Vocations Edition - 2021

June 18, 2021

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org

“As I have loved you.” —(John 13:34)

“Como yo los he amado.” —(Juan 13:34)

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Deacon Joseph Wasswa receives the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Peter Jugis during the transitional diaconate Mass July 24, 2020. He will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday, June 19, at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Wasswa, who is from Uganda, reflects the growing diversity in the diocese, which now numbers more than 515,000 people.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Here to serve God’

Thriving vocations are ‘powerful testimony’ to our diverse diocesan family SUEANN HOWELL AND PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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About the cover This year’s Vocations cover features a depiction of the Last Supper by Renaissance-era painter Benedetto Caliari. The image is actually half of Caliari’s painting, which depicts two moments from when Jesus gathered the apostles for the Passover meal: instituting the Eucharist, and washing the feet of His disciples. The full image illustrates the theme for this year’s Eucharistic Congress, chosen by Bishop Peter Jugis: “As I Have Loved You,” taken from the Gospel of John 13:34. In St. John’s Gospel, what’s known as the “Book of Glory” begins with Chapter 13. In this chapter we are invited to understand the “Washing of the Feet,” the Last Supper/Holy Mass and the “New” Commandment to love with divine love.

After having washed their feet, Jesus tells His disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

— Catholic News Herald

he Diocese of Charlotte now counts a Catholic population surpassing 515,000, served by an increasing number of priests and deacons – both natives of North Carolina and clergy who have come here from all over the world. They minister in the model of St. Joseph, quietly going about the work of serving God and His Church.

The diocese ordained its first priest in 1974, only two years after it was established, and since then the number of clergy has continued to grow as the diocese has grown.

Prayers and unwavering support from the faithful – seeds planted in fertile ground – have brought the Presence of Christ to every corner of western North Carolina.

Today, that ground is more diverse than ever – with diocesan and other priests offering Masses in the Roman rite (both Ordinary and Extraordinary forms), Maronite rite, PRIESTLY FORMATION In addition to the growing diversity from incoming clergy, the diocese is also fostering local vocations with much success.

This fall, the diocese expects to have at least 43 men studying for the

Ukrainian Greek rite, Syro-Malabar rite and Ge’ez rite. Ordinary Form Masses are said routinely in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Hmong; additional Masses are also offered periodically in Igbo and Polish.

In 92 parishes and missions across western North Carolina, 124 priests and 133 deacons are at work serving the people of God, with dozens more in formation for future ordination. In this guide, you’ll read stories about some of them – priest candidates from Uganda and Mexico, and jubilarians from seven U.S. states as well as Colombia, India and Vietnam.

The diocese embraces this diversity of cultures, languages and people. Bishop Peter Jugis has cited it as a sign of the Holy Spirit at work, noting in a 2017 Mass for priest jubilarians: “This is Catholicism … It is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and it’s all happening right here.” priesthood, including 20 seminarians at two major seminaries in the U.S. and in Rome. Nearly two dozen students have been accepted at the diocese’s St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, and more applications are pending.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

(At right) Priests of the Diocese of Charlotte gathered for the Chrism Mass March 30 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

(Below) Father Adrian Porras distributes Holy Communion Sept. 7 at the 2019 Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘God looks on the heart, and in St. Joseph He recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines.

Vocations have this same goal: to beget and renew lives every day.’

Pope Francis

2021 World Day of Prayer for Vocations

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Vocation resources If you or someone you know is contemplating a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, check out the following general resources online.

Talk with your pastor, reach out to the diocese’s vocations promoter, read up on consecrated life and the various religious communities that exist, and contact communities that interest you. Many offer “come and see” days or retreats that are good opportunities to learn more and meet others who have already accepted God’s call to religious life.

For young men and women, there are also summer discernment retreats offered by the Diocese of Charlotte and hosted at Belmont Abbey College: Quo Vadis Days for young men, and Duc in Altum for young women. This year’s retreats are already fully booked, but information about the 2022 retreats will be posted next spring online at www. charlottediocese.org/vocations.

Overall, remember: Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions!

Diocesan Vocations Office Father Christopher Gober, Vocations Director: vocationsmail@charlottediocese.org Father Brian Becker, Vocations Promoter: bjbecker@charlottediocese.org

General information

Since it opened in 2016, St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to study and discern a priestly vocation close to their homes and parishes. It is the only program of its kind located between northern Virginia and southern Florida.

The college seminary has attracted men from across the diocese, with nine of the diocese’s 10 vicariates represented.

Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 27 during the 2020-’21 academic year.

Last September, the diocese made history with the opening of a permanent home for the college seminary, on land situated between Belmont and Mount Holly. With Gothic architecture and brickwork inspired by nearby Belmont Abbey, where in 1876 Benedictine monks planted the roots of Catholicism in western North Carolina, the two-story, 30,000-square-foot building includes 40 dorm rooms, a chapel, classroom and library, faculty offices, a refectory and kitchen, and a picturesque cloister walk.

Another milestone for St. Joseph College Seminary has been graduating its largest class to date. Nine men finished their studies last month and now move on to major seminaries in Ohio and Rome this fall to continue their formation as future priests for the diocese.

The increasing interest in priestly vocations is welcomed by Bishop Jugis.

“The need for well-formed, faithful priests to serve our growing Catholic population is great,” he has commented, noting that the number of priests serving the diocese has grown 76 percent since 1972 while the Catholic population has grown a staggering 900 percent.

The diocese is “a family of faith,” he has said, and “the preparation of priests is our collective responsibility and one that benefits each and every soul in our diocesan family.”

On June 19, Bishop Jugis will ordain two more men as priests to serve the People of God in western North Carolina.

Reflecting the diocese’s growing diversity, neither priest candidate was born in the United States – one hails from Uganda, the other from Mexico – but both have found a spiritual home here among our diocesan family.

ST. JOSEPH’S EXAMPLE This past year has been very difficult, but the work of fostering vocations within the diocesan family has continued steadily and quietly.

And that may be fitting given that 2020 was the diocesan Year of St. Joseph, and in 2021 the Church worldwide is celebrating a similar year to encourage a greater love for and inspiration from Jesus’ guardian and patron of the universal Church.

During a May 1, 2020, Mass for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, on the construction site of St. Joseph College Seminary, Bishop Jugis noted that St. Joseph is an ideal example of how to serve the Church family.

“We don’t hear about St. Joseph seeking praises or glory from others, even though he was in a very exalted position as

head of the Holy Family. He was here to serve God and to do the work that God asked of him,” he said.

The necessarily humble and subdued celebrations for the diocesan Year of St. Joseph in 2020 and the universal year of celebration this year, he said, “teach us about the humility of the great saint we honor.”

Pope Francis also noted in his message for the 2021 World Day of Prayer for Vocations that religious and priestly life must imitate St. Joseph, with the simple joy of caring every day for what really matters.

