del norte de Lima, la capital del país. “Esta obra será motivo de orgullo para todos los habitantes del Callao y un nuevo espacio para que nos reunamos como comunidad”, dijo el alcalde César Pérez, según el diario El Comercio. “Que la (estatua) sea un lugar que transmita fe, esperanza y unidad, y que esta escultura se convierta en un símbolo que acompañe a las familias”. El alcalde agregó que el gobierno local cedió el espacio del parque, mientras que una empresa privada proporcionó los VATICAN MEDIA | CNS fondos para la estatua. El papa León XIV, visto con obispos peruanos el 30 de enero de 2026, sostiene una imagen que le presentaron en Se espera que la estatua de acero y la que aparece Jesucristo en el centro, con santa Rosa de Lima, en la parte superior izquierda, y otras figuras de mármol del papa, con los brazos abiertos, la Iglesia. El papa León visitará Perú del 11 al 17 de noviembre. sea instalada antes de su llegada al Perú el 11 de noviembre. Pérez expresó su esperanza de que la estatua sea inaugurada durante líder relevante para el mundo y que dirá poder. … Han tenido grandes dificultades los cinco días que durará la visita del papa algo relevante para el país”, dijo el padre para encontrar puntos en común con los al Perú. El viaje – un regreso a casa para Gordillo. “Creo que la arquidiócesis cuales construir juntos un país. el papa León, quien obtuvo la ciudadanía (de Lima) y probablemente también la “Por otro lado, hay una Iglesia que peruana mientras se desempeñaba como conferencia episcopal esperan eso”. intenta acompañar un proceso de diálogo, obispo de Chiclayo— culminará una gira de Se espera que el papa León visite Lima, de apertura, y que procura estar cerca 11 días por Sudamérica, que incluye visitas a Chiclayo, Pucallpa y Cusco entre el 11 y el de las bases”, continuó. “Es un país con Uruguay y Argentina. 17 de noviembre. Los observadores señalan cierto grado de complejidad, pero el papa que el viaje abarca las tres regiones del siempre será bienvenido, y confiamos EL PAPA LLEGARÁ AL CALLAO Perú: la costa, la sierra y la selva, cada en que su presencia será una presencia Se espera que el papa León llegue al una de las cuales representa diferentes de unidad. Y de diálogo. Eso es lo que se Callao, donde se encuentra el aeropuerto culturas y realidades socioeconómicas. necesita”. internacional de Lima, pero que no pase tiempo en la ciudad, a pesar de haber Un grupo de personas servido como administrador apostólico de de la ciudad peruana de la Diócesis del Callao durante 13 meses, Monsefú, en la provincia hasta mayo de 2021. de Chiclayo, donde el papa Pérez recordó que el papa León recorrió había ejercido como obispo unas 475 millas (764 kilómetros) desde durante ocho años, sostiene Chiclayo hasta el Callao durante la un cartel deseándole un pandemia de COVID-19, donde, según feliz cumpleaños al papa declaró el alcalde a EFE, “supervisó León XIV mientras se unen donaciones de alimentos, ayudando a al papa para el rezo del quienes tienen menos y más necesitan. Ángelus en la Plaza de San Esa era la manera de trabajar de Robert Pedro, en el Vaticano, el Prevost cuando era administrador de la 14 de septiembre de 2025. Diócesis del Callao”. El papa León visitará Perú La estatua que se está construyendo del 11 al 17 de noviembre de en el Callao refleja la importancia y 2026. popularidad del papa León en su país VATICAN MEDIA | CNS adoptivo, donde observadores católicos afirman que se ha convertido en el peruano más destacado del mundo La agenda oficial del viaje del papa al El papa León llegará a Buenos Aires el desde su elección en mayo de 2025. Los Perú se publicará poco después de que 8 de noviembre. El arzobispo Jorge García observadores señalan que la expectativa se reciba la confirmación del Vaticano, Cuerva de Buenos Aires ha proporcionado por el viaje papal es especialmente prevista alrededor del 15 de septiembre, detalles del itinerario propuesto del papa, fuerte en el norte del Perú, donde el papa dijo el obispo Carlos García Camader que en la capital argentina incluye la León sirvió como misionero agustino y de Lurín, presidente de la Conferencia celebración de una misa en el Monumento posteriormente como obispo de Chiclayo Episcopal Peruana, a Agencia Andina. a los Españoles; un encuentro con líderes entre 2015 y 2023. El papa Francisco visitó el Perú en 2018. El sindicales, trabajadores y funcionarios “Lo que se está promoviendo” por parte fallecido pontífice nunca visitó su Argentina públicos y privados en la Pontificia de los líderes de la Iglesia peruana “es natal después de ser elegido en 2013. Nunca Universidad Católica Argentina; y una visita cuán importante es tener un papa peruano expresó las razones por las que no visitó al Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione, que y qué bueno es que esté regresando”, dijo su país de origen, pero observadores de la atiende a personas con discapacidades del el padre jesuita José Luis Gordillo a OSV Iglesia señalan las profundas divisiones desarrollo. También se espera que el papa News. políticas en Argentina como un posible León visite una prisión en Buenos Aires. motivo. Funcionarios de la Iglesia esperan El papa pasará el 10 de noviembre ‘RELEVANTE PARA EL MUNDO’ que la visita del papa León pueda fomentar en la ciudad de Córdoba, ubicada Los líderes de la Iglesia han promovido la unidad entre los argentinos. aproximadamente a 425 millas (684 las enseñanzas del papa León antes de la “Es un país muy polarizado”, dijo kilómetros) al noroeste de Argentina, visita, “con el resultado de que se hace el obispo Dante Braida de La Rioja, donde celebrará una misa y posteriormente énfasis en el papel de (el papa) León como Argentina, a OSV News. “Hay dos sectores se reunirá con sacerdotes, religiosos y alguien que será un líder relevante, un políticos enfrentados que compiten por el seminaristas en la catedral local.
