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8B RELIGION/Ttte CtarUtK $ot Thursday, February 16, 2006 Nuns, ‘Sweetheart’ return to New Orleans Continued from page 5B has a fairy godmother’s beam ing round face and fluff of cot- ton-candy white hair. All the nuns have served in Ursuline convents across America as well as more dis tant spots, including Cameroon and Mexico. But many have deep roots and a special devotion to this city Among them is Sister Dami an, who has a quick lau^ and playful manner — “Where’d you blow in from?” she asks an out-of-town visitor — but a serious message about resilience. “See,” she confides, “New Orleans has a soul. It’s not something that will come and go’ . And the Ursulines? “I think our presence makes a difference - both as history and as a symbol,” she says. “It speaks to endurance, perse verance, support. ... We’re a bond between the past and the flitme. Our job now is to listen and help people get their lives back tcgether.” That’s already beginning. The Ursuline Academy - believed to be the oldest, con tinuously running all-girls school in the nation — has resumed elementary and hi^ school classes along with its toddler pregram. Some 585 of 740 students are back. Over the centuries, the nuns have prided themselves on teach ing the rich and poor, free women of color, slaves and American Indians. The nuns celebrated thdr return in Janiiary with a feast day for their patroness. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, or quick help. For centuries, peo ple have flocked to this shrine to pray before a gilded statue of the \^rgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. On this occasion, both fig ures wore special crowns crafted with jewels—including wedding lings and family heiriooms - donated by com munity members in the 1890s. Hundreds gathered beneath the iron chandeliers for prayers and hymns in the annual Mass of thanksgiving Baptists split over church’s views Continued from page 7B in the North. The different groups sub scribe to many of the same beliefs. They only baptize adults, and consider the Bible their sole source of authority Their churches are autonomous. But they differ widely on a host of social and political views. Southern Baptists ban women fixjm serving as pas- toi's and, in their Baptist Faith & Message, say a wife should “submit” to her hus band’s leadership. Most American Baptists tend to be moderate to liberal. Conservative Baptist posi tions can be a turnoff for churchgoers in progressive Providence, a city run by an openly gay mayor, said Evan Howard, pastor of Communi ty Church of Providence, for merly Central Baptist Church. Howard’s 200-year-old American Baptist coigrega- tion changed its name two years ago — in part because the pastor realized his neigh borhood could no longer sup port a traditional Baptist chiuxh, and because church members feared the term “Baptist” would deter new comers who associate it with Southern Baptists — who hold views they dislike. “We’re not comfortable with that sort of black and white feeling We’re more comfort able saying, ‘All welcome,”’ he said. But he recognizes that other Baptists would spurn his teachings, such as that parts of the Bible should be read metaphorically, rather than hlerally. Southern Baptists believe the Bible is the inerr^nt word of God. “The Southerners would say. This guy’s not Christian, how could he even be a minis ter?” he said. Some Baptists lament that conservatives are considered the main representatives of the tradition. Walter Shui*- den, executive director of the Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., left the Southern Baptist Convention because he felt it strayed too far fiom Williams’ beliefs. ry^owNS Ry Regina Taylor '\4l4pcd from lIk book by Michael C.^nin5haTn Marbcrry A Gospel Fusion of Faith Fashion! Feb 15 - Mar 5 Get tickets online @ actorstheatrecharlotte.org Or call 704.34z.zis1 /t's all about HAT-ti-tude! QThc Cliarlottf Post CMAMItH iaoxV THCATUt CMwaont K , SCIENCE COLIN'CIL Information that is always on line, 24 hours a day www.thecharlottepost.com tCbe Cbatlotte SoM that marks the anniversary of the U.S. triumph over the British in the Battle of New Orleans. Our Lady of Prompt Suc cor’s origins date back to France in the eariy 1800s. That’s when an Ureuline nun in New Orleans, short of teachers, wrote a cousin who was at an Ursuline convent in France, seeking reinforce ments. When the French nun was told she needed approval firom the pope, it seemed unlikely since he was impris oned by Napoleon. Yet, amazingly, within weeks, she had permission. She carried with her the wooden statue that genei'a- tions of Ursuline students have prayed before with these words: “CXir Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to hdp us.” A smaller statue of the vir gin Mary is an even older part of the Ursuline tradition. This one was rescued fiom a convent attic in France in the 1780s and brou^t to New Orleans. Decades later, it received an enduring nick name after some Ursuline students and devotees report ed that their prayers to the Viigin Mary before the statue had been answered. A nun. Mother St. Benoit, responded by saying; “Oh, she’s a sweet heart!” “Sweetheart” is credited with saving the Ursulines’ for mer convent when fire swept throu^ the French Quarter _ some say in 1812, others think eai'Uei*. According to legend, when the statue was placed in the window, the wind changed direction and the building was spared. Last September, as the nuns prepared to evacuate their current home. Sister Carolyn Brockland, the prioress, rolled "Sweetheart” in bubble wrap, cushioned it in a box. “Do we follow the vision of Roger Williams that this role of fi:eedom, or do we become Baptists who try to conform everyone into our image?” Shurden asked Andy Haynes, pastor of the Southern Baptist Grace Har bor church, says he does not want to create division. ‘'We have our differences,” Haynes said. 5^^ASTORAL Bishop A.L. JinwiiAt Pastor Harriet Porter-Jimuright Ms. Anthonae Jinwright Vint Daughttr'i February t /, 2WM - 6:00^m February 12.2006 - .^:00fim Aaottle Otii l.Ofkeft OfimsiMcn. NT ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION February 13-16.2006 " 7:00f>m Nightly Bifbop f*auJ Morfpn ■tii.S ('.ttutt M. Sjtpbffl Deesue, GA Pastor Jtttkie McCuUougb Brni Kdf>iui Muuatrin NV 7:45iin ,' Carhs Ma/one Hrthcl Eu6 (KMMi iUMM i'hwrfi FEBRUARY 19,2006 \0:45dn\ l^s/or Claude Alexander l(i»hwifvH*rk HurnttChwch ClMtfloltr.St GALA banquet Charlotte Westin Hotel February 18.2006 - 6:00pm Bishop Kevin Long Tcwvtc vhlMcii Chail>n«, NC Bishop Osear Brown Apostle Sorhert Simmons '.m.MtfolhcnS'HChuKh D«| ' F>r«.M(!OihcnMlCWh BoltuMotf. MD Lite Ciuukh M G.AfU>.>ro. NC Bishop Harold Ray Rcxlniii'iiv* |jf KrfkMtTiiii WWPjhi.nfml^FI. CULMINATION SUNDAY February 26.2006 7:4S.im For more information, to purshate Kintfuet tickets, or to diiplay an ad in the (^mmemorative Journal ^1704.3 5:00pm Bishop Haywood Parker irwn [•bcnitck.VliiiiMnr* Kockv Moent, .NC . , . _ - , Pastor Herbert Crump please call 704.3995448 or email wjo^reatenalem.org
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