His message – released on March 19, 2021, the feast of St. Joseph – was dedicated to the saint and “the dream of vocation.”

“St. Joseph is an extraordinary figure, yet at the same time one ‘so close to our own human experience,’” the pope wrote.

“He did not do astonishing things, he had no unique charisms, nor did he appear special in the eyes of those who met him. He was not famous or even noteworthy: the Gospels do not report even a single word of his. Still, through his ordinary life, he accomplished something extraordinary in the eyes of God. “God looks on the heart (cf. 1 Sam 16:7), and in St. Joseph He recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines. Vocations have this same goal: to beget and renew lives every day.”

The saint’s heart was always listening to God, who spoke to him in his dreams, the pope wrote.

“This applies also to our calling: God does not like to reveal Himself in a spectacular way, pressuring our freedom. He conveys His plans to us with gentleness. He does not overwhelm us with dazzling visions but quietly speaks in the depths of our heart, drawing near to us and speaking to us through our thoughts and feelings. In this way, as He did with St. Joseph, He sets before us profound and unexpected horizons.”

The saint faced numerous upheavals, but he always found the courage to follow God’s will, the pope said. The same must happen with a vocation, he said, because “God’s call always urges us to take a first step, to give ourselves, to press forward.

There can be no faith without risk.”

St. Joseph is a model of service “as a concrete expression of the gift of self,” the pope wrote. He adapted to different and unexpected circumstances with “a quiet perseverance,” always “ready to give a hand to help resolve situations.”

“The priesthood and the consecrated life greatly need these qualities nowadays, in times marked by fragility but also by the sufferings due to the pandemic, which has spawned uncertainties and fears about the future and the very meaning of life.”

“This fidelity is the secret of joy,” he noted. “It is the joy of simplicity, the joy experienced daily by those who care for what truly matters: faithful closeness to God and to our neighbor.”

“I pray that you will experience this same joy, dear brothers and sisters who have generously made God the dream of your lives, serving Him in your brothers and sisters through a fidelity that is a powerful testimony in an age of ephemeral choices and emotions that bring no lasting joy.”

— Catholic News Service contributed.

n www.foryourvocation.org: Set up by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, dedicated to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life for both men and women. They are also on Facebook and YouTube. There are resources for parents and teachers, questions to ask yourself if you feel God is calling you, videos of vocation stories from priests and religious all over the U.S., and more. n www.religiouslife.com: The Institute for Religious Life’s website, with plenty of resources for both men and women interested in a vocation or those who wish to support religious life. n Not sure what religious communities are out there that might be a good fit for you? Check out: www.religiousministries.com. Search this database to find a men’s or women’s religious community, whether you wish to become a priest, nun, brother or lay missioner, or just want to find out more about living a religious life. n www.cloisteredlife.com: Aims to bring to attention the gift of cloistered and monastic life in the Church, sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life.

Religious communities for men n www.cmsm.org: The Conference of Major Superiors of Men serves the leadership of the Catholic orders and congregations of the more than 17,000 vowed religious priests and brothers in the U.S. n www.religiousbrotherhood.com: Sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life specifically to increase awareness of the specific charism of religious brotherhood in the U.S.

Religious communities for women n www.cmswr.org: The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) is a canonically approved organization, founded in 1992, to promote religious life in the U.S. n www.lcwr.org: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the U.S.

Interested in becoming a permanent deacon?

If you are interested in serving as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte, contact Deacon Ed Konarski at edward.konarski@charlottediocese. org by July 15. Only those men who appear to have a genuine call to formation as a deacon will be invited by the formation team to complete an application for admission to the next formation class. Details are online at www.charlottediocese.org/permanentdiaconate/permanent-diaconate.

— Catholic News Herald

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Two men to be ordained priests June 19 CHARLOTTE — On Saturday, June 19, Bishop Peter Jugis will ordain Deacon Juan Miguel Sanchez and Deacon Joseph Wasswa to the holy priesthood.

All are welcome to attend the 10 a.m. ordination Mass, which will take place at St. Mark Church, located at 14740 Stumptown Road in More ordination Huntersville. coverage online Originally from Mexico, Deacon Juan Miguel At www.

Sanchez is a parishioner of catholicnewsherald.

St. Francis of Assisi Church com: Watch videos and in Lenoir. He completed see photos from the ordination Masses, Rite of his college studies at the Pontifical College Admission to Candidacy Josephinum in Columbus, for Holy Orders and Ohio. He recently completed Bishop Peter J. Jugis’ his theological studies at the homilies, and learn more about the new priests and Pontifical North American College in Rome. transitional deacons Deacon Joseph Wasswa, originally from Uganda, is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. He completed his college studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda. He recently completed his theological studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

The evening before their ordination, St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte will host a Holy Hour for the priest candidates and their families and friends. Bishop Jugis and priests and seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte will pray vespers during the Holy Hour.

Bishop Jugis will also bless their vestments and chalices.

All are welcome to attend the prayer service, which will start at 5 p.m. St. Patrick Cathedral is located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Joseph Wasswa

Juan Miguel Sanchez

Home parish: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury Birthplace: Kalisizo, Uganda Birthday: Nov. 22, 1988 Raised in: Kalisizo, Uganda Family: Parents Henry Gideon Kisekulo and Antonietta Namaganda; siblings Florence, John Vinay, Robert, Olivia, Salome, Josephine and Julian College: St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy Pre-Theology/Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio Summer assignments in the diocese: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury; Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe; St. Ann Church, Charlotte; Wasswa St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Sylva; and St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Wasswa: Soccer, movies, spiritual reading, gardening and board games.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Wasswa: In fourth grade, I was very close to my parish and extremely loved being at church with priests and seminarians. While in sixth grade, during my confirmation Mass, it was very clear to me that the Lord wanted me to discern the priesthood.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Wasswa: My parents, my siblings, my priest friends and in the formation houses I have been to.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte?

Wasswa: It is indeed an honor and a blessing to be part of this vibrant and fast-growing Diocese of Charlotte. Thank you to the many holy men and holy women who have dedicated themselves to the service of this great diocese. I have been greatly encouraged by the increasing thirst for the sacred and the pursuit of holiness among the people of the Diocese of Charlotte. I am very grateful for the wonderful support and prayers I have received from the people of this diocese throughout my seminary formation. I look forward to serving the people of this diocese faithfully and to help them on our way to heaven.