Arts & entertainment
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
Catholic Country
and
Singer shares faith through music
CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS | clknauss@rcdoc.org
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REENSBORO — You don’t often see someone witness to their Catholic faith while wearing a cowboy hat, but for the past three years that’s been the goal for country music artist Bradley Banning. Banning has songwriting in his blood. The Texas native has written songs since childhood, inspired by his songwriter father and the countless hours he spent listening to music with him. He became Catholic in 2015 and started releasing his own music in 2016. His 2017 single “Don’t Mess with Texas” made the top 20 on charts in Texas, an indicator of future success because of the state’s huge role in the national country music scene. Over the next few years, Banning saw a divergence between mainstream country music and the message of faith he wanted to share, so he switched to overtly “Catholic country music” around 2023. He was in Greensboro for two shows Sept. 18 and 19 – a solo show aimed at families and then a volunteer appreciation event that featured both Banning’s music and country line dance lessons led by Rick and Trish Edwards, parishioners at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville who run a line-dance instruction company. Banning took time during his visit to share his thoughts on making Catholic country music: CNH: Country music is not a genre that’s known for having a lot of Catholic artists. What has the experience been like? Banning: There are some Catholics making country. I’ve met artists like Clay Walker, who is a convert as well (Walker came into the Church in 2017), and Craig Morgan is also Catholic. I’m seeing more and more that there are Catholics in this genre, but it can be really hard to share your faith because it’s true many country artists come from Protestant or nondenominational upbringing. I’ve made a joke where you hear a lot of songs about dating or marrying a preacher’s daughter that you met at the First Baptist Church, but there’s never a song about meeting someone at Mass at St. Mary’s. CNH: What led you to change focus in your songwriting? Banning: I wasn’t enjoying the music business. I didn’t relate to it. I really started thinking it was all vanity. I saw a lot of country music lyrics focused on the hook-up culture, on being an outlaw and a rebel, and not in a good sense. I decided if I was going to influence the culture, I wanted to do it in a good way.
MARYANN LUEDTKE PHOTOGRPAHY
Country music recording artist Bradley Banning experienced commercial success in 2017, then pivoted when he realized that the lyrics of many country songs were glorifying things that went against his Catholic faith. He switched to recording Catholic country music.
Famous Catholic country artists Clay Walker is a Texas native who had major hits during the late 1990s with singles including “What’s It to You,” “Live Until I Die” and “If I Could Make a Living.”
Alcohol was also talked about a lot in lyrics, not in a good way, and I wanted to address that. I’m not a big drinker, but I’ll occasionally have a couple, and I wanted to find a way to write a song about just going out two-stepping and maybe
Craig Morgan, originally from Tennessee, became a Catholic in 2017. His hit singles from the 2000s and 2010s include “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club” and “Bonfire.”
having a drink with friends, but not the kind of alcohol culture you see in some country lyrics. I started being more intentional, trying to write songs about faith, family and real life. CNH: Have you released any sacred music?
MARYANN LUEDTKE PHOTOGRPAHY
Banning performed during a volunteer appreciation event at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro. Line dancing instructors taught participants some new steps just in time for his concert.
