Photo provided by Global Catholic Climate Movement and Sister Julie Marie Peters, SSMLaudato Si’ Week is being held May 16-25 in celebration of the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical written for all people on the planet: “Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home.”
His opening words, “Laudato Si,” which quote from St. Francis of Assisi’s beautiful canticle, remind us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.
The global celebration is sponsored by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and supported by the Global Catholic Climate Movement in collaboration with about 150 Catholic organizations.
To mark this year’s anniversary, the Global Catholic Climate Movement is offering a series of workshops, trainings and events that anyone can join, including a live-streamed concert and cultural festival on World Biodiversity Day, May 22.
This year celebrates the progress the Church has made in its ecological conversion journey over the past six years and offers a road map for the decade ahead.
This year’s commemoration will also be a time to reflect on what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us and prepare for the future with hope.
More online:
At www.laudatosiweek.org: Learn more and get involved
CHARLOTTE — Matt Ferrante has been hired as the new chief financial officer and chief administrative officer for the Diocese of Charlotte effective July 1. Ferrante succeeds Bill Weldon, who is retiring after 28 years of service to the diocese.
Ferrante has 17 years of experience in corporate finance, including seven years on finance councils for the diocese and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte. He has an extensive background in budgeting and forecasting and has worked in financial planning and analysis and investor relations for companies including Lowe’s and Shutterfly, most recently serving as senior finance manager for DaVita, an international provider of dialysis services. In that role, he facilitated the financial operations of more than 100 dialysis clinics across North Carolina.
He holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a bachelor’s degree in business from Belmont Abbey College. At the Abbey he served as student government president, was named Student of the Year – and most importantly, met his wife Jessica. The couple has nine children ranging from 15 to 1 month old.
“Our Catholic faith is the foundation and focus for our family, so to be able to align that with my career is a valued opportunity,” Ferrante said. “At the heart of my approach to financial work is relationships, and having served on a parish finance council, I can say the needs and struggles of our parishes will be a priority for me, along with my firm commitment to continued financial transparency.”
Under Church law, the bishop must appoint a finance officer who is “truly expert in financial affairs and absolutely distinguished for honesty,” after having heard from the College of Consultors and the diocesan Finance Council. That was completed May 14.
Ferrante’s role as chief administrative officer including overseeing the diocese’s controller and directors of Technology Services, Planning, Properties and Risk Management, the Catholic Conference Center and Living Waters Retreat Center.
Weldon will continue working with the diocese over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.
“I am grateful to Bill for his deft management and years of dedicated service,” said Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. “He is nationally regarded for his financial acumen and commitment to transparency, and he has won numerous financial awards. We are in his debt and grateful for his keen eye and good humor. He has strengthened the financial health of the diocese, and he’ll be a great help in our transition as he and the diocese prepare for a new chapter.”
— Catholic News Herald
BrinkleySALISBURY — A former student is returning to serve as principal of Sacred Heart School in Salisbury starting June 19.
Erin Brinkley, a 1996 graduate of Sacred Heart School, is a veteran teacher and administrator with over 17 years of experience in the field of education. She is currently in her fifth year with Sacred Heart School, where she’s held faculty positions in kindergarten, third grade, fifth grade and as dean of students.
“My leadership philosophy centers around collaboration, coaching, and clearly communicating with those around me to create an environment that will be transformational,” Brinkley said. “I recognize that transformation is created through example, recognizing the power of team through we statements, and understanding that our strength comes from Christ, who provides us with unconditional love.”
A member of Sacred Heart Church, Brinkley holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University.
Brinkley previously worked for Kannapolis City Schools for 10 years and served as faith formation director for Sacred Heart Parish.
“After our discernment of candidates from near and far, the search committee came to the unanimous decision that Mrs. Brinkley will be the perfect fit for our beloved school,” said Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church and School. “From her faithful participation in the Church, her academic accomplishments and credentials, her dynamic and engaging way of interacting with students, families and staff, and her energetic devotion to our parish, it was clear that we have an incredible candidate right here within our community.”
Besides her faculty responsibilities, Brinkley has served on the school’s leadership team where she facilitated schoolwide initiatives such as the dedicated STEM MakerSpace, “Cranium Cove,” and project-based learning opportunities in the school’s sensory garden and outdoor learning space.
She was instrumental in integrating extra enrichment time into the middle school schedule through an innovative Flex Time program that allowed students to discover a passion in unique classes.
“It was evident in the search process that Brinkley’s commitment to her faith and to the mission of Sacred Heart makes her the right leader to take the school to the next level,” said Dr. Gregory Monroe, superintendent of the diocese’s Catholic schools. “She has demonstrated her love for the mission and ideals of Sacred heart as a student, as a teacher leader, and now as the incoming principal. Her enthusiasm and creativity is apparent in the many projects she has helped implement or oversee during her tenure at the school. I have no doubt that Sacred Heart will continue to flourish under her leadership. She is a great addition to the educational leaders across our 19 schools.”
Brinkley and her husband Damon have three children, all whom attend Sacred Heart.
“I am overjoyed and humbled to serve in this role as the leader of Sacred Heart. Mr. Tyler Kulp and I have already started working together to ensure a smooth transition for our school community. Sacred Heart is not just a school, but my home and my passion,” Brinkley said.
— Catholic News Herald