Around the DioceseNovember 24, 2014
Connect with the Diocese!
Look for photos, videos and stories of your favorite ministries, parishes and schools on ourDiocesan Facebook page!
You are invited to follow the Diocese@RaleighDioceseand BishopBurbidge@BishopBurbidgeon Twitter. Tweets include current news stories, photos and BishopBurbidge’sdaily reflections. If you are not on Twitter, you can still receive the Bishop’s messages by simply texting followbishopburbidgeto phone number: 40404.
Diocese launches new video series, "Raleigh to Rome" - a weekly Catholic news briefof local and global Catholic news hosted by Billy Atwell, Director of Communications.Watch and subscribe to the Raleigh to Rome You Tube channel.
90Th AnniversaryDidYou Know?The first Catholic Church in Farmville, NC, was a railroad car. The St. Peter, built in 1912 for the Catholic Church Extension Society, brought Mass to missions across the country until the 1930s. In the 20s, it was manned by the legendary Father Egbert Albert, C.P. The train car wasgiven to the Diocese of Raleigh in 1938. The Most Reverend Eugene J. McGuinnes used the chapel car in Wake Forest. The Chapel moved from there to in Camp Butner in 1942 and then moved to Oxford. In 1953 it was sold and the proceeds were used to purchase land for a new church in Oxford.
The Annual Homeschool Mass with Bishop Michael Burbidge, will take place on December 5th, 2014 at St. Mary Mother of the Church in Garner, North Carolina. Mass will start at 10:30a.m. and a reception will follow in the church hall until 1pm. All homeschoolers and their families of the Diocese are invited to attend. Visit this web address for registration links and contact information:
Blessing of the Child in the Womb
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge will bless the children in the womb at the 10:45 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine of Siena parish in Wake Forest on December 21, 2014.
The Office of Human Life and Dignity and the Office of Divine Worship are encouraging participation in this ceremony, recently released from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to encourage parish prayers for -- and recognition of -- the precious gift of the child in the womb, and to foster respect for human life within society.
If you are expecting a baby and would like to receive this very special blessing from our Bishop, please respond to Christiana at the church office (919) 570-0070.
God, author of all life,
bless, we pray, this unborn child;
give constant protection
and grant a healthy birth
that is the sign of our rebirth one day
into the eternal rejoicing of heaven...
- excerpt from "Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb.”
Washington D.C. March for LifeJoin faithful from across the Diocese for the North Carolina Mass and March for Life on Thursday, January 22 in Washington D.C. This year, in the Diocese of Raleigh, over 30 buses from parishes and schools are expected to make the trip. The day begins with Mass with Bishops Michael Burbidge of the Raleigh Diocese and Bishop Peter Jugis of the Charlotte Diocese along with hundreds of priests and deacons at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at 11:30 a.m. The march on the mall follows with several hundred thousand people from across the United States.
There may be some seats available on some of the buses from parishes across the Diocese. For information about getting a seat on a bus, contact the Office of Human Life and Dignity at .
NEW LOCATION AND TIME!
Diocesan Mass for Life, January 17 at NOON at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh
The annual Diocesan Mass for Life which is always held the day of the North Carolina Rally and March for Life has a new location and time! Join us at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh at Noon for Mass with Bishop Burbidge. This new tradition will allow us to join over 1000 Diocese of Raleigh Youth in a heated tent for Mass! It will be a wonderful event. Mark your calendars today! More details will be coming soon about location and parking. Following the Mass, the faithful are encouraged to join the NC Rally and March for Life, also in Halifax Mall, to offer witness to the sanctity of human life and for the protection of the unborn.
SAVE THE DATE!
Fifth Annual Love My Life Youth Rally
On Saturday, January 17 at 10:30 the Fifth Annual Love My Life Youth Rally will be held at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh. The Rally is an opportunity for Catholic teens to come together in celebration, to connect with others from across the Diocese, and to learn more about living and promoting the pro-life culture. Contact your school or youth leaders for more information on this awesome, spirit filled event. The Diocesan Mass for Life will immediately follow at noon. All of these events will be held in a heated tent! See for more information about the Rally.
New Video Available - Who should plan for end of life and Why
In March of this year, The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh released an Advanced Directive Document. This resource is offered to assist the faithful in making sure that the care and treatment at the end of a person’s life is consistent with the Catholic faith and their personal wishes. As a companion to this document we have created a 12-minute video that describes the purpose and benefits of the Advanced Directive as a planning guide for end of life decisions. The video illustrates the importance of an Advanced Directive from a medical and spiritual perspective for the person who is close to death as well as the person’s family. It may be used in your parish to educate the faithful about the beauty of our Catholic teaching about the sanctity of life and to guide the practical decisions that must be made at the end of life.: Click here for more information and a downloadable version of the Catholic Advance Medical Directives or go to
Pope Francis in Philly!! The World Awaits You and so does the Pope!It’s official…Pope Francis is coming to the 8th World Meeting of Families! Plan your trip to Philadelphia, PA for September 22-27, 2015. The city will come alive with multicultural family-centered activities, a congress for youth and for adults and a Papal Mass. Register NOW! For more information see:
Sunday, November 30th, 2014
Let us all be thankful for the gift of our vocation. Learn how to enrich your vocation of Marriage or Holy Orders by attending an enrichment made just for you. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are Feb 6-8, 2015 in Asheville, NC and May 1-3, 2015 in Charlotte, NC. Early sign up is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: contact us at or 704-315-2144.
