SWANNANOA — A small but fervent group of pro-life activists braved frigid temperatures and a late winter snow storm to attend a regional Respect Life Mass March 12 at St. Margaret Mary Church.
Mass was offered by the pastor, Father Brian Becker, who preached on the importance of sharing the Gospel with abortion minded women.
After Mass, the group traveled to the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Asheville for prayers.
Amid snow showers, icy roads, and blustery winds, the group prayed the rosary for an end to abortion and conversion of abortion-minded women.
The event was organized by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) of Western NC.
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent
Bishop Peter Jugis reverences the altar at the start of a White Mass for healthcare professionals April 2 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. Concelebrating clergy included sponsors and speakers at the conference, “Sexuality and Fertility in Medicine.” Shown in the foreground is the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary pilgrim statue of Mary, Mother of God, which was present for the conference. (Patricia Guilfoyle, Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — Healthcare professionals received a special blessing from Bishop Peter Jugis during a White Mass April 2, offered before the start of a Catholic healthcare conference at St. Patrick Cathedral.
The White Mass, which takes its name from the white coat commonly worn by physicians, was attended by more than a hundred people.
They bowed their heads as the bishop prayed: “Almighty God, whose beloved Son Jesus Christ went about healing all manner of illness and disease: continue, we beseech you, His gracious work among us. Grant to those here present and to all physicians, nurses and all healthcare professionals wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience; keep them safe and preserve them from all contagion. Cheer, heal and sanctify the sick, and send down your blessing on all who care for them.”
In his homily for the special Mass, the bishop welcomed the conference goers and reflected on the day’s Gospel from John 7:40-53, recounting how some people questioned and expressed confusion about Jesus’ identity.
“Thanks to the gift of faith, we know Jesus,” the bishop said. “He is the Son of God who came to teach us, to save us, and bring us eternal life.”
That certain faith informs Church teaching on healthcare issues, he continued.
“The teachings of Christ inform the teachings of the Church on healthcare issues… Respect for the dignity of the human person, created in the image of God and redeemed by the passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus. In healthcare issues the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit of Truth, and because of that the
Church has tremendous wisdom to share with the world ¬– a wisdom born of our faith in Christ.”
Pictured are sponsors and speakers from the Converging Roads healthcare conference in Charlotte. Nearly 100 people attended the conference, and organizers are already planning next year’s conference for March 25, 2023. (Photo provided by Jessica Grabowski)The White Mass was offered in conjunction with the Converging Roads healthcare ethics conference, “Sexuality and Fertility in Medicine,” sponsored by the diocese, Belmont Abbey College and the St. John Paul II Foundation.
It was concelebrated by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey; Father Peter Ascik, director of the Diocese of Charlotte’s Family Life Office; Father Cory Catron, chaplain for Catholic Health Care Professionals of Charlotte and pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson; and conference speakers Father Philip Bochanski, executive director of Courage International Inc., and Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly.
“It has been wonderful seeing this Converging Roads Conference grow over the past five years, and now with the establishment of the group Catholic Health Professionals at the end of 2019, we continue to see the desire and need for conferences such as these,” said Jessica Grabowski of the diocese’s Family Life Office.
She said the Family Life Office, in partnership with Belmont Abbey, Catholic Health Professionals and the St. John Paul II Foundation, is already planning for next year’s Converging Roads conference, scheduled for March 25, 2023.
— Catholic News Herald