Home parish: St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lenoir Birthplace: Ixtlahuacán del Río, Mexico Birthday: Dec. 1, 1984 Raised in: Ixtlahuacán del Río and Guadalajara city until age 20, then moved to Charleston, S.C. Family: Parents Ignacio Sanchez Yañez and Maria Garcia Perez; siblings Rosario, Dolores, Teresa, Pedro, Jesús, Luis, Aurora, Guadalupe, Martin, Ignacio, Leonardo, Andrés, Edith and Lizbeth College: Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Philosophy Theology: Pontifical North American Sanchez College, Rome Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Eugene Church, Asheville; St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte; Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe; St. John the Baptist Church, Tryon; and St. Therese Church, Mooresville CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Sanchez: I like to hike, to do some crafts and art, to draw and to do calligraphy. I also like to cook and do some gardening.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Sanchez: When I was around 8 years old and I was serving as an altar boy.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Sanchez: Father Julio Dominguez (Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte).

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte?

Sanchez: I will always be grateful to all the people who made my priesthood possible. Thank you for being there for me through your spiritual, moral and material support. I am looking forward to serving in the Diocese of Charlotte and to grow together in the love of God and neighbor. I humbly request that all of you keep in your prayers all priests, in particular those who may be struggling now.

Very Reverend Steven P. Beseau, Rector/President, and the seminarians, faculty and staff of the Pontifical College Josephinum send congratulations and prayerful best wishes to

Alumni

FAther JuAn miguel SAnchez FAther JoSeph WASSWA Ordained to the Holy Priesthood June 19, 2021 Ad Multos Annos!

7625 North High Street Columbus, Ohio www.pcj.edu | Email: info@pcj.edu Facebook Instagram

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Rejoicing with you on this special occasion.

Congratulations to all of our Priests, Deacons and Religious celebrating their Jubilee Anniversaries.

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June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Dos hombres serán ordenados sacerdotes el 19 de junio CHARLOTTE — El sábado 19 de junio, el Obispo Peter Jugis ordenará a los Diáconos Juan Miguel Sánchez y Joseph Wasswa al santo sacerdocio. Todos están invitados a asistir a la Misa de ordenación de las 10 de la mañana, que se Cobertura online de llevará a cabo las ordenaciones en la Iglesia San Marcos, En www. ubicada catholicnewsherald.com: en 14740 Vea videos y más fotos de Stumptown las Misas de Ordenación, Road en Rito de Admisión a la Huntersville.

Candidatura a las Órdenes Originario Sagradas, las homilías de México, el del Obispo Peter J. Jugis, Diácono Juan y conozca más sobre Miguel Sánchez los nuevos sacerdotes y es feligrés de diáconos transicionales. la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir. Completó sus estudios universitarios en la Pontificia Universidad Josephinum en Columbus,

Ohio. Recientemente concluyó sus estudios teológicos en la Pontificia Universidad Norteamericana en Roma.

El Diácono Joseph Wasswa, originario de Uganda, es feligrés de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury. Completó sus estudios universitarios en el Seminario Mayor Santo Tomás de Aquino en Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda. Recientemente finalizó sus estudios teológicos en la Pontificia Universidad Josephinum.

La noche antes de la ordenación, la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte ofrecerá una Hora Santa para los candidatos a sacerdotes y sus familias y amigos. El Obispo Jugis, sacerdotes y seminaristas de la Diócesis de Charlotte rezarán vísperas durante la Hora Santa. El Obispo Jugis también bendecirá sus vestiduras y cálices.

Todos son bienvenidos a asistir al servicio de oración que comenzará a las cinco de la tarde en la Catedral San Patricio.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

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Prayerful best wishes on the occasion of your ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

Joseph Wasswa Parroquia de origen: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury.

Lugar de nacimiento: Kalisizo, Uganda.

Fecha de nacimiento: 22 de noviembre de 1988.

Criado en: Kalisizo, Uganda.

Familiares: Padres: Henry Gideon Kisekulo y Antonietta Namaganda; hermanos: Florence, John Vinay, Robert, Olivia, Salome, Josephine y Julian.

College: Seminario Mayor Santo Tomás de Aquino, Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda.

Grado: Bachiller en Filosofía.

Wasswa Pre-Teología/Teología: Pontificia Universidad Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Monroe; Iglesia Santa Ana, Charlotte; Iglesia Santa María, Madre de Dios, Sylva; y Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte.

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Wasswa: Fútbol soccer, las películas, lecturas espirituales, jardinería y juegos de mesa.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Wasswa: En cuarto grado estaba muy cerca de mi parroquia y me encantaba estar en la iglesia con los sacerdotes y seminaristas. Mientras estaba en sexto grado, durante mi Misa de confirmación, tuve muy claro que el Señor quería que yo discerniera el sacerdocio.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Wasswa: Mis padres, mis hermanos, mis amigos sacerdotes y las casas de formación por la que he pasado.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Wasswa: Es realmente un honor y una bendición ser parte de esta Diócesis de Charlotte vibrante y de rápido crecimiento. Gracias a los muchos santos y santas que se han dedicado al servicio de esta gran diócesis. Me ha animado enormemente la creciente sed de lo sagrado y la búsqueda de la santidad entre la gente de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Estoy muy agradecido por el maravilloso apoyo y las oraciones que he recibido de la gente de esta diócesis durante mi formación en el seminario. Espero poder servir fielmente a la gente de esta diócesis y ayudarlos en su camino al cielo.

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez

“If some of you hear the call to follow Christ more closely, to dedicate your entire heart to Him, like the Apostles John and Paul...

be generous, do not be afraid, ...because you have nothing to fear when the prize that

Juan Miguel Sánchez Parroquia de origen: Iglesia San Francisco de Asís, Lenoir.

Lugar de nacimiento: Ixtlahuacán del Río, México.

Fecha de nacimiento: 1 de diciembre de 1984.

Criado en: Ixtlahuacán del Río y la ciudad de Guadalajara hasta los 20 años, luego se mudó a Charleston, S.C. Familiares: Padres: Ignacio Sánchez Yáñez y María García Pérez; hermanos: Rosario, Dolores, Teresa, Pedro, Jesús, Luis, Aurora, Guadalupe, Sanchez Martin, Ignacio, Leonardo, Andrés, Edith y Lizbeth.

College: Pontificia Universidad Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.

Grado: Bachiller en Humanidades y Filosofía.

Teología: Pontificia Universidad Norteamericana, Roma.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia San Eugenio, Asheville; Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Monroe; Iglesia San Juan Bautista, Tryon; e Iglesia Santa Teresa, Mooresville

Father Joseph Wasswa

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Sánchez: Me gusta el montañismo, hacer trabajos manuales, dibujar y hacer caligrafía.

También me gusta un poco de cocina y jardinería.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Sánchez: Cuando tenía como ocho años y servía como monaguillo.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Sánchez: El Padre Julio Domínguez.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Sánchez: Siempre estaré agradecido con todas las personas que hicieron posible mi sacerdocio. Gracias por estar ahí a través de su apoyo espiritual, moral y material. Espero poder servir en la Diócesis de Charlotte y crecer juntos en el amor a Dios y al prójimo. Les pido humildemente que mantengan en sus oraciones a todos los sacerdotes, en particular a aquellos que puedan estar hoy en dificultades.

you await is God Himself, for Whom, sometimes without ever knowing it, all young people are searching.”

