CHARLOTTE — The battle between good and evil rages on – not on the streets, but within the human heart.
That was the message given during the Diocese of Charlotte's first "Blue Mass," a liturgy held in honor of law enforcement and public safety personnel Sept. 29 at St. Patrick Cathedral.
The Mass had been planned several weeks before a fatal police shooting Sept. 20 triggered a week of protests in Charlotte that left two African-American men dead, several police officers injured, and residents shocked by the violence. The cathedral was filled with people who had come out to pray and express thanks to local first responders, during a liturgy offered on the Feast of the Archangels.
"We see a parallel between your work and theirs," said homilist Father Patrick Winslow. "We see the work you do as sharing in their angelic mission as protector, healer and aid to those in need."
His parish, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, sits just a few blocks away from where Keith Lamont Scott, a 43-year-old African-American man, was shot and killed by police Sept. 20 in an apartment complex parking lot. Protests erupted there on Sept. 20, and on Sept. 21 Father Winslow led one of the city's first prayer services for reconciliation and justice.
"The archangels – Gabriel, Raphael, Michael – are known in Scripture for coming to the aid of those in need. In the case of Gabriel and Raphael, to provide healing from sickness and mercy, like EMS responders and fire fighters. Michael is known as one who confronts the forces of darkness, one might say like our policemen and women who seek to protect and defend."
Pictured at top: Bishop Peter Jugis leads the procession into St. Patrick Cathedral for the diocese's first Blue Mass Sept. 29. A color guard from the Charlotte Fire Department flanks the cathedral's entrance. (Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Catholic News Herald)
Father Winslow also reflected on the first reading of the Mass, Revelation 12:7-12ab, which describes St. Michael casting Satan out of heaven.
"Throughout Christian history this apocalyptic text has been interpreted not merely as some future or past event, but as also describing the current, ongoing, unfolding battle between the forces of good and evil," he said. "It has been something that has been taking place since the beginning and even now in this present age, throughout the world, in the U.S., in Charlotte."
"Unlike conventional battles, which have … clearly delineated front lines, the war between the forces of light and darkness know no such borders. Rather, darkness is more pervasive and sinister. It's a battle not between nations, not between peoples. The battle of dark and light is not between races. Rather, it is a battle that takes place within each human heart, within each one of us."
This insidious darkness attempts to attack all of us, including priests and police, he said.
"Fighting the darkness in the human heart is the real battle. It seeks to strike at our hearts and, by so doing, tear down the fabric of our societies and our communities."
However, Revelation also describes the battle's outcome, Father Winslow said. "We are assured that God is victorious. The light will always conquer the darkness that threatens us. God always wins!"
"It's in this context that the officer patrols each day," he continued. "It's in this context which the first responder sets a pace to help those of us in need. We need men and women like you who tirelessly bring this light of aid and service to the world – to help our brothers and sisters, to help us, especially in our moments of need and defenselessness."
In this complicated and difficult world, "it is not always easy to make wise and prudent decisions," Father Winslow also acknowledged. "So we pray that you're able to do so in a split moment, at a time when it's needed, for people depending on you."
"May God bless you, your families and the people you serve."
First offered in 1934 in Washington, D.C., the Blue Mass provides spiritual support for those on the front lines of public safety and derives its name from the uniform color of police officers and firefighters. The Blue Mass is now offered in hundreds of parishes and dioceses annually throughout the U.S.
Bishop Jugis blesses a fire truck before the start of the Blue Mass Sept. 29.Before the Mass, Bishop Peter Jugis blessed fire trucks, patrol cars and ambulances, sprinkling them with holy water as they drove past the cathedral, lights flashing.
About two dozen police, fire and EMS personnel, both Catholic and non-Catholic, attended the Mass.
Davon Hood, who has served with the Charlotte Fire Department for one year, said he was grateful for the prayers from the local Catholic community.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael also said he was thankful for everyone's prayers, adding that he appreciated people taking the time to come and show their support for local law enforcement.
Members and adult leaders of Scout Pack and Troop 9 from St. Patrick Cathedral attended the Mass, as well as (from left) Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael, Deputy Chief Pete Key of the Charlotte Fire Department, and Lt. Tom Barry of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.About two dozen of the cathedral's Scouts also participated in the Mass. The members and adult leaders of Cub Scout Pack 9 and Boy Scout Troop 9 lined the sidewalk in front of the cathedral as Bishop Jugis led the prayers of blessing.
Andrew Phares, an Arrow of Light Webelos in Pack 9, said he enjoyed being a part of the cathedral's first Blue Mass.
Isaac Hughes, a Bear Cub Scout, also said he was excited to attend the Mass.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
MONROE — Deacon W. David Powers has been assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe by Bishop Peter Jugis, effective Sept. 13. Deacon Powers and his wife recently relocated to the Waxhaw area from the Diocese of Arlington, Va. He was ordained Jan. 15, 2011.
— Deacon Ron Steinkamp
CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis announces the following appointments within the Permanent Diaconate:
• Deacon Marcos Mejias has been appointed regional coordinator of the Permanent Deacons of the Triad Region effective Oct. 17 while continuing his ministry at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.
• Deacon C. William Schreiber has been appointed regional coordinator of the Permanent Deacons of the Hickory Region effective Oct. 17 while continuing his ministry at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory.