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Banning: I recorded a version of “Stabat Mater” that a friend asked me to do, and it was a very encouraging experience. CNH: What reaction have you received since you made the change to pursuing music as a ministry? Banning: The reception has been great overall. There are always some people who either don’t understand where I’m coming from or the message, but that’s often because they don’t know the full picture. For the most part the shows and events have gone well, and I’ve had really great response to both my testimony and my work of sharing my faith through country music. CNH: How did you come to the Catholic faith? Banning: I was living in Nashville and had been going to a bunch of different churches because I felt that being in church on Sunday helped my week to go smoother. One night I was invited to Mass by a friend of mine who was in the process of coming back to the Church. I knelt down on the kneeler and I knew I was home. I’m not usually a crier, but I started crying for some reason, and that was the beginning. Over the next two years, God really stepped in in a big way. My life had been going in a different direction, and I really didn’t know if I needed to fully become Catholic or not. But over a short period of time, I was fired from my job and my girlfriend broke up with me, so I told God, “I hear you. When does OCIA start?” and I came to the Church. I really experienced some pretty mystical things, and I had a great community of people around me who helped me enter the Church. It was all just grace from God. CNH: What artists have been a big influence on you? Banning: I’ve loved country artists like George Strait and Keith Urban. But I’m also a huge fan of songwriters. If I like a songwriter, I’ll look for their credits on the CDs and follow their work. Among the songwriters I like there’s my dad, one of my major musical influences, and writers like Dean Dillon and Paul Overstreet. (Dillon wrote many songs for George Strait and also penned the song “Tennessee Whiskey,” which has been recorded by several artists, including Chris Stapleton, and is considered a modern classic. Overstreet’s songs have been recorded by George Jones, The Judds, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Blake Shelton and many others.) CNH: Do you pray before you write a song and do you have any particular saint or devotion that influences you? Banning: A lot of times the songwriting is much more fulfilling and you write something much more intentional and Christ-focused when you pray at the beginning. I’ve dedicated a lot of songs I’ve written to particular saints that inspired the idea, and I’ll ask the saint to pray for the people who hear the song. I do have one song, “Be a Kid,” that was inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux, and I specifically dedicate it to her. CNH: As a Catholic musician, what would be your advice to other Catholics who want to share both their faith and their artistic talents – whether that’s through music, writing or art? Banning: Just pray and ask God to make you the man or woman He has asked you to be and wants you to be. It’s about being intentional, using your gift and not being afraid to use it in faith. For me, it’s not about building a catalog or building a business – it’s about being a more authentically Catholic version of myself.
More online At www.bradleybanning.com: Listen to his music and learn more
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
University president: AI generating mental health crisis KIMBERLEY HEATHERINGTON OSV News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ever-increasing presence of artificial intelligence, with AI in every sphere of daily life, is generating a mental health crisis that threatens adults and children alike, according to Father Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy University, a private Catholic graduate school of psychology and counseling in Sterling, Virginia. It’s a particularly timely message as Mental Health Sunday – part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Catholic Mental Health Campaign – approaches on Oct. 11, when the faithful are invited to pause and reflect on mental health in their local parish community. The bishops have encouraged all Americans to respond to what they term “the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States.” Father Sikorsky, a member of the Legionaries of Christ, shared his insights Sept. 5 at the St. John Paul II National Sikorsky Shrine in Washington. It was the second dialogue exploring Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.” The subtitle of Pope Leo’s encyclical, said Father Sikorsky, “kind of identifies what it’s about – but the deeper concern really is anthropological: Who are we? What does it mean to be human? What understanding of the person should guide technological and social development?” Using a framework developed by David Rosmarin, director of the Spirituality and Mental Health Laboratory
DADO RUVIC, REUTERS | OSV
Father Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy University, said Pope Leo’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” can be “of tremendous importance” in addressing AI’s impact on mental health. He cautioned that it can play into what he calls a growing identity crisis that has people looking for validation from external sources. at Harvard Medical School’s McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, Father Sikorsky examined AI’s impacts. “There’s a crisis of identity in general in our culture – people don’t have the same roots they used to have,” he said. Globalization; domestic and international migration; the decline in religious adherence; fractured families; frequent job changes – all of these can profoundly impact an individual’s sense of self, he suggested.
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“And AI can really feed this identity crisis,” Father Sikorsky noted, “when people are looking outside of themselves for that stability, for that identity, for who they are.” AI can be highly disruptive to interpersonal connectivity, Father Sikorsky noted – especially in a society already suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. A 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General stated loneliness can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In 2024, the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Making Caring Common project reported 29% of people between 30 to 44 years of age said they were “frequently” or “always” lonely. Americans are increasingly turning to AI chatbots – computer programs that imitate human conversations – for company. “Character AI” – a platform with more than 20 million monthly users – offers hyper-realistic digital companions. Some parents have blamed chatbot behavior for the suicide deaths of their children. The dangers of AI and loneliness, said Father Sikorsky, are clear, and among the tools to combat them are education for children in the use of AI, and maintaining strong communal bonds through a parish community. Meaning, Father Sikorsky emphasized, can’t be determined by technology – a chatbot can’t say why a person’s life matters or why they are here. “AI can assist in reflection – but it can’t assume moral responsibility. It can’t help us discern our path; live out our vocation, our calling. It can’t love,” he said. Those answers, he emphasized, are found in the Church. “Ultimately, the real solution is this gift of faith,” he said. “It also gives us community to help us in that struggle of loneliness and connection. And it obviously gives us meaning. It answers all those existential questions.”