- Saint John Paul II

Office of Vocations Diocese of Charlotte Father Christopher Gober Director of Vocations

(704) 370-3353 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 vocationsmail@charlottediocese.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Joyfully coming before the Lord Bishop Jugis ordains two men to transitional diaconate June 5 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Deacon Darren Balkey and Deacon Aaron Huber became the Diocese of Charlotte’s newest transitional deacons and took the next step on their journey to the priesthood June 5 during a two-hour diaconate ordination Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director, attested to the preparedness of the two men, who were called to stand before Bishop Jugis at the steps of the altar during the start of the ordination rite.

“Joyfully we come before the Lord today to receive the gift of two new deacons for the Church,” Bishop Jugis said during his homily. “The Lord never tires of blessing the Church of Charlotte with great candidates for holy orders. That blessing from the Lord continues today in the two men who have been chosen for ordination to the diaconate.”

Bishop Jugis pointed out that the scripture readings chosen remind them of the three-fold ministry of deacons, which is a ministry of service: the ministry of the altar, the ministry of charity, and the ministry of the Word. He described the functions and responsibilities to which the men are called.

“Our Gospel reading of St. Matthew (9:35-38) presents the compassion of Jesus – visiting all of the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. And so our new deacons, in their ministry of the Word, will continue the Church’s teaching mandate by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ at Mass and teaching the doctrine of Christ,” Bishop Jugis said.

“Diaconal ministry is a ministry of service… And you, Aaron and Darren, will have an official role in that ministry as

deacons of the Church,” he added.

Bishop Jugis also enjoined them to “give your heart to Jesus. Remain united to Jesus through your prayer every day.

And today, being the first Saturday of the month, a day on which we customarily honor the Blessed Mother, ask the Immaculate Heart to bring you close to Jesus and keep Him close to you.”

He explained that in going through the rite, they will now be changed by the action of the Holy Spirit. “The indelible spiritual character imprinted upon your soul will configure you to Jesus Christ, the Servant. He made Himself the Servant of all. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

After the homily, Balkey and Huber stood before the bishop and publicly affirmed their intentions to serve him and the Church. Then they prostrated themselves before the altar, as Bishop Jugis knelt in prayer with them and the faithful while the Litany of Supplication (also known as the Litany of the Saints) was chanted.

Balkey and Huber then arose and, one by one, approached the bishop. He laid hands on each man’s head and prayed the prayer of ordination over them, thus consecrating them as deacons.

The newly-ordained deacons were then vested with a stole, a sign of the deacon’s office of service, and the dalmatic, the outer garment used in the liturgy. Deacon Darren Balkey was vested by transitional Deacon Joseph Wasswa of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury and Deacon Aaron Huber was vested by Deacon Timothy Mueller of St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

The newly-vested deacons then again approached the sanctuary one by one, receiving the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Jugis and an acknowledgment from Bishop Jugis, who welcomed them to their new role in the Church.

The two deacons will now be able to

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above, from left) Deacon Darren Balkey, visiting Bishop Joseph Coffey, Bishop Peter Jugis and Deacon Aaron Huber are all smiles after the transitional diaconate Mass June 5 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Auxiliary Bishop Coffey, of the Archdiocese of Military Services USA, concelebrated Mass as Deacon Balkey received his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy last December. proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach at the invitation of the priest, prepare the altar for the sacrifice of the Eucharist, distribute the Lord’s Body and Blood to the faithful, administer baptisms, officiate at marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying, conduct funeral rites, instruct believers and nonbelievers in Church doctrine, preside over public prayer and perform works of charity.

Bishop Jugis told Deacons Balkey and Huber, “By your faithful service, the imitation of Christ, may you be blessed by that same Jesus saying to you on the last

Deacon Aaron Huber Home parish: St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville Birthplace: Mount Pleasant, S.C. Birthday: July 8, 1996 Raised in: Cruso, N.C. Family: Parents Eric and Tamara Huber; siblings Eric Jr., Joshua, Jessica, Sarah, Maria, Isaac, Noah and Benjamin College: St. Joseph College Huber Seminary Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy, Belmont Abbey College Theology: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati Summer assignments in the diocese: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury; Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro; St. Elizabeth Church, Boone; St. Mark Church, Huntersville; and St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Huber: Skateboarding, basketball, ultimate frisbee, literature, chess and piano CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Huber: I first heard the call to the priesthood when I was young, possibly 10 or 11 years old. I remember talking to a friend of mine about what we wanted to be when we grew up, and both of us voiced our desire to be the pope! While my aspiration for the papacy has certainly changed, the desire to serve Our Lord as His priest never left. However, my

day, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

Deacon Balkey will serve his summer assignment at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont. Deacon Huber will serve his summer assignment at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

More coverage online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Watch a video of the transitional diaconate Mass and view more photos online

Deacon Darren Balkey attention to the call was sporadic. When I was a junior in high school, I had a profound conversion experience in which I felt the deepest peace at the thought of being a priest. Finally, it was not until the summer after my freshman year at Belmont Abbey College while serving as a Totus Tuus missionary that the Lord really revealed Himself to me in such a way that I knew I had to pursue Him. CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Huber: I have been truly blessed to have had several people help me along the path of discernment. From Bishop Jugis and priests of the Diocese of Charlotte, to the monks of Belmont Abbey and priests from other dioceses, I have witnessed true holiness, charity and priestly service. In particular, I owe a debt of gratitude to the priests at St. Joseph College Seminary. From the beginning, they have guided me through my discernment, fostered the love of Christ within me, and helped me get to where I am today.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a transitional deacon here in the Diocese of Charlotte?

Huber: I am very excited to be entering the diaconate for the Diocese of Charlotte. Since I will be making promises of obedience, prayer and celibacy, my ordination day will be like one’s wedding day. On June 5, I will be committed to a life of service to God and His Church, and this knowledge fills me with immense joy.

Home parish: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury Birthplace: State College, Pa. Birthday: March 1, 1992 Raised in: State College, Pa. Family: Parents Steven and Sheryl Balkey; siblings Matthew and Balkey Seth College: Belmont Abbey College Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Pre-Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum Theology: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte; St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte; St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville; Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont CNH: What are some of your interests/ hobbies?

Balkey: Any sort of outdoor adventure – hiking, swimming, biking, climbing, paddling, etc. Also, I enjoy playing the trumpet and working with my hands in the woods or in a shop.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a

vocation to the priesthood?

Balkey: My first sense of a priestly calling was when I started serving Mass, when I was about 9 years old. It seemed natural to want to be near the Word of God and the altar during Holy Mass. Throughout the years, that desire to be near God and bring Him to others stuck around.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Balkey: Many of the priests of the Diocese of Charlotte have offered great insight and encouragement, especially my pastor, Father John Eckert.

