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.
‘It is a joy to serve the Lord here in the Diocese of Charlotte’
CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis quietly celebrated the 20th anniversary of his episcopal ordination Tuesday with a Mass of Thanksgiving that included a homily centered around one of his favorite topics: the importance of the Eucharist.
About 30 people were happily surprised to see Bishop Jugis as he observed this milestone by offering the usual daily Mass Oct. 24 at St. Patrick Cathedral. Mass was celebrated in the temporary chapel at St. Patrick Cathedral’s Family Life Center due to construction work inside the cathedral.
The bishop led his homily with facts about St. Anthony Mary Claret, a 19th-century Spanish bishop who became a missionary and is known for evangelizing in Cuba. The saint’s feast day is Oct. 24, the same day as Bishop Jugis’ anniversary, and they also share the same motto: “Caritas Christi Urget Nos” (“The Love of Christ Impels Us”).
“He spent his life sharing the Good News, teaching, preaching and writing so Catholics would understand what they believe,” Bishop Jugis said. “What was the secret of his apostolate? The Eucharist – the belief that Christ is present in the Eucharist – was the powerhouse of his spirituality. Wherever there is a great devotion to the Eucharist, great things will happen. It is the source and summit of our Christian faith.”
Promoting devotion to the Eucharist has been at the heart of Bishop Jugis’ tenure as leader of the diocese, and he credits faith in the Eucharist as key to the exponential growth the diocese is experiencing, he said. More than 530,000 Catholics now call the Charlotte diocese home – more than double what the population was in 2003 when then-Father Jugis was ordained the fourth Bishop of Charlotte. The diocese’s 92 parishes and missions, 20 schools, vocations program, and 50-plus charitable ministries are flourishing.
“You can see what our devotion to the Eucharist has brought to the diocese,” Bishop Jugis said. “Our parishes are strong, with good Mass attendance. Our schools are flourishing, Catholic Charities is expanding, more parishes are starting Eucharistic Adoration chapels, the vocations program is growing, and the annual Eucharistic Congress is flourishing. Our spiritual vitality comes from the true source: Christ’s real Presence in the Eucharist.”
At the end of the liturgy, Bishop Jugis thanked the people who attended the Mass with him.
“It is a joy to serve the Lord here in the Diocese of Charlotte,” he said. “Remember that everything – all that we have and all that we do – is a gift from a loving God.”
Michael Dickerson, a member of St. Gabriel Parish who regularly attends daily Mass at the cathedral, said it was a “pleasant surprise” to see the bishop.
“It’s always good to hear him speak, and I especially thought the homily about the Eucharist being the summit of our faith was a great inspiration,” he said.
Lily Haynie, a member of the cathedral parish, appreciated the chance to share the occasion with Bishop Jugis.
“He reminds us of what makes us truly Catholic, and he has helped make the Church here in the Diocese of Charlotte strong,” she said. “My faith has never been stronger than it has become since I have lived in this diocese under his leadership.”
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy Hull
Diocese marks Bishop Peter Jugis’ 20th anniversary:
- Amid booming growth, diocese marks Bishop Jugis’ 20th anniversary
- Hispanic community enriches diocese’s growth, faith
- Bishop Jugis calls faithful to unity in the Real Presence
- Bishop Jugis’ pilgrimages to the Vatican
- Fourth Bishop of Charlotte: A native Charlottean, ordained by John Paul II
- Looking back: Ordination Day 2003
