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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
Thirty-nine children at St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill received their First Holy Communion during two Masses celebrated May 14 by Father Paul Gary, pastor. (Photos provided by Kathy McKinney)
Thirty-nine children at St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill received their First Holy Communion during two Masses celebrated May 14 by Father Paul Gary, pastor. (Photos provided by Kathy McKinney)
Thirty-nine children at St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill received their First Holy Communion during two Masses celebrated May 14 by Father Paul Gary, pastor. (Photos provided by Kathy McKinney)
Thirty-nine children at St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill received their First Holy Communion during two Masses celebrated May 14 by Father Paul Gary, pastor. (Photos provided by Kathy McKinney)
Children at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone received their First Holy Communion May 14. They are pictured with their pastor, Father Brendan Buckler.(Amber Mellon | Catholic News Herald)
Children at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone received their First Holy Communion May 14. They are pictured with their pastor, Father Brendan Buckler.(Amber Mellon | Catholic News Herald)
Children at Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission in Hayesville received their First Holy Communion during Mass May 15 offered by Father Alex Ayala, pastor. (Photo provided by Ruth Charlesworth and Craig Allen)
Children at Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission in Hayesville received their First Holy Communion during Mass May 15 offered by Father Alex Ayala, pastor. (Photo provided by Ruth Charlesworth and Craig Allen)
Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor, celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville. Immediately after Mass the 14 recipients participated in the crowning of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ceremony
Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor, celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville. Immediately after Mass the 14 recipients participated in the crowning of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ceremony
Children at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville received their First Holy Communion May 14. They are pictured with Father Paul McNulty, pastor.(Photo provided by Nicki Conroy)
Children at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville received their First Holy Communion May 14. They are pictured with Father Paul McNulty, pastor.(Photo provided by Nicki Conroy)
Young people at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville received the sacrament of confirmation May 11 during a Mass offered by Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey and Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor. (Photo provided by Connie Ries)
Young people at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville received the sacrament of confirmation May 11 during a Mass offered by Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey and Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor. (Photo provided by Connie Ries)

JugisMugCNH: How could God allow these senseless shootings to happen, especially to innocent children?

Bishop Jugis: God wills only good in the world; and one of the greatest goods He has given us is the gift of freedom. People can use this freedom to do good or do evil. When horrific acts occur like what we’ve witnessed in Texas, it is contrary to God’s will. It is an act of evil. When God became man in the person of Christ, He entered into our world beset with abuses of freedom, evil and injustice. As seen on the cross, He is not a God indifferent to our suffering. He enters into our pain, our weakness and the ravages of sin. On the cross, in this great act of love, He shows us the way out of darkness and pain – lighting up for us the path of salvation, promising the righting of all wrongs, peace, and eternal life where there is no more possibility of sin and evil. Our Lord says to us, “I came so that (you) might have life and have it more abundantly.”

 

CNH: What words of comfort have you given people who have experienced such profound grief?

Bishop Jugis: The pain of loss is difficult in any circumstance. When it is an act of malice against innocent children, it is especially heartbreaking. In the face of such tragedy, there are only two things that can bring some measure of peace: our faith in God and the love we share with one another. Let us turn to both.

And let us pray for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and firmness of purpose to bring an end to such violence.

 

CNH: How should we respond as Christians to the increasing violence we are seeing happen around us?

Bishop Jugis: Peace begins in the heart. Our first responsibility is to make sure we never surrender this peace and allow darkness, isolation and discord to overcome us and, in turn, to those around us. Secondly, we can be more attentive and loving to our family members, friends and neighbors.

We must pray for God to give us the courage and charity needed to reach out and help those around us who may be succumbing to despair, who may be on the verge of breakdown – for their sake and the sake of others.

— Catholic News Herald