The seminary’s faculty priests have been exemplary as well, both in Columbus and Cincinnati. Finally, Deacons Albert Beltz and Thomas Hunyor Jr., of Toledo, Ohio, have been authentic companions and mentors.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a transitional deacon here in the Diocese of Charlotte?

Balkey: The deacon is ordained to proclaim the Gospel as he is continually configured to Christ the Servant. This particular season in my vocation allows me to express my gratitude to Almighty God and the faithful for the many gifts bestowed upon me in a very tangible way. I am eager to serve.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Llegaron con gozo ante el Señor Obispo Jugis ordenó a dos hombres al diaconado transicional SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — El 5 de junio, dando un paso más en su camino hacia el sacerdocio, Darren Balkey y Aaron Huber se convirtieron en diáconos transicionales durante una Misa de ordenación en la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville.

El Padre Christopher Gober, director diocesano de vocaciones, dio testimonio de la preparación de los dos hombres, que fueron llamados ante el Obispo Jugis durante el inicio del rito de ordenación.

“Con alegría nos presentamos hoy ante el Señor para recibir el don de dos nuevos diáconos para la Iglesia”, dijo el Obispo Jugis durante su homilía. “El Señor nunca se cansa de bendecir a la Iglesia de Charlotte con grandes candidatos a las Órdenes Sagradas. Esa bendición continúa hoy en los dos hombres que han sido elegidos para la ordenación al diaconado”.

El Obispo Jugis señaló que las lecturas de las Escrituras seleccionadas recuerdan el triple ministerio de servicio de los diáconos: del altar, de la caridad y de la Palabra. Luego describió las funciones y responsabilidades a las que están llamados.

“La lectura del Evangelio de San Mateo (9: 35-38), muestra la compasión de Jesús visitando todos los pueblos y aldeas, enseñando en sus sinagogas, proclamando el Evangelio del Reino. Y así nuestros nuevos diáconos, en su ministerio de la Palabra, continuarán el mandato de enseñanza de la Iglesia al proclamar el Evangelio de Cristo en la Misa y enseñar la doctrina de Cristo”, dijo.

“El ministerio diaconal es un ministerio de servicio ... Y ustedes, Aaron y Darren, tendrán un papel oficial en ese ministerio como diáconos de la Iglesia”, agregó.

También les pidió que entreguen su corazón a Jesús. “Permanezcan unidos a Jesús a través de la oración diaria. Y hoy, siendo el primer sábado del mes,

día en el que habitualmente honramos a la Santísima Virgen, pídanle al Corazón Inmaculado que les acerque a Jesús y lo mantenga cerca de ustedes”.

Explicó que al pasar por el rito, ahora serán transformados por la acción del Espíritu Santo. “El carácter espiritual indeleble impreso en sus almas los configurará a Jesucristo, el Siervo. Se hizo Siervo de todos. No vino para ser servido, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos”.

Después de la homilía, Balkey y Huber afirmaron públicamente frente al obispo sus intenciones de servirle a él y a la Iglesia. Luego se postraron ante el altar, mientras el Obispo Jugis se arrodillaba en oración con ellos y los fieles y se coreaba la Letanía de los Santos.

Tras ello, Balkey y Huber se levantaron y, uno a uno, se acercaron al obispo que puso sus manos sobre sus cabezas, rezando la oración de ordenación sobre ellos, consagrándolos como diáconos.

Los recién ordenados fueron investidos con una estola, signo del oficio de servicio del diácono, y la dalmática, la prenda exterior utilizada en la liturgia. El Diácono Darren Balkey fue investido por el Diácono transicional Joseph Wasswa de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury, y el Diácono Aaron Huber fue investido por el Diácono Timothy Mueller de la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia.

Los diáconos recién investidos se acercaron nuevamente al santuario uno por uno, recibiendo el Libro de los Evangelios y un reconocimiento del Obispo Jugis dándoles la bienvenida en su nuevo papel en la Iglesia.

Los dos diáconos ahora podrán proclamar el Evangelio en Misa, predicar por invitación del sacerdote, preparar el altar para la Eucaristía, distribuir el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor a los fieles, administrar bautismos, oficiar matrimonios, llevar comunión a los

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Durante el rito de ordenación, los Diáconos Darren Balkey y Aaron Huber se postraron ante las gradas del Santuario durante la Letanía de las Súplicas, mientras el Obispo Jugis y la congregación oraban por los dos ordenados durante la Misa de diaconado transicional del 5 de junio en la Iglesia San Marcos. moribundos, conducir ritos funerarios, instruir a creyentes y no creyentes en la doctrina de la Iglesia, presidir la oración pública y realizar obras de caridad.

El Obispo Jugis dijo a los diáconos Balkey y Huber: “Por su servicio fiel, a imitación de Cristo, que pueda ser bendecido por el mismo Jesús que les diga en sus últimos días: ‘Bien, buen siervo y fiel, entra en el gozo de tu Señor”.

El Diácono Balkey predicó su primera Misa a las 6 de la tarde del viernes 11 de junio, fiesta del Sagrado Corazón, en la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury.

Diácono Aaron Huber Parroquia de origen: Iglesia San Juan Evangelista, Waynesville Lugar de nacimiento: Mount Pleasant, S.C. Fecha de nacimiento: 8 de Julio de 1996.

Criado en: Cruso, N.C. Familiares: Padres Eric y Tamara Huber; hermanos Eric Jr., Joshua, Jessica, Sarah, Maria, Huber Isaac, Noah y Benjamin College: St. Joseph College Seminary.

Grado: Bachiller en Filosofía, Belmont Abbey College Teología: Seminario Mount St. Mary, Cincinnati.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Greensboro; Iglesia Santa Elizabeth, Boone; Iglesia San Marcos, Huntersville; e Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte.

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Huber: Skateboarding, basketball, ultimate frisbee, leer literatura, ajedrez y piano.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Huber: Escuché por primera vez el llamado al sacerdocio cuando era niño, posiblemente de 10 u 11 años. Recuerdo haber hablado con un amigo mío sobre lo que queríamos ser cuando creciéramos, ¡y ambos expresamos nuestro deseo de ser el Papa! Si bien mi aspiración por el papado ciertamente ha cambiado, el deseo de servir a Nuestro Señor como Su sacerdote nunca se ha ido. Sin embargo,

Cumplirá su asignación de verano en la Iglesia Reina de los Apóstoles en Belmont.

El Diácono Huber predicó su primera Misa a las 9 de la mañana del domingo 6 de junio en la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia.

Cumplirá su asignación de verano en la Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino.

Más información online En catholicnewsherald.com: Vea un video de la Misa de ordenación al diaconado transicional y fotografías.

