CHARLOTTE — Faithful around the Diocese of Charlotte celebrated the Feast of the Purification with Masses on Feb. 2, commemorating the purification of the Blessed Mother.
Although not required due to her sinless nature, the ceremony, required under Mosaic law, prescribed a woman wait 40 days after childbirth before returning to the Temple.
The feast day is also known as the Feast of Candles or Candlemas, which celebrates the words of the Temple priest Simeon, who in the Gospel of Luke, prophesized that Christ is a light of revelation for the Gentiles and the glory of the people of Israel.
The Church traditionally commemorates Simeon’s words with the blessing of candles on this day. Father Brian Becker, parochial vicar at St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, continued this tradition with a traditional Latin blessing of candles after the 12:30 p.m. Latin Mass.
That same evening, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, Father Christopher Bond, parochial vicar at St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte, and assisted by St. Matthew Deacon Gary Schreiber, blessed candles before the 8 p.m. First Friday Mass which attracted more than 60 faithful.
The Mass, which began with a candlelight procession, was part of the Vigil of the Two Hearts monthly devotion organized by C-PLAN (Catholic Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte) to offer penance for the sins of abortion, strengthening of families and praying for the conversion of the nation.
For more information about the Vigil of the Two Hearts visit www.prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent
CANDLEMAS IN MOCKSVILLE
MOCKSVILLE — Parishioners from St Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville gathered for the Blessing of Candles, Procession and Mass by candlelight on Candlemas Day Feb. 2.
Holy Mass was offered by the pastor, Father Eric Kowalski.
After Mass, parishioners continued the festivities with food and fellowship in the parish hall.
— Photos provided by St. Francis of Assisi parish
CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Respect Life Program announces the winner of its annual Respect Life Essay Contest is Lewis Nazarian, an 11th-grader at Charlotte Catholic High School.
The essay prompt given to high school students from around the diocese was: “How in today’s society are we best able to say ‘Yes’ to life and ‘No’ to death?”
Jessica Grabowski, Catholic Charities Respect Life Program Director, was able to present the award to Nazarian after Mass at Charlotte Catholic High School last week.
“Thank you to Principal Kurt Telford, Father Jason Barone and all the staff at Charlotte Catholic High School for supporting this event and planning the special award presentation,” Grabowski said. “In addition, a special thank you to Saint Benedict Press/Tan Books for sponsoring gifts for the finalists this year.”
Look for more information later this summer for next year’s Respect Life Essay Contest and visit www.cccdoc.org/respectlife for news and announcements from Catholic Charities’ Respect Life Program.
Say Yes
Being pro-life is more than just a label. It is more than just going to the occasional pro-life conference. It is more than just attending a march. Being pro-life is about living pro-life. But what exactly does living pro-life entail? I can tell you for certain it is not throwing a Twitter post online proclaiming that you love babies. It is not walking around school proclaiming that “I am pro-life and a good Christian because I am attending the March for Life.” No, living pro-life cannot be achieved with just words. St. Francis of Assisi has been quoted telling us to “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” While the validity of this quotation’s attribution is debated, the message holds true. In order to truly evangelize, you must act instead of just speak.
A friend of mine did something that truly exemplifies this evangelization in modern society. On a Saturday, she went out to a Planned Parenthood, put in her earbuds, and sang and danced in front of the abortion clinic. Not once did she speak to or even make eye contact with the people walking in and out. But, in her innocent act of dancing and singing, she reminded these pregnant women of what life truly is. She told me that throughout the day, of the 20 to 30 people who walked up the path, around 10 of them turned around. Because of her seemingly small act of evangelization, 10 lives were saved that day.
My friend Mariah helped me to realize that in today’s society, you need to get your face out of your phone in order to say yes to life. You need to get out into the world, showing people that your life is worth living.
Those who believe that abortion, the death penalty, and euthanasia are acceptable are not likely to listen to you in a verbal argument or debate. Instead, to say no to death and to help them say no, show your love for life and show the importance of life throughout your day. Be a caring person and go out and show your love for your classmates, coworkers and strangers on the street. Say thank you to anyone and everyone who helps you in any way. Show your respect for their work and their life. If you want to say yes to life and no to death, don’t just say it, show it.