“Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope,” sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will take place June 22-29 to promote the importance of preserving the essential right of religious freedom, for now and the future, for Catholics and for those of all faiths.
The week begins with the Feast of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More, ends with the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, and includes the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
The chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., encourages Catholics to pray and act in support of religious liberty at home and abroad during the week.
The theme for this year, “Strength in Hope,” is taken from the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity: “Among the trials of this life they find strength in hope, convinced that ‘the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us’ (Rom 8:18)” (“Apostolicam actuositatem,” 4).
Daily prayer and reflection resources for each day of Religious Freedom Week are available (in English and Spanish) at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek, and a short video on the theme of religious freedom may be viewed at www.usccb.org/freedom.
— Joseph Purello
BELMONT — Members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta participated in the annual blessing of the residents of Holy Angels June 1.
Father Jeff Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Indian Land, S.C., performed the blessing of the residents of Holy Angels in the residential facility established by the Sisters of Mercy.
Members of the Order of Malta are devoted supporters of Holy Angels, which provides specialized, around-the-clock care for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions.
Holy Angels is an environment that fosters loving and compassionate care and opportunities for dignified living and innovative learning programs for their residents who are differently abled.
For more information on how you can assist them, go online to www.holyangelsnc.org.
— Photos provided by Mercy Sister Nancy Nance
HENDERSONVILLE — Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz, pastor, announced June 1 that the order will be departing Immaculate Conception Parish next month after 28 years of pastoral ministry there. The parish will be served by Diocese of Charlotte clergy effective July 9.
“Over these years we have seen this parish grow in so many ways – physically and spiritually. St. Francis called us friars to be pilgrims and strangers in this world. We came here 28 years ago as pilgrims and strangers and now it is time for us to continue that journey elsewhere,” Father Schratz wrote in a newsletter to parishioners.
The order is withdrawing from other parishes in the province, he noted, as a result of declining vocations and the advancing ages of its friars.
Immaculate Conception is the only remaining parish served by the Capuchin Franciscans in the Charlotte diocese. Seven years ago, the friars also withdrew from pastoral ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas and Our Lady of Consolation parishes in Charlotte.
Father Schratz asked for everyone’s prayers during this time of transition.
— Catholic News Herald
CHARLOTTE — Two cities in the Diocese of Charlotte will host “Tolton: From Slave to Priest,” a powerful one-man multimedia play depicting the life of Father Augustus Tolton, the first African American priest, who lived from 1854 to 1897.
In Charlotte, the play will run Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, at The Great Aunt Stella Center, located at 926 Elizabeth Ave. There will be three performances: June 7 at 7:30 p.m.; June 8 at 3 p.m.; and June 8 at 7:30 p.m.
In Greensboro, the play will be performed Monday-Tuesday, June 10-11, at St. Mary’s Church, located at 812 Duke St. Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. both evenings.
“Tolton: From Slave to Priest” features a full cast of characters on a video screen who interact with actor Jim Coleman live on stage. This unique format is visually engaging while also retaining the personal effect of a live performance. Audiences leave the show feeling that they have “met” Father Tolton.
The production is enhanced by an original soundtrack based on traditional African American spirituals, orchestrated by composer Tony Manfredonia.
Father Tolton’s life was one of hidden holiness. His cause for canonization was presented in February 2011 by the late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago to the Vatican and is moving forward quickly.
“Father Tolton’s story needs to be told,” says Coleman. “As a black man, this very important part of history is something that I want the world to hear about. I truly feel blessed to be the one to share Father Augustus Tolton with all who will listen!”
Tickets will be sold at the door before each performance at The Great Aunt Stella Center in Charlotte and at St. Mary’s Church in Greensboro. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 18 and under. Cash or check only.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter; St. Luke Productions contributed.
Don’t miss this performance
For more information about “Tolton: From Slave to Priest,” go to www.stlukeproductions.com/events/tolton. Questions? Contact Rosheene Adams in the diocesan African American Affairs Ministry office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
‘Give witness to Christ’
CHARLOTTE — “Axios! Axios!”
Chanting these ancient Greek words, hundreds of people gathered inside St. Thomas Aquinas Church June 16 acclaimed three men worthy of holy orders during a special ordination Mass for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat, whose territory includes North Carolina.
Kevin Bezner was ordained a priest, and Basilius Magnus and David Rinehart were ordained deacons by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo, who leads the Parma, Ohio-based eparchy or diocese.