Diácono Darren Balkey mi atención al llamado fue esporádica. Cuando estaba en tercer año de secundaria, tuve una profunda experiencia de conversión en la que sentí la paz más grande al pensar en ser sacerdote. Finalmente, no fue hasta el verano, después de mi primer año en Belmont Abbey College mientras servía como misionero Totus Tuus, que el Señor realmente se me reveló de tal manera que supe que tenía que seguirlo.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Huber: He sido verdaderamente bendecido por haber tenido varias personas que me ayudaron en el camino del discernimiento. Desde el Obispo Jugis y los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte, hasta los monjes de la Abadía de Belmont y los sacerdotes de otras diócesis, he sido testigo de la verdadera santidad, caridad y servicio sacerdotal. En particular, tengo una deuda de gratitud con los sacerdotes del Seminario Universitario San José. Desde el inicio, me han guiado a través de mi discernimiento, han fomentado el amor de Cristo dentro de mí y me han ayudado a llegar a donde estoy hoy.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la diócesis?

Huber: Estoy muy emocionado de ingresar al diaconado de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Dado que haré promesas de obediencia, oración y celibato, el día de mi ordenación será como un día de bodas. El 5 de junio estaré comprometido con una vida de servicio a Dios y a su Iglesia, y ello me llena de inmensa alegría.

Parroquia de origen: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury.

Lugar de nacimiento: State College, Pa. Fecha de nacimiento: 1 de marzo de 1992 Criado en: State College, Pa. Familiares: Padres Balkey Steven y Sheryl Balkey; hermanos Matthew and Seth.

College: Belmont Abbey College.

Grado: Bachiller en Justicia Criminal.

Pre-Teología: Pontificia Universidad Josephinum.

Teología: Seminario Mount St. Mary, Cincinnati.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte; Catedral San Patricio, Charlotte; Iglesia San Juan Evangelista, Waynesville; Iglesia Reina de los Apóstoles, Belmont.

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Balkey: Todo tipo de aventura al aire libre, caminata, natación, ciclismo, escalada, canotaje, etc. También disfruto de tocar la trompeta y el trabajo manual con madera o mecánica.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Balkey: Mi primer llamado sacerdotal fue

cuando comencé a servir en Misa, cuando tenía unos 9 años. Me parecía natural querer estar cerca de la Palabra de Dios y el altar durante la Santa Misa. A lo largo de los años, ese deseo de estar cerca de Dios y llevarlo a los demás se mantuvo.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Balkey: Muchos de los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte han ofrecido una gran comprensión y aliento, especialmente mi pastor, el Padre John Eckert.

Los sacerdotes de la facultad del seminario también han mi ejemplo, tanto en Columbus como en Cincinnati.

Finalmente, los diáconos Albert Beltz y Thomas Hunyor Jr., de Toledo, Ohio, han sido auténticos compañeros y mentores.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la diócesis?

Balkey: El diácono se ordena para proclamar el Evangelio mientras se configura continuamente con Cristo el Siervo. Esta temporada particular de mi vocación me permite expresar mi gratitud a Dios Todopoderoso y a los fieles por los muchos dones que se me han otorgado de una manera muy tangible. Estoy ansioso por servir.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Seminarian summer assignments CHARLOTTE — Sixteen Diocese of Charlotte seminarians have been assigned to work at parishes this summer, the diocese’s Vocations Office has announced. They will serve from June 2 to Aug. 8.

Seminarians and their assignments are: n Angermeyer, Christopher: St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville n Balkey, Deacon Darren: Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont n Bauman, Robert: St. Ann Church in Charlotte n Brock, Christopher: Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro n del Cid Lucero, Anthony: St. Mark Church in Huntersville n Dimock Jr., Matthew: St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia n Huber, Deacon Aaron: St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte n Martin, Luke: Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury n Martinez, Kevin: Holy Cross Church in Kernersville n Nnebe-Agumadu, Chinonso: St. Therese Church in Mooresville n Palma Torres, José: St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte n Rusciolelli, Peter: St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon n Sifuentes, Noé: St. Ann Church in Charlotte n Suttle, Elliott: St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson n Tran, Kevin: St. Therese Church in Mooresville n Tweed, James: St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa

Support our seminarians’ education and priests’ retirement Our seminarians’ education is possible thanks to the generosity of parishioners who give to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, through a Seminarian Education second collection in November and a Seminarian Education second collection on Easter Sunday, distributions from seminarian endowments in the diocesan foundation, and those who contribute gifts to the Seminarian Education Campaign.

Twenty-two endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte totaling $5.2 million are designated for seminarian education: n The Msgr. Thomas Burke Seminarian Endowment Fund n Beatrice A. Chase Fund n The Conklin Endowment Fund n The A. Loraine Cox and C. Richard Cox Seminarians Education Endowment Fund n Doris & Walter Dietrich Endowment Fund n The Mr. A Steven and Dr. Donna S. Ellington Endowment Fund (benefitting St. Joseph College seminarians) n The Fabrey Endowment Fund n FFHL - Seminarian n Dick Kelly Fund n Seminarian Michael G. Kitson Memorial Endowment Fund n The Lee Endowment Fund n William Rabil and Rosalie Fund n The Reverend Timothy S. Reid Endowment Fund n Eugene & Carmen Rossitch Seminarian Fund n The Matthew Scheible Endowment Fund n Dr. Marvin L. Schrum and Paula B. Schrum Education Endowment Fund n The Seminarians Education Endowment Fund n The Abdou J. and Edna S. Showfety Seminarian Endowment Fund n Stephen D. Showfety Endowment Fund n The St. Lawrence Council (#1695) RSVP Endowment Fund n St. Lucien Seminarian Scholarship Fund n The Valentine Family Seminarian Education Endowment Fund For information about making a gift to support seminarian education, contact Jim Kelley, director of development, at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@charlottediocese.org.

Each September, people have the opportunity to celebrate the faithful service of our retired diocesan priests, as well as show gratitude to the priests currently serving in the diocese, by contributing to the Priests’ Retirement and Benefits second collection. This year each parish is assessed 2.5 percent of its annual offertory collection to raise the funds needed to support priests’ retirement and benefits. The second collection helps the parishes pay this assessment. Three endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte are also designated for priests’ retirement.

For information on establishing endowments for seminarian education or priests’ retirement, contact Kelley at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@charlottediocese.org.

— Catholic News Herald

Father Larry Heiney is retiring this month after 46 years of priestly ministry.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pastor of Holy Angels Church to retire SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MOUNT AIRY — Parishioners of Holy Angels Church will say goodbye to Father Larry Heiney, their pastor of nine years, when he retires at the end of June. Father Heiney celebrated 46 years of priestly ministry last April.