THE THIRD OPTIONMany of us manage marriage as a series of choices between his desires and her desires, between “peace at any price” and “letting it all hang out.” Because they move us to extremes, these options don’t bring us together.
With The Third Option, you can learn how to break through the clutter of past baggage and misunderstandings and build an effective, loving relationship.
The Third Option is:
•A skills-based group program
•16 session cycle; couples can begin participation at any time during the cycle
•Helpful for any marriage – from brink of divorce to solid ground
•Both spouses do not need to attend
•Educational focus rather than counseling
The Third Option is sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh and offered at the following churches:
St. Andrew the Apostle, CARE Bldg Rm 211, contact Cathy Rusin 919-362-0685, 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
St. Francis of Assisi, Anthony Hall, Rms 405 and 406, contact Jason Lillis 919-847-8201 x244, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
Divorced? Remarried? Planning to marry someone who is divorced? Do you have questions about freedom to marry in the Catholic Church? Did you know that the Tribunal is available to answer these and any other questions you may have about remarriage in the Church? Please contact Mrs. Vikki Newell (919-821-9759) with your questions, or you may wish to visit our website for further information. We welcome the opportunity to help you.
Divorciado? Vuelto a casar? Pensando encasarse con alguien quesedivorció? ¿Tienepreguntasacerca de la libertadde casarse enla IglesiaCatólica?¿Sabía ustedque elTribunalestá disponiblepara responder aestas y otraspreguntas que ustedpueda tener acerca devolverse a casaren la Iglesia?Por favor,póngase en contacto conel Padre JonathanWoodhall(919-821-9758)con sus preguntas, o usted puede visitarnuestro sitio web información. Damos la bienvenida ala oportunidad deayudarle.
Pro-Life Announcements
Please alternate these two announcements in the bulletin during the month of November.
Project Rachel Support Group Abortion is one of the most commonprocedures in the US, experienced by millions of women; many of the women suffering from an abortion are Catholic. Abortioncreates awoundin a post-abortive woman (or man) often resulting inspiritual and emotional problems. The Project Rachel ministry assists women and menwho have been touched by abortion to find healing. There is a support group beginning in the Raleigh/Triangle area in November. If you have experiencedan abortion and would like more information about the supportgroup, contact Project Rachel at(919) 852-1021 or email .For more information go to (website) Note: all callsand appointments are kept strictly confidential.
Project Rachel Support GroupFor women and men who have experienced abortion, God is extending his healing grace through the Project Rachel ministry. As a Church we recognize that those who have been wounded by abortion may be experiencing the pain of grief and remorse. In a caring support group environment, participants can experience a process of healing and renewal. There is a support group beginning in the Raleigh/Triangle area in November. Attendance is strictly confidential. Contact Project Rachel at(919) 852-1021 or email .For more information go to (website). Note: all callsand appointments are kept strictly confidential. Brochures are available in our church in English and Spanish (state where).
Fetal Development of Hannah
November 30 (week 37)
Hannah is absorbing about a gallon of amniotic fluid per day. She is now receiving valuable antibodies from Mom to fight off infections. Fat is deposited in Hannah’s cheeks this week, and the muscles that help Hannah suck are helping to fill Hannah’s little face. Hannah is about 6 pounds and over 20 inches in length. I’m still eating leftovers from Thanksgiving.I’m a little plump, but I’m ready for my first picture.
Mom is probably seeing the doctor every week and should take a Group B Strep test.
“Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
Word of Life
“[T]he courage and grace shown by those women who choose life—in the face of fear, uncertainty, parental or partner intimidation, seemingly insurmountable odds—make them today's heroes. They are joined by the many who counsel, support and nurture them both before and after the birth of their child. Such self-giving love…is powerfully transformative of mother, of child, of families, of cultures.”
— 2013-2014 Respect Life Program (USCCB), Erika Bachiochi, Esq., “Life Matters: Roe Plus 40”
“El valor y la gracia demostrados por las mujeres que optan por la vida –frente al miedo, la incertidumbre, la intimidación de los padres o la pareja– aparentemente insuperables obstáculos, las hacen las heroínas de hoy. A ellas se suman los muchos que aconsejan, apoyan y mantienen a la madre y la criatura antes y después del nacimiento. Tal amor de entrega … es poderosamente transformador de la madre, del niño, de las familias, de las culturas”.
— Programa Respetemos la Vida 2013-2014 (USCCB), Erika Bachiochi, Esq., “La Vida Importa: Roe Cumple 40”.
Intercessions for Life
November 23rd The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
For all people: That we may act with kindness and charity towards the elderly, migrants, the poor, and the unborn;
We pray to the Lord:
23 de noviembre Solemnidad de Cristo Rey
Por todas las personas: para que actuemos con amabilidad y caridad con los ancianos, los migrantes, los pobres y los niños por nacer;
Roguemos al Señor: