The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced that 'Religious Freedom Week 2025 – Witnesses to Hope” will take place June 22-29.
The week begins with the Feast of Sts. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, ends with the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, and includes the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
Religious Freedom Week promotes the importance of preserving the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and people of all faiths. Prepared reflections in English and Spanish are available for each day and can be found at
www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.
“During Religious Freedom Week, Catholics are encouraged to pray and act each day for religious freedom,” the bishops wrote. “The Pray-Reflect-Act series aims to help Catholics build solidarity with people of faith who are persecuted abroad and find strength to carry out the mission of the Church here in the United States. … Thank you again for your support for Religious Freedom Week and for your united voices in the promotion and defense of religious freedom.”
— Joe Purello, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte
CHARLOTTE — The Daughters of the Virgin Mother recently marked 10 years of presence in the Diocese of Charlotte.
On May 13, 2015, with the approval of then Bishop Peter Jugis, Sister Mary Raphael started an apostolate in the diocese that aimed to serve the priesthood just as Mary served Jesus.
“Through our baptism and a life of grace, we seek to know what Our Lady knew as daughter of God, the Father,” she said.
Formed in 2015, the Daughters of the Virgin Mother tend to practical and spiritual needs of men preparing for the priesthood, as well as those already ordained. In 2023 it was recognized as a Private Association of the Christian Faithful, one step in the Church’s process of becoming a fully recognized religious community.
Members primarily serve at St. Joseph College Seminary but also work in parishes.
“I suppose these last 10 years could reflect the Annunciation and the life that was given to be nurtured and to bear fruit,” Sister Mary Raphael wrote on their anniversary.
“Thank you to eight brave women who came. On my tough days, you are my inspiration, because now you lead me, too. I see your example. I see your generosity, and it calls me higher up and further in. Thank you to the priests of our diocese who have been our fathers, who believed in this endeavor and who have helped form and spiritually guide us. It’s one thing to support a community of 10 years. It’s a very different thing to believe in them from year one.
“My prayer is that in this next decade, we’re going to live out the Mystery of the Visitation. Look at the beautiful things the Lord is doing in His sacred grace.”
— Photo provided