He is a native of Harrisburg, Pa., who grew up Catholic and entered a minor seminary in high school run by the Sulpician Fathers and located at St. Charles College in Baltimore, Md. He completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary in Saint Meinrad, Ind., which was run by the Benedictines.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg on April 26, 1975, by Bishop Joseph T. Daley.

In his retirement interview with the Catholic News Herald, Father Larry, as he prefers to be called, shares that he went into the minor seminary after seeing two other friends enter the previous year.

“I saw the others (who had gone a year before) and I thought I wanted to be a priest,” he recalls.

Father Larry completed his priestly studies at the Benedictine seminary but says he never felt drawn to monastic life.

Now an avid researcher in the area of genealogy, he loved how the Benedictine theology was presented all through a historical prism. “I love history and love telling history,” he says.

Father Larry served as a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg for 20 years before coming to the Diocese of Charlotte in 1995.

Initially, he served at St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon for three years before becoming incardinated into the Charlotte diocese in 1998.

Since then he has served at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia, Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle, St. Benedict Church in Winston-Salem and Good Shepherd Mission in King before becoming pastor of Holy Angels Church. He recently oversaw the parish’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

Father Larry says that to him, the most important aspect of his priesthood has been pastoring his flock.

“My philosophy is always to be

involved with people, to try to have events with them,” he explains. “I have always been promoting the liturgy and the Ordinary Form of worship of the Church, and how it works in each person’s life.”

What has he enjoyed the most over his 46 years of priestly ministry?

“It’s always been the people,” he notes. “As a parish priest I think, ‘How can I move people to be closer to God, to open the people to the liturgy?’”

He says that his homilies, which are also translated into Spanish, are “the breaking open of the Word of God that is proclaimed in that circumstance… so that everything is more of a meditation on the Scriptures.”

Father Larry plans to spend more time on his beloved genealogy research in his retirement, attend genealogy workshops and travel to visit family.

He will reside at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point where he can concelebrate daily Mass with the other priests in residence.

“Now I’m ending up at a Catholic retirement home, I am really going to be a lifer!” he jokes.

Father Shea says goodbye to St. Peter Parish CHARLOTTE — Jesuit Father James Shea left St. Peter Church in Charlotte last week after six years as pastor. He will take up a new assignment with his religious order at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “This parish has grown a great deal in the last years,” Father Shea said in a special video message to parishioners posted to the parish’s Facebook page. “We’ve grown in numbers, but more importantly, I think, we’ve grown in depth.

“So many more people have learned to go deeper in prayer. We’ve taken advantage of our Jesuit heritage in important ways – both in terms of experience of God in prayer and of a faith that does justice. I’m very grateful.”

Barbara Gaddy, lead sacristan at the parish, thanked Father Shea on behalf of the people involved in the parish’s ministries for his leadership and the speakers he brought in to explore and better understand the liturgy and the faith.

“Thank you from the depths my heart for the ways that you called us to go deeper. And you did that from the very first time you spoke here, and it was always a challenge for us to go deeper,” Gaddy said. “Your homilies will be sorely missed.”

Watch Father Shea’s farewell message online at www. fb.watch/5U-nyhVP6M.

PHOTO VIA ST. PETER CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE

St. Peter parishioners in Charlotte said goodbye to Jesuit Father James Shea last week after he served six years as pastor. He will take up a new assignment with his religious order at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘My mother is my inspiration for my vocation’ Father Mariasoosai celebrates 40 years of priestly ministry EDEN – Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai, pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church, marked 40 years of priestly ministry on May 10. He recently shared some insights with the Catholic News Herald on his life growing up in India and how his vocation came to be and evolved over the past four decades.

the college of consultors to the bishop, serving as vicar forane for 19 parishes, and serving as a member of the Diocesan Education Board for all schools in the Archdiocese of Madurai. I was so happily exercising my priestly office in these various areas for 19 years. Then I went to Jamaica for three years to explore pastoral experiences outside of my country. Everything in my life was done

by God. Then I came to North Carolina and was sent to serve in Eden, in the Diocese of Charlotte, on June 6, 2003.

Then I was appointed administrator to Our Lady of the Angels Mission in Marion, on Sept. 18, 2003; then to Christ the King Church in High Point, and now

CNH: Were you born a cradle Catholic?

Father Mariasoosai: I was born in a Catholic family, surrounded by Catholic people in a town in India.

CNH: Can you tell us about your vocation?

Father Mariasoosai: My mother was my inspiration (in my vocation). My mother was a woman of great faith and service, a model of sanctity and sacrifice, and understanding, caring and loving. She was good consoler for whoever needed it.

Her key words for me were: “Look with your eyes, and do with your hands with faith.” She was daily attending community evening prayer services in my hometown’s church. Sometimes she used to teach the little children how to pray the rosary, how to adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist when the priest lifts up the consecrated Host and Blood, how to serve the Church, and how to help the priest, and the poor, so on and so forth.

Her lifestyle inspired me so strongly in order to become a man of faith. She was not only teaching me all the spiritual exercises, but also observing me if I was doing them correctly. She asked me to pray with her every day immediately after the church community’s evening prayer.

I was growing under the care, love and protection of my mother, and she spiritually nourished me in every aspect.

I was also growing physically, spiritually and mentally in a Catholic family atmosphere. At the age of 13, one seminarian named Peter, who lived in my hometown, came to my house and was talking with my mother, and pointing his finger towards me asking her to send me to priesthood formation.

During their conversation, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit pushing me and taking me to our prayer room inside of the house. I recited prayers including the Memorare, and I felt full of joy in front of our prayer room’s religious images.

CNH: Where did you go to seminary and where were you ordained?

Father Mariasoosai: During my seminary formation I earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Madurai, India, and I got a bachelor’s degree in theology at St. Paul’s Seminary in Trichy, India. I was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Madurai, India, by Archbishop Justin Diraviam on May 10, 1981.

CNH: Where have you served over the past 40 years?

Father Mariasoosai: I was happily exercising my priestly ministry for the Archdiocese of Madurai, serving as pastor in various parishes, serving in

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‘Mi madre es la inspiración de mi vocación’ El Padre Mariasoosai celebra 40 años de ministerio sacerdotal EDEN – El Padre Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai, pastor de la Iglesia San José de las Colinas, cumplió 40 años de ministerio sacerdotal el 10 de mayo. Recientemente compartió algunos pensamientos con Catholic News Herald sobre su vida al crecer en la India y cómo surgió y Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai celebrated 40 years of priestly ministry May 10. He is pictured with some distant relatives – a couple visiting from India, their daughter and grandson who live in Greensboro and who attended his anniversary Mass.

El Padre Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai celebró 40 años de ministerio sacerdotal el 10 de mayo. En la gráfica aparece con algunos parientes lejanos, una pareja de visita de la India, su hija y su nieta, que viven en Greensboro, y que asistieron a la misa de aniversario.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FATHER GNANAPRAGASAM MARIASOOSAI

I am pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church in Eden.

evolucionó su vocación en las últimas cuatro décadas.