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and lift our Nation upward and ever higher to God,” he said.
McElroy: Americans can no longer ignore immigrant treatment
In Brief Pope Leo shares memories of Blessed Fulton Sheen ABOARD PAPAL PLANE — On the papal flight to Paris Sept. 25, Pope Leo XIV recalled spending time with his family as a child watching Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, who was beatified the day before in St. Louis, sharing the truths of the faith on television. “We watched him as a family,” the pope said. “It was a way of … spending some time together as a family with the truths, with the teachings that he shared in such an enthusiastic, lively way. “The message that he had was something that really came home to people and I think helped us as a family,” he added. The 71-year-old pope also joked, “I’m that old.” Pope Leo acknowledged that he would have liked to attend the beatification of Blessed Sheen, whom he noted was also originally from Illinois. “I received messages during the beatification ceremony yesterday writing and saying, ‘Why weren’t you here?’ That would’ve been so great,” he said of the beatification of Archbishop Sheen, which took place in St. Louis Sept. 24 with an estimated 50,000 people in attendance.
White House says Archbishop Sheen’s legacy endures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy urged Americans to actively support unauthorized immigrants suffering under the U.S. government’s mass deportation policies, invoking the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan during a Mass for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees Sept. 27 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. He said Americans should not imitate the priest and Levite who ignored the wounded man on the roadside, but instead McElroy respond like the Good Samaritan by helping those in need. Cardinal McElroy condemned what he described as the suffering inflicted by mass deportation efforts, saying citizens could no longer remain indifferent. “For us as a nation we can pass by no more,” he said, calling on Americans to recognize and oppose injustices carried out in their name. He urged people to challenge political leaders who tolerate such policies and, if necessary, replace them. The Mass, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach, highlighted the Church’s support for migrants and refugees. Before the liturgy, participants prayed a multilingual rosary, reflecting the cultural diversity of immigrant communities and the Church’s commitment to welcoming them.
19
ENEDINO
dijo Aquino. “Él se encargó de formarme y yo fui creciendo con él.”
VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 15
LLAMADO AL DIÁCONADO PERMANENTE
y eventualmente empezó a servir en su parroquia cómo lector. “Mi mujer con ese codo santo, pegaba duro en las costillas.”, explicó, referiendose a cómo insistía su esposa cuando se buscaba voluntarios. “Hasta que un día levante la mano, y empece a leer”. En San José de Asheboro, Aquino asumió nuevas responsabilidades: formación para bautismos, grupos de hombres y preparación matrimonial. Posteriormente, el Padre Finnerty, entonces director del Ministerio Hispano diocesano, lo invitó en septiembre de 1998 a convertirse en el primer coordinador del Ministerio Hispano. En Winston-Salem, Aquino comenzó a organizar capacitaciones, retiros y otros eventos que hicieron crecer significativamente el ministerio en la vicaría. “Fui el primero que invitó a trabajar”,
Invitado también por el P. Finnerty, Aquino empezó su discernimiento del diaconado permanente. Explica que el llamado fue fuerte, pero que vino con grandes desafíos. “Me entregó un folleto en inglés y decía que era necesario que hablará los dos idiomas, pero el Padre Vicente me dijo, ‘Aplica’,” explica Aquino. Cómo su inglés era muy limitado, Aquino tuvo muchas dificultades con los estudios, y inicialmente su solicitud fue rechazada, pero, gracias a su hija, quien busco ser el apoyo necesario en ese momento, Aquino no se dio por vencido. Con la ayuda de su familia y largas horas de estudio, después de cuatro años de estudio en inglés, un idioma que no dominaba, fue finalmente ordenado el 29 de enero de 2011. “Dios susurra al corazón del hombre, y cuando tú prestas los oídos a Dios, Dios te dice dónde te quiere,” dijo Aquino. “El Señor siempre supo dónde me quería.”