• Deacon John A. Martino has been appointed director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Charlotte for a five-year term effective Oct. 17 while continuing to serve at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton.
• Deacon Ronald F. Steinkamp’s tenure as director of the Permanent Diaconate will end on Oct. 17.
• Deacon Andrew J. Cilone of Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City will retire effective Oct. 17, although he retains his faculties to minister. Also concluded is his tenure as regional coordinator of the Permanent Deacons of the Hickory Region.
• Deacon Vincent H. Shaw of St. Mary Church in Greensboro will also retire effective Oct. 17, although he retains his faculties to minister. Also concluded is his tenure as regional coordinator of the Permanent Deacons of the Triad Region.
— Catholic News Herald
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two women and seven men from the Charlotte diocese will become members of the Catholic lay religious Order of Malta Oct. 15 at St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington and principal chaplain of the order’s Federal Association, will celebrate the investiture Mass.
Geraldine McComb, Debora Ritzel, Stephen Dahlstedt, Claude Martin and Richard Valitutto of Greensboro; Paul Herndon and Richard Rotondi of Charlotte; Jason Gyure of Summerfield; and David Parker of Winston-Salem have completed more than a year of formation exercises including prayer, religious retreat, education about the traditions of the order, and practice of the works of mercy. They will be among 47 men and women from across the United States to become the newest members of a religious community founded more than 900 years ago.
In the year 1099 in Jerusalem, Gerard, a European lay brother, founded the order and enlisted other lay brothers as an outgrowth of his service directing the Hospital of St. John. Notwithstanding the conflicts of the Crusades, this Catholic hospital provided care without discrimination to Muslims and Jews as well as Christians. Later beatified by the Church, Blessed Gerard made it a rule that he and his confreres should call the patients and guests “our lords, the sick and the poor.”
Religious and political conflict over the centuries caused the brothers, often called the Hospitallers, to move from Jerusalem first to the island of Rhodes and later to that of Malta – hence the order’s best known contemporary name.
Today the order’s vocation remains centered on acts of mercy for the sick and the poor, as well as defense of the Catholic faith. During the past half-century, the order has undergone major renewal and expansion, particularly in the Western hemisphere. With a worldwide membership of 13,500, the order provides humanitarian and medical assistance in 120 countries. The Federal Association, with more than 1,000 members in 28 regions of the U.S., is one of 47 national associations of the global Order of Malta.
The great majority of members are lay men and women, most of whom are married. They carry out their vocation in the order while continuing their secular careers. A few members of the order in the United States and around the world follow the ancient calling of taking solemn vows as celibate religious brothers.
Members of the order perform corporal works of mercy in facilities including nursing homes, clinics and food distribution centers. The order’s members also donate and raise funds to operate hospitals and clinics in needy communities around the world, including the order’s Holy Family Maternity Hospital in Bethlehem. This facility serves Palestinian women and babies, most of them Muslims, just steps away from the sanctuary of the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Every year in May, thousands of members of the order from around the world congregate in France at the Marian shrine of Lourdes. For a week of meditation and liturgical celebration, they escort people with serious illnesses whose travel and accommodations are sponsored by the order.
“The annual Lourdes pilgrimage is a powerful experience,” said Margaret Melady, president of the order’s Federal Association, U.S.A. “It always provides spiritual renewal – and sometimes, also physical healing – through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
“This extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy,” Melady added, “is an occasion of joy and deepening commitment for both new and veteran members of the Order of Malta. We welcome the prayers and support of Americans as we continue to grow our membership and activities at home and throughout the world.”
Learn more about the Order of Malta in the diocese at www.orderofmalta-federal.org and worldwide at www.orderofmalta.int.
Joseph Duggan, Special to the Catholic News HeralD. Joseph Duggan serves with the Order of Malta, Federal Association, in Washington, D.C.
SYLVA — Youths at St. Mary, Mother of God Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during an Aug. 2 Mass. The newly confirmed young people are pictured with the bishop, pastor Father Joshua Voitus, Father George Byers of Andrews, and members of the local Knights of Columbus.
— Della Sue Bryson | Catholic News Herald
JEFFERSON — Four youths from St. Frances of Rome Mission in Sparta joined five youths from St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson in receiving the sacrament of confirmation during a bilingual Mass Sept. 3 offered by Bishop Peter Jugis. Noel Carranza, Maricio Lopez, Maria Reyes and Zuemy Reyes from Sparta and Jorge Ledezma, Morgan Liszka, Christian Luna, Cecilia Mendoza and Janie Solis from Jefferson are pictured with Bishop Jugis, their pastor Father James Stuhrenberg, Deacon Lee Levenson, and their catechism teachers.
—Patrick Hession | Catholic News Herald
HENDERSONVILLE — Fifty-seven young people at Immaculate Conception Church received the sacrament of confirmation during a Mass celebrated by 
Bishop Peter Jugis.
— Paul V. Wojcik | Catholic News Herald
BREVARD — Five people were recently confirmed at Sacred Heart Church in Brevard by Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass Sept. 28: Elise Poche, Gaby Buenrostro, Jolene Osteen, Hector Bautista-Don and Lauren Conforti.
— Dorice Narins | Catholic News Herald