CNH: What do you enjoy most about your priestly ministry?

Father Mariasoosai: I was and I am so happy that God called me to be one of His instruments to carry out His mission on earth. I was and I am so happy to serve the People of God for 40 years. I am also so happy to see the sanctifying and healing power of God working through my hands to the People of God every day of my life.

In particular, when I was serving in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Kingston, Jamaica, I could feel and experience outwardly the power of the Holy Spirit passing through me to the people who were coming to me for blessings after the healing Mass.

When I was hearing confessions in our diocesan Eucharistic Congress, I was so happy to hear from people saying that they were very happy, felt healed, and very peaceful after their confession to me. I am very happy to be an instrument of God for the people by exercising my priestly ministries entrusted to my care.

Every day I say Mass with deep devotion and feeling inside of me that this is my last Mass. I am very grateful to God always for His wondrous blessings, and covering me with His mysterious power.

May God bless me and bless all priests in the Diocese of Charlotte.

CNH: ¿Es católico de nacimiento?

Padre Mariasoosai: Nací en una familia católica, rodeado de gente católica en un pueblo de la India.

CNH: ¿Qué nos puede decir de su vocación?

Padre Mariasoosai: Mi madre fue mi inspiración (en mi vocación). Mi madre era una mujer de gran fe y servicio, un modelo de santidad, sacrificio, comprensión, cariño y amor. Daba un buen consuelo a quien lo necesitaba.

Sus palabras clave para mí fueron: “Mira con tus ojos y haz con tus manos con fe”.

Ella asistía todos los días a los servicios comunitarios de oración vespertina en la iglesia de mi ciudad natal. A veces enseñaba a los niños pequeños a rezar el rosario, a adorar a Jesucristo en la Eucaristía cuando el sacerdote levanta la Hostia y la Sangre consagradas, cómo servir a la Iglesia y cómo ayudar al sacerdote y a los pobres, entre otras muchas cosas.

Su estilo de vida me inspiró mucho para convertirme en un hombre de fe. Ella no solo me enseñaba los ejercicios espirituales, sino también observaba si lo hacía correctamente.

Me pedía que orara con ella todos los días, inmediatamente después de la oración vespertina de la comunidad de la iglesia.

Crecí bajo el cuidado, amor y protección de mi madre. Ella me nutría

espiritualmente en todos los aspectos.

También estaba creciendo física, espiritual y mentalmente en un ambiente familiar católico. A los 13 años, un seminarista llamado Peter, que vivía en mi ciudad natal, vino a casa, habló con mi madre, y me señaló con el dedo pidiéndole que me enviara a la formación sacerdotal.

Durante su conversación, sentí el poder del Espíritu Santo empujándome y llevándome a nuestra sala de oración dentro de la casa. Recité las oraciones Alma de Cristo y Recuérdanos, Santísima Madre de Dios, y me llené de alegría frente a cuadros religiosos.

CNH: ¿A qué seminario asistió y dónde fue ordenado?

Padre Mariasoosai: Durante mi formación en el seminario obtuve un bachillerato en filosofía en la Universidad de Madurai, India, y una licenciatura en teología en San Pablo, Trichy, India. El Arzobispo Justin Diraviam me ordenó sacerdote para la Arquidiócesis de Madurai, India, el 10 de mayo de 1981.

CNH: ¿Dónde ha servido durante los últimos 40 años?

Padre Mariasoosai: He ejercido felizmente mi ministerio sacerdotal para la Arquidiócesis de Madurai, sirviendo como pastor en varias parroquias, en el colegio de consultores del obispo, como vicario para 19 parroquias, como miembro de la Junta de Educación Diocesana para las escuelas de la Arquidiócesis de Madurai.

Estuve tan felizmente ejerciendo mi oficio sacerdotal en estas diversas áreas durante 19 años. Luego fui a Jamaica por tres años para explorar experiencias pastorales fuera de mi país. Todo en mi vida fue hecho por Dios. Luego vine a Carolina del Norte y fui enviado a servir en Eden, en la Diócesis de Charlotte, el 6 de junio de 2003. Luego fui nombrado administrador de la Misión Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles en Marion, el 18 de septiembre de 2003; luego asignado a la Iglesia Cristo Rey, en High Point; y ahora soy pastor de la Iglesia San José de las Colinas en Eden.

CNH: ¿Qué es lo que más disfruta de su ministerio sacerdotal?

Padre Mariasoosai: Estaba y estoy muy feliz de que Dios me haya llamado a ser uno de sus instrumentos para llevar a cabo su misión en la Tierra. Estaba y estoy muy feliz de servir al Pueblo de Dios durante 40 años. Estoy muy feliz de ver el poder santificador y sanador de Dios obrando a través de mis manos para el Pueblo de Dios todos los días de mi vida.

Particularmente, cuando estaba sirviendo en la Iglesia San Pedro y San Pablo en Kingston, Jamaica, pude sentir y experimentar externamente el poder del Espíritu Santo pasando a través mío a las personas que venían en busca de bendiciones después de una Misa de sanación.

Cuando escuchaba confesiones en nuestro Congreso Eucarístico Diocesano, estaba muy feliz de oír decir a la gente que estaban muy felices, se sentían curados y muy en paz después de confesarse conmigo. Estoy muy contento de ser un instrumento de Dios para el pueblo ejerciendo mis ministerios sacerdotales encomendados a mi cuidado.

Todos los días digo Misa con profunda devoción, sintiendo dentro de mí que esta es mi última Misa. Siempre estoy muy agradecido a Dios por Sus maravillosas bendiciones, y por cubrirme con Su misterioso poder. Que Dios me bendiga y bendiga a todos los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

10B iiJune 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC N

Celebrating our Priests

10 YEARS

15 YEARS

Father Joshua Voitus

Father James Stuhrenberg Father Alejandro Ayala

5 YEARS Father Cory Catron Father David McCanless

30 YEARS

35 YEARS

40 YEARS

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio

Father Fabio de Jesus Marín Morales, CSsR

Father Francis Cancro Father José Antonio Juya Father James Byer Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai Father Carl DelGiudice Father John Michalowski, SJ

10 YEARS

Deacons

Deacon W. Dave Powers Deacon Enedino S. Aquino Deacon Daren S. Bitter Deacon Michael Martini Deacon David S. Reiser Deacon Martin Ricart III Deacon William H. Wilson

25 YEARS

30 YEARS

35 YEARS

Deacon Lawrence P. O’Toole

Deacon Paul A. Liotard

Deacon Jeffrey S. Evers Deacon H. Paul Herman Deacon Darío García Ospina

20 Y

Father Adri Father Christop Father James D Father T