— OSV News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Shortly before the Sept. 24 beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in St. Louis, the White House issued a presidential message marking the occasion. “Melania and I join all those celebrating the life and legacy of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – the Catholic priest who pioneered the use of media to speak the truth, preach the Gospel, and bring many souls closer to Christ,” the Sept. 24 message issued by President Donald Trump said. “Today, Archbishop Sheen will become the first-ever American-born bishop to be beatified by the Catholic Church.” Archbishop Sheen’s legacy, he continued, “endures in homes, churches, and communities all across our country.” “Today, as thousands of Americans gather in St. Louis, Missouri, for his Beatification Mass, we pray that Archbishop Sheen’s heroic commitment to nourishing the soul of our country will inspire others to follow his example
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Pope Leo tells Special Olympics athletes they ‘remind everyone of the true values of life’ DEBORAH CASTELLANO LUBOV Vatican News, OSV News
Addressing a delegation from the Special Olympics, Pope Leo XIV recalled his own great fondness of sports and invited them to live holy lives following the example of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who knew how to translate the values of sport into a holy life. “I entrust you to the intercession of Mary and of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young sportsman like you who, in love with Jesus, together with many friends, knew how to translate the values of sport into a good and generous life, into a holy life,” the pope said. At the Vatican Sept. 19, Pope Leo received the Italian athletes from the Special Olympics who took part in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. The Special Olympics is an international organization that promotes sports for people with intellectual disabilities. It was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. It operates in more than 190 countries and involves around 5 million athletes worldwide. Its official motto is: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” The HolyMutual Father began by expressing hisAdjoy at meeting Ave Maria Funds – 10.375 x 6.26 Arroyo | 2026 09
with the delegation. “As you know,” Pope Leo said, “I too am very fond of sport, and I am convinced of its great educational value, because it teaches people noble and authentic values.” To take part in sports, the Holy Father recognized, means committing oneself seriously and working hard, and then sharing the fruits of one’s perseverance with loyalty, trust, openness, team spirit and courage. “Our world,” he said, “is greatly in need of people who, like you, remind everyone of the true values of life; of men and women who, through their example, show that the path of sharing and love is the only path that truly leads to happiness and peace.” The Holy Father recalled that sport is one of those “universal languages” that transcends cultural, social, religious and physical differences and succeeds in bringing people together. With this sentiment, the pope thanked them for their presence, for the genuine joy they bring, and for the positive message they embody, while encouraging the athletes, coaches, officials, assistants and collaborators SIMONE RISOLUTI, VATICAN MEDIA | OSV NEWS to continue their work with enthusiasm. Pope Leo concluded by encouraging them to live holy Pope Leo is embraced by a member of a delegation from the Special lives and by imparting his apostolic blessing. Olympics during a private audience at the Vatican Sept. 19.
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October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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In Brief
SARAH MEYSSONNIER, REUTERS | OSV NEWS
Pope Leo takes part in a celebration of vespers at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Sept. 25 as part of his four-day apostolic journey to France.
Pope Leo prays in Notre Dame, 7 years after devastating fire PARIS — For the first time since the world watched as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned in the devastating 2019 fire, a pope stepped inside the famous Gothic cathedral. Pope Leo XIV called on Catholics in France to be “living stones” of a Church that bears witness to how God’s love restores and heals humanity. It was an emotional moment for many French Catholics as the pope led prayers Sept. 25 inside Notre Dame, which reopened to the public in December 2024. “This Cathedral has been reborn so that you, too, may be reborn with it in a new impetus towards holiness and daily mission,” Pope Leo told the bishops, priests, deacons and religious men and women gathered inside. Church bells rang out across the city of Paris to welcome the pope to the French capital. Pope Leo greeted crowds on the streets as the popemobile traveled from the UNESCO headquarters near the Eiffel Tower to the Place Saint-Michel, a public square across from the Ile de la Cite, the island in the center of the River Seine where Notre Dame is located. The Holy See Press office said an estimated 300,000 Parisians greeted the pope as he drove through the city. After vespers, the pope stood outside of the cathedral under its iconic gargoyles and bell towers to sing the “Salve Regina” before a statue of Mary with the crowd.
Pope Leo venerates ‘holy tunic,’ highlights Christian unity PARIS — Pope Leo XIV made history during his Sept. 25-28 visit to France as the first pope
to venerate the Holy Tunic of Argenteuil, the relic long believed to be the seamless robe worn by Christ during his Passion. On Sept. 25, after visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, where he is scheduled to pray before the crown of thorns, the pope will travel to the Stade de France for an evening prayer vigil with 80,000 young people. The tunic will be brought to the stadium especially for the event, a move local authorities have called “exceptional,” “unprecedented” and “historic.” Venerated in France for more than 1,200 years, the tunic was entrusted to the Abbey of Argenteuil around the year 800. Hidden in pieces during the French Revolution and later restored, it remains one of the country’s most significant Christian relics. The vigil’s theme will be Christian unity, inspired by the garment’s seamless nature. Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Pontoise, the relic’s custodian, has emphasized its spiritual significance as a symbol of unity among Christians. Interest in the papal event has been intense. Tickets for the vigil were claimed within minutes, while many more young Catholics will follow the gathering through parish and school watch events across France.