The Mass, or Divine Liturgy, was the first Eastern Catholic rite priest ordination to take place in western North Carolina, and only the second deacon ordination.
The congregation included members of St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church in Charlotte, which has grown steadily since its founding in 2006 and now occupies a dedicated space at St. Thomas Aquinas Church to accommodate its rising number of families.
Bishop Bohdan acknowledged the community’s growth in remarks at the end of Mass.
“It is a joy for us here in the community of St. Basil the Great,” he said.
Reflecting on Christ’s Ascension, which he called “one of the most beautiful scenes” in the Bible, Bishop Bohdan said Christ calls each of us today to go out and proclaim the Gospel just as He commissioned the Apostles.
“The same mission is given to us – to preach the Good News of Christ, to bring people closer to Him,” he said.
The newly-ordained Father Kevin and Deacons Basilius and David are fruits “brought forth from among you, the living community,” Bishop Bohdan noted, not dropped magically from out of nowhere.
Follow their example and the example of the saints and martyrs, he urged, in giving one’s life totally to Christ.
“Give witness to Christ,” he urged.
The Pontifical Mass drew clergy from around the region, including Atlanta and from St. Nicholas Mission in Cary, as well as from the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh.
Priests and deacons from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte who have supported St. Basil the Great Church and its new mission in Canton were also present for the celebration.
Former Canton resident Mike Hoey, who has known Father Kevin for years, credited his efforts to develop the Eastern Catholic mission for people living in the Asheville area. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated about once a month in Canton, hosted at the Charlotte diocese’s Immaculate Conception Mission.
“I marvel at his dedication and how his spirituality has grown,” Hoey said before receiving a blessing from the new priest.
Father Kevin Bezner
Kevin Bezner was born in Bainbridge, Md., in 1953. From elementary to high school, he attended Catholic schools in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Roger Williams in 1975, master’s degrees from the University of Maryland in 1976 (American Studies) and 1989 (English), and a doctorate in English and Creative Writing from Ohio University in 1991. He has worked as a daily newspaper reporter, college professor, and communications manager, writer and editor in banking.
He earned a certificate in spiritual direction from the Center for Spirituality and Ministry at Sacred Heart University, an advanced catechist certificate from Catholic Distance University, and a certificate in lay ministry from the Diocese of Charlotte in 2012.
He completed the eparchy’s Diaconate Formation Program and was ordained a deacon in 2014. That same year, he also completed a master’s in theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. In preparation for ordination to the priesthood, in May he completed the Ongoing Formation program at Byzantine Catholic Seminary.
Deacon Basilius Magnus
Many have asked whether “Basilius Magnus” is his real name or a “pseudonym,” and if it is inspired by “St. Basil the Great.” The answer to both questions is yes, he says. “My parents gave me that name when I was born, and I got to know the reason on my eighth birthday when my dad sent me a birthday gift of a book titled ‘Friends of Jesus’ with the icon of St. Basil the Great on its cover. One statement that I succinctly remember from that book is: ‘The Cathedral where St. Basil celebrated the liturgy was always packed with faithful waiting to hear his homily.’ I knew that my parents prayed and wished me to inherit St. Basil’s spirit and charisma.”
He studied the organ in elementary school and played from middle school through college. He also contributed in theological discourses in ecumenical forums (of mostly pastors, theologians and seminary professors) such as Partners in Ministry and Indonesian Pastors Network. After moving to the United States, he became immersed in the Eastern Catholic tradition, especially its emphasis on mysticism, contemplation and a meditative prayer life.
At St. Nicholas Mission in Cary, where he has been assigned, he served as an altar server and reader before completing the eparchy’s Diaconate Formation Program at Holy Apostles Institute.
He and his wife Nora have three children, Fidelia, Vitus and Andrea.
Deacon David Rinehart
David Rinehart is a native of Tennessee. His father’s job took the family to Washington, D.C., where they became members of St. Gabriel Parish. Their neighborhood included the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army “and made a career of it serving in numerous assignments worldwide.”
A lifelong learner, he earned bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and management from Excelsior University of New York and associate’s degrees in criminal justice and general education from Central Texas College.
A member of St. Nicholas Mission, he served in many positions including altar server before graduating from the eparchy’s Diaconate Formation Program at Holy Apostles Institute, where he now serves as administrator.
A resident of Fayetteville, he survives his wife Fabiola and has two sons, David and Francis.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
