GREENSBORO — St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro held a parish-wide retreat in January led by well-known theologian, author and speaker Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio (known on TV and radio as “Dr. Italy”).
The two-day event began Friday evening with a covered dish dinner, followed by D’Ambrosio’s keynote address, “How To Get More Out of Mass.” He challenged his audience to think about how Jesus is really present in the Eucharist and he offered real world, practical ways to “unlock the power of His presence so as to make each Mass a life-changing experience.”
Saturday began with a pancake breakfast hosted by the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 13236. The day’s discussions were divided into adult sessions given by D’Ambrosio, and teen sessions given by D’Ambrosio’s twin sons, Anthony and Marcellino. Both young men are youth ministers, worship musicians and evangelizers. Grade school sessions, taught by parish staff, were also available.
Pictured: Anthony and Marcellino D’Ambrosio perform with members of St. Paul Church’s Youth Choir during the concluding Mass at a two-day retreat designed for the whole family. (Annette K. Tenny | Catholic News Herald)
D’Ambrosio started off by discussing “The Family as Domestic Church.” While this is a familiar theme to many Catholics, D’Ambrosio deepened the discussion with stories of the ups and downs of his own Catholic upbringing. As a father of five, he was also able to relate his and his wife’s experiences in the trials and joys of creating their own domestic church.
While parents and grandparents were getting tips on how to build their family church, the teens were listening to the D’Ambrosio twins share their faith challenges. Titled “Let Me Live: The Story of How God Walked Into My Grave and Called Me Up Into His Resurrection,” the young men spoke passionately about their personal conversions and the need to be open to the call of Holy Spirit. Developing a close relationship with Jesus Christ, they said, requires not just one act but countless actions each day. Life in Christ, they told their young audience is anything but passive.
In another session, D’Ambrosio encouraged parents and grandparents to keep lines of communication open and to talk to their kids about many subjects, not just religion.
It’s imperative to restore the “centrality of the table,” he said. Family relationships harden, he told them without frequent communication. Bring back the family dinner, at least one night a week. Make sure everyone contributes to the conversation, no matter the subject. Nourish yourself with scripture and sacraments and you will be able to nourish your family when the opportunity presents itself. Above all, he reminded the attendees, remain humble and have a sense of humor.
“Pray for your family, pray for what they need,” he said, “not for what you want.”
D’Ambrosio said he hoped retreat participants would walk away with two things: excitement and inspiration that there is “more than what they’ve experienced so far in their Catholic life,” and “…one practical suggestion where they can change the pattern of their life.” Whether it’s the way they pray, the way they approach the Eucharist or confession, he said he hoped they left with a practical way to change the way they live their faith.
In other programs during the retreat, Anthony and Marcellino D’Ambrosio and the parish’s youth ministry encouraged teens to see the saints through a new lens, as well as to see how God is already working in their lives.
The retreat at St. Paul Parish was a pleasure, D’Ambrosio said, as he and his sons don’t often travel and minister together. The parish asked specifically for all of them.
“The twins’ ministry has evolved into parish consultation, writing and producing film and digital evangelization content,” he noted.
They also have a music worship ministry and with a younger brother and other band members, travel to conferences.
D’Ambrosio’s ministry is evolving as well. After many years of parish, radio and television evangelization, he’s feeling called to write more but also to produce podcasts and short video teaching, on You Tube, for example.
“I’m looking forward to working with the twins on new projects and new ways of evangelizing,” he said.
— Annette K. Tenny, correspondent
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
