On the edge of my property a lone peach tree grows between the woods and the gravel drive. Years ago, someone probably finished eating a peach and carelessly tossed the pit out of their car window. With the dense undergrowth, the pit overcame insurmountable odds to sprout into a sapling and grow into a small tree. 
Tom Holland’s magnificent book “Dominion” develops in detail what amounts to a very simple proposition – namely, that Christianity is responsible for many of the central values we take for granted and assume to be universal. In point of fact, he says, our insistence on the dignity of the individual, fundamental human rights, the principle of equality and, perhaps above all, that the poor, the marginalized and the victimized ought to be specially cherished, flows from basic Christian convictions. 
Nearly 40 years ago, on a Tuesday, my sister Erin ran into the house with the excitement and enthusiasm that only a 7-year-old girl with a story to tell could muster. Immediately, she began to tell my mother about the wonderful adventure that she and her older brother had been having outside. Now she described in great detail the clouds and the birds and the sunshine and the neighbors who walked by all as we were engaged in the challenging project of getting a kite to fly on a Tuesday afternoon.
As a small child, I was a bit of a religious nerd. I’m not sure why, but I was the oldest child, the only daughter, and our little Catholic mission parish in farm country was central to our lives. From a young age, faith intrigued me.
There are so many things clamoring for our attention these days, in all different kinds of ways. We are assaulted by advertisements, which are practically unavoidable on every video we watch, on billboards, on the radio and on our social media feeds. 
We began the season of Lent this past Feb. 14, precisely on Valentine’s Day, a day of love and friendship. What better time to begin this season with the true love of Jesus in His self-giving for us!
In Roman Catholic parishes, the rituals of Lent begin with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. But many Eastern Christians – both Catholic and Orthodox – set the tone for the penitential season of Lent by observing another tradition: Forgiveness Sunday.
Shhhh.
Saying farewell with dignity
CHARLOTTE — The Catholic faith teaches that it is an important corporal work of mercy to bury the dead, and many local members of the faithful are heeding this moral imperative by giving to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte to help those in need with the final expenses of their loved ones.
“Our burial assistance program has deeply touched the hearts of numerous dedicated donors wholeheartedly committed to the cause,” said Virginia Garramone, development director for Catholic Charities. “They generously choose to contribute directly to the Catholic Charities burial assistance program, empowering us to continue providing the essential services to bury cherished loved ones with dignity and respect.”
For many families, the cost of burying a loved one is a substantial financial challenge. The average cost of a funeral in the United States ranges from $7,000 to $12,000 – a major obstacle for many people struggling just to make ends meet. The unexpected expense compounds the burden they already face in grieving for their loved one.
Catholic Charities’ burial assistance began in 1994, when Mecklenburg County stopped paying to bury the poor. The charity teamed up with concerned citizens, social workers, funeral home directors and the city’s cemetery director to establish a burial plan for needy Mecklenburg County residents, providing funeral and burial or cremation services to indigent families.
“We partner with funeral homes that will do burial (graveside service) and or cremation at a reduced rate. Burial is $1,100 and cremation is $600. We encourage the family to contribute toward that amount,” said Sylvia Sekle, the direct assistance coordinator for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
Families contact Sekle, and she sets up an appointment to meet with them. She then contacts the partner funeral homes to see which one is the best fit for the family and their particular circumstances.
“Through the burial assistance program, we can assist and support families in providing dignified burial and/or cremation for their deceased loved ones,” she said.
This program serves families who have no insurance, are unable to negotiate financial arrangements with a funeral home, or cannot pay the costs associated with traditional death expenses. The deceased must have been a resident of Mecklenburg County or the Asheville area to be eligible.
In April, the partner funeral homes were given the Fruit of the Vine Award at Catholic Charities’ annual benefit, Vineyard of Hope. The honorees included John Adams from A.E. Grier and Sons, Jerry Anthony from Alexander Funeral Home, the Rev. Brad Humphrey from Grier Funeral Service, and Danielle Roseboro from Roseboro Mortuary and Crematory.
In recent comments, Humphrey, the CEO of Grier Funeral Service in Charlotte, said the program has been a blessing for families experiencing a devastating event in their lives.
“Knowing there is someone out there to help means so much to them. I’ve seen tears welling up in people’s eyes when they learn they will be able to say farewell to their loved ones with dignity,” he said. “When people who may not necessarily have funds for a decent funeral are given the opportunity to do so, it is truly a blessing. They are truly grateful for the services this program makes possible.”
In 2000, Catholic Charities established an endowment within the diocesan foundation to ensure the sustained support of burial assistance efforts. This generates ongoing funds that will directly impact the lives of those in need and their loved ones for generations to come.
“There will always be a need for burial assistance for those who are unable to afford to pay for the burial of loved ones,” said Jim Kelley, development director for the Diocese of Charlotte. “We have a wonderful partnership with the funeral homes and donors who make gifts restricted to our burial assistance program. The endowment will provide distributions over time that will also support this life-changing work.”
— Annie Ferguson
Donate
To give directly to the burial assistance program at Catholic Charities, contact Virginia Garramone at 704-370-3349 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To give to the burial assistance endowment managed by the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-340-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Request burial assistance
Contact Sylvia Sekle at 704-370-3295 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..