Notre Dame professor wins 2026 Ratzinger Prize from Vatican VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has named University of Notre Dame theologian John Cavadini the recipient of the 2026 Ratzinger Prize, an honor sometimes described as the “Nobel Prize of Theology.” Pope Leo XIV will present Cavadini with the award Dec. 19 at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. The pope personally approved his selection by the scientific committee of the Joseph RatzingerBenedict XVI Vatican Foundation. Cavadini has Cavadini taught at Notre Dame since 1990, specializing in patristic and early medieval theology, particularly the work of St. Augustine. He also directed Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life from 2000 to 2026. In a statement, Cavadini said he has sought to live his vocation as both “a man of the Church” and “a man of academia,” adding that he was grateful the prize recognized both dimensions. Established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011, the Ratzinger Prize recognizes distinguished scholarship and research.
Vatican’s top diplomat pushes 2-state solution, ‘limits’ on AI UNITED NATIONS — The Vatican secretary of state on Sept. 24 reiterated the Holy See’s support for a two-state solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict in the Middle East and
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also called for limits on the fast pace of the development of artificial intelligence, or AI. “The Holy See’s position is clear: The two-state solution, based on secure and internationally recognized borders, is the only viable and equitable path toward a just and lasting peace,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin told world leaders and top diplomats at high-level meetings during the United Nations General Assembly. The two-state solution is a proposed peace plan to resolve the IsraeliPalestinian conflict by creating two separate, independent countries: Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people, and Palestine for the Palestinian Parolin people in state based on the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. “The Holy See continues to uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” said Cardinal Parolin, affirming their desire for “freedom, security and dignity within an independent and sovereign state” is a “legitimate aspiration.” In another address Sept. 23, Cardinal Parolin also urged the international community to place limits on the rapid development of artificial intelligence, highlighting Pope Leo XIV’s growing concern about the ethical, social and human consequences of emerging technologies, and that such limits on AI would be “an exercise of responsible care for the human family.”
Pope Leo to travel 19,000 miles on 14 flights during trip VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will travel more than 19,000 miles on 14 flights during a 12-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November, according to the schedule released by the Vatican Sept. 21. The Nov. 6-17 journey will be Pope Leo’s first papal visit to Latin America and his longest international trip to date. He will celebrate nine public Masses, visit seven cathedrals and preside over two stadium prayer vigils. The pope begins in Uruguay, where he will visit Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida and celebrate Mass at the National Sanctuary of Our
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Lady of the Thirty-Three. In Argentina, Pope Leo will visit Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján, home to the national shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Luján. It will be the country’s first papal visit since 1987. The trip’s longest leg will take Pope Leo to Peru, where he served for years as a missionary and bishop. He will visit Lima, Cusco, Pucallpa and Chiclayo, where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023, before returning to Rome. The journey begins Nov. 6 with a flight of more than 14 hours and 6,900 miles from Rome to Montevideo, Uruguay. The return flight from Lima, Peru, to Rome covers 6,700 miles. In between, the pope will travel to a new destination nearly every day.
Polish, Ukrainian presidents condemn fatal stabbing of priest WARSAW, Poland — A priest was killed and four other people were wounded in a knife attack at a Catholic complex in southeastern Poland Sept. 24, prompting condolences from Poland and Ukraine and appeals from Church leaders not to allow the crime to fuel hatred. Police said they detained a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen shortly after the attack at the Benedictine sisters’ abbey in Jaroslaw, a city about 20 miles from Poland’s border with Ukraine. The violence erupted shortly before a morning Mass at the Church of St. Nicholas and St. Stanislaus, part of the Center for Christian Formation and Culture located on the abbey grounds. Five people were stabbed, three priests and two laypeople, a man and a woman. Father Stanislaw Zbojniewicz died from his injuries. Two other priests remained in serious condition Sept. 25 after undergoing surgery and surviving the night, according to the director of the hospital in Jaroslaw. According to prosecutors, the suspect, who was arrested on the scene, entered the abbey complex and went into its kitchen area, where the violence began, before the attack moved toward the church. Archbishop Adam Szal of Przemysl asked Catholics to pray for the dead priest, the wounded and their families, as well as for the attacker and his conversion. — OSV News
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Dr. Hosffman Ospino
S
The great joy of being Hispanic Catholic
omeone asked me recently if there was a defining characteristic I would highlight about the experience of being Hispanic Catholic in the United States. So many came to mind: resilience, communality, generosity, openness, religiousness, among others. I chose joy. I tread with care when I speak of joy, though. There are far too many stereotypes about Hispanic people in our society, and one of them is that Hispanics are always joyful. Media portrayals of Hispanics in a perennial festive mode or always smiling tend to hide the struggles that millions of Hispanic people face every day.
‘For Hispanic Catholics, the world is a reality permanently charged with the possibility of encountering God.’ The temptation to counter that generalization is to portray Hispanics as people always in precarious or dangerous conditions, passive victims of unknown forces, waiting for someone else to rescue us or help us. Many seem suspicious of joyful people. If one smiles too much, then it is assumed that one is not serious enough to assume responsibility or take leadership. If one exhibits a cheerful attitude toward life, charges of being “too emotional” or not sufficiently thoughtful to take charge of reality soon emerge.
PROFOUND CONVICTIONS SUSTAIN JOY
To appreciate joyfulness when speaking of a community, we must recognize that external gestures often reveal deep narratives and time-tested convictions. A smile, a celebratory predisposition and a positive attitude are signs of a community’s worldview shaped over time. Hispanic Catholics by and large are joyful people. Our joy reflects profound convictions about faith and life, our relationships with other human beings and the created order, and how we seek fulfillment. Many sources sustain the joy that
identifies the Hispanic Catholic experience. Jesus Christ is the bedrock of Hispanic Catholic faith. Jesus is the Savior. He reveals the God of life who lifts up the vulnerable and the poor. Jesus defeated death and the powers of evil to give us life. He journeys with us in history and meets us in the sacraments as our Hermano. To be Hispanic Catholic is to know oneself as part of a community of baptized sisters and brothers who speak a common language: the language of familia. Regardless of our many places of origin or the conditions that shape our lives, at the end of the day we are one family, the Hispanic Catholic family. In this family one experiences belonging, solidarity and support. In the Hispanic Catholic imagination, the world is not a cold and dark place where people perceived as enemies wait in every corner seeking our destruction. For Hispanic Catholics, the world is a reality permanently charged with the possibility of encountering God. We discover something new about God every time we celebrate the Eucharist, pray by the small altar at home or learn about a miracle.
SUFFERING BRINGS US TOGETHER
Despite the fact that many Hispanics struggle significantly in our society, our suffering engenders solidarity and the desire for healing. Just as we know that we do not journey alone, we have the conviction that in the midst of suffering members from our community accompany and advocate for us. The joy that springs from being saved by Jesus Christ, journeying along the way with others, seeing God in all things with sacramental imagination, and knowing that suffering engenders solidarity renews the Church. This joy is not exclusive to the Hispanic Catholic community. It is the joy that any person or community experiences when daring to walk with Jesus as His disciples. This joy is our inheritance as we strengthen the U.S. Catholic experience by being authentically Hispanic Catholic. As we continue to build the Church with Hispanic Catholics, let’s not forget the deep reasons for the smile, the celebratory predisposition and the positive attitude. DR. HOSFFMAN OSPINO is a professor of theology and religious education at Boston College.
Katie Yoder
The painful reality of abortion A t the end of every March for Life I see them: Dozens of women in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington holding up signs that read, “I Regret My Abortion.” They share their stories each year with tens of thousands of pro-life marchers – and writers like me. They talk about the pain abortion inflicts on women. They give faces and names to an issue. I thought of their witness when I read a story from People magazine listing more than 60 celebrities “who have shared their abortion stories to help women feel less alone.” As I scrolled through, I spotted familiar names such as Christina Applegate, Whoopi Goldberg, Britney Spears, Kerry Washington, Gloria Steinem and so many others. National pro-life leaders noticed the story, too. “The propaganda campaign to make the intentional killing of a preborn baby seem normal is impossible to miss,” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America
‘If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it.’ Britney Spears and Students for Life Action, responded in a social media post. “Abortion should never be celebrated. It should be mourned. Let us pray for healing for every woman impacted by abortion, and keep working until abortion is both illegal and unthinkable.”
CELEBRITIES SPEAK OF AGONY
As Hawkins said, the piece seems to frame abortion as something normal. But when I looked into celebrities’ stories – and read their direct quotes – I saw a painful reality poking through. Many of these stars described abortion as something that tore them apart. The piece opens with actress Christina Applegate, who found out she was pregnant in 1991. She sought an abortion after things took a “brutal turn” in an abusive relationship. “I’m … pregnant and I’m killing my child on Thursday,” she wrote in her diary, according to another, linked People story, and wondered where she could go “to recuperate from murder.” She added, “His family will hate me when they find out that I killed their family member because they don’t believe in (abortion). But I can’t have this baby because I have work to do to entertain this … world. Besides, I can’t … now.” The second woman listed, actress Danielle Brooks, discovered she was pregnant while on Accutane to treat her acne. “You actually have to sign something saying that you will have an abortion if you get pregnant,” she said about Accutane on a
podcast, People reported. “I broke down because I realized I wanted to be a mom. … It was really hard, very, very difficult to actually have an abortion. It was not what I wanted.” Further down, Britney Spears obtained an abortion after the father, Justin Timberlake, said they were not ready for a baby. “If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it,” the singer writes in her memoir, People reported. “To this day, it’s one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life.” Yes, some celebrities said they had no regrets. But others described abortion as something they felt like they had to do because of their career or a toxic relationship. Many described it as a terrible choice that continues to haunt them. Their stories hint at the destruction abortion poses not only for the baby but also for the mother. Just as every pregnancy involves two bodies, every abortion involves two bodies, too.
THE CHURCH OFFERS HOPE, HEALING
While the Church condemns abortion, it sees the women harmed by it. This is why Catholic and Christian ministries exist to offer hope and healing to women after abortion, including Silent No More Awareness Campaign, Project Rachel, Rachel’s Vineyard and the Sisters of Life. This is why, in his 1995 encyclical, “Evangelium Vitae,” St. John Paul II addresses women who have had abortions. “The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision,” he begins. “The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope.” He goes on to speak about God’s forgiveness and mercy before encouraging women that, “With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life.” We should never think of abortion as normal, because it ends the life of a baby in the womb. And we should never think of it as normal because it harms women, too. KATIE YODER writes for OSV News from Maryland.
October 2, 2026 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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‘I do think that the concerns raised by many of the experts, specialists in AI, should be taken seriously. I don’t think that that is fake news.’
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09/18/2026
Pope Leo XIV
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catholicnewsherald.com | October 2, 2026 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
DEACON
SHEEN
FROM PAGE 11
FROM PAGE 7
Sheen’s cause of beatification, carrying up the relics. Jillian Tymo from St. Mark, a writer and podcaster of “Rebranding Motherhood,” came to the historic moment for her work with pro-life leader Abby Johnson. Tymo said, “Something said at the beatification that stuck with me was … he was described as both a man at the dinner table and a man of the stage. I thought of the intimacy of that. … I found it to be such an incredible example of aiming at telling the truth in an age of social media and having the time for me to sit and reflect on his legacy.” She found the main relic to be poetic. “The relic they used celebrating him as a communicator was his bottom jawbone. That was so telling,” Tymo said. “That was a very special moment to be able to see. There is a severe poetry that the Church tends to use, the symbols all connect in this incredible way to continue to promote just how this man glorified God.” Tymo brought with her a picture of her infant mother being held by Sheen in the 1950s and left with new memories of the soon-to-be saint who continues to teach lessons from the heavens. “I always had that picture of my mother because it was taken right before her father died. Her life took such a difficult turn, but my grandmother kept the faith in a very tangible way,” Tymo said. “She was so proud of that photo, and I can’t wait to celebrate with her one day.” Expecting her sixth child, which is due around Sheen’s future feast day, she felt that deep connection of faith and motherhood between her and her grandmother during the beatification. As Scibor noted, “Fulton Sheen was on the right path. Whether you’re touching hundreds of thousands of households or you’re just touching the people that come into your daily life, we are all presented with opportunities. What are we going to do to make the people around us shine a little bit brighter?”
serving in his parish as a lector. “My wife, with that holy elbow, would hit me hard in the ribs,” he explained, referring to how she insisted when volunteers were being sought. “Until one day I raised my hand, and I started reading.” At St. Joseph in Asheboro, the future deacon took on new responsibilities: baptism preparation, men’s groups and marriage preparation. Later, Father Finnerty, then director of Hispanic Ministry in the diocese, invited him in September 1998 to become the first coordinator of Hispanic Ministry. In Winston-Salem, he began organizing training sessions, retreats and other events that significantly expanded the ministry. “I was the first one he invited to work,” Deacon Aquino said. “He took it upon himself to train me, and I grew along with him.”
A CALL TO BE A DEACON
PHOTO PROVIDED
St. Matthew parishioners David and Carissa Scibor thought it was important to bring their children to see Blessed Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification as a way to reinforce the beauty of the Catholic faith.
Come join us for
An Evening with Matt Fradd Host of Pints with Aquinas
to benefit the mothers and babies of Room at the Inn.
October 17th, 2026 Sheraton Greensboro
Doors open at 6:00pm Scan the QR code, visit roominn.org, or reach out to our contacts to save your spot! Registration is free but required.
Contacts Katie Schneider: kschneider@roominn.org Tammy Singleton: tsingleton@roominn.org
Registration deadline: Oct 11th, 2026
Where Hope is Born
At Father Finnerty’s invitation, he began discerning a call to be a deacon. He explains that the call was strong, but that it came with great challenges. “He gave me a brochure in English, and it said that it was necessary for me to speak both languages, but Father Vicente told me, ‘Apply,’” he explained. Because his English was very limited, Deacon Aquino faced many difficulties, and his initial application was rejected. But thanks to his daughter’s encouragement, he did not give up. With the help of his family, and after many long hours of studying, he was ordained on Jan. 29, 2011, after four years of studying in English, a language he did not master. “God whispers to the heart of man, and when you lend your ears to God, God tells you where He wants you,” Deacon Aquino said. “The Lord always knew where He wanted me.”