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February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

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At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from the dedication of Holy Family Parish’s new chapel and Catholic section of Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) Bishop Peter Jugis delivers the homily at a dedication Mass Jan. 27 in the new Holy Family Chapel. (Below) Bishop Jugis was assisted at the altar by Deacon John Harrison. After Mass, Bishop Peter Jugis blessed a section of the columbarium and gravesites at Westlawn Garden of Memory cemetery nearby.

Marvelously transformed

Holy Family Parish celebrates new chapel, Catholic cemetery blessing

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CLEMMONS — Parishioners at Holy Family Church celebrated a long-awaited milestone Jan. 27, with the blessing of their new chapel and cemetery.

Bishop Peter Jugis led the ceremonies at the parish to open the 130-seat chapel and bless a new Catholic burial section and columbarium at Westlawn Gardens of Memory cemetery in Clemmons.

The new 2,040-square-foot chapel is what parishioners consider the “crowning jewel” in a series of improvements at the parish’s Bishop William G. Curlin Center, adjacent to the main church.

During the Mass, Bishop Jugis blessed the chapel, its sanctuary and new altar with holy water and consecrated the altar with sacred chrism. He then lit incense in a bowl placed upon the altar during the sacred rite of consecration. Two parishioners then prepared the altar with white linen cloths for the celebration of the Mass.

In his homily, Bishop Jugis commended parishioners’ efforts and remarked how the space had been “marvelously transformed into a thing of beauty to give honor and glory to Almighty God, so as to worship God in this holy space.”

He noted that the newly consecrated altar exists to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, just as Jesus Christ commanded to be perpetuated as a living memorial until He comes again.

“A sacrifice needs an altar,” he explained. “When we come to Mass, we are offering the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the world – and for our own salvation, and for the intentions that we bring to Mass.”

At the conclusion of Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament was placed in the chapel’s original tabernacle and the adjacent sanctuary lamp was lit – signifying that Christ was now present.

Concelebrating at the Mass were Father James Stuhrenberg, pastor; Father Peter Nouck, parochial vicar; and former pastor Father Michael Buttner. Deacon John Harrison assisted.

At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Peter Jugis performed the official Rite of Installation of a Pastor for Father Stuhrenberg, who was assigned as pastor of the parish last July following Father Buttner’s retirement.

Deacon Harrison served as project leader for the Curlin Center renovation. He noted, “The new chapel will be a great addition for our parish. It will provide a quiet and more intimate space for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, small funerals and weddings, weekday Masses and more.”

Funds helped Church remain ‘beacon of hope’ in dark period

Diocese counters report: Paycheck Protection funds were lifeline

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — Dioceses across the country, including the Diocese of Charlotte, are refuting an Associated Press report they say erroneously asserts that dioceses had millions of dollars “available” when the pandemic hit and did not need help from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Created by Congress last spring to keep people employed during the pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program offered forgivable loans to businesses, nonprofits and churches with fewer than 500 employees that needed help covering the cost of salaries as the economy shut down.

The Diocese of Charlotte is comprised of more than 100 separate Catholic entities – all separate employers with separate finances and administrations – including parishes, schools and other ministries across western North Carolina. About half of those entities qualified, applied and were approved for Paycheck Protection loans in 2020 – which helped keep more than 1,000 workers, teachers and counselors fully employed and insured after the lockdown last March.

Overall, 56 entities across the diocese received Paycheck Protection funding totaling about $8 million, which had to be spent on payroll, mortgage or rent, and utility costs. Loan amounts were prescribed by the Paycheck Protection Program, overseen by the Small Business Administration. On average, parishes received $72,180, and several ultimately were able to return some of the funding as parishioners and donors responded to help the Church weather the downturn.

“When the pandemic hit and churches were forced to close, offertory and other income fell dramatically, as it did for businesses and organizations nationwide,” said William G. Weldon, the diocese’s chief financial officer. “Without this assistance, our parishes, schools and ministries would have had to consider layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts – the very impacts the Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help employers avoid.”

Instead, the various Church entities found new ways to provide comfort throughout the pandemic – through livestreamed, outdoor and other safe religious services, and essential programs such as in-person education, emergency food and utility assistance, mental health counseling and spiritual guidance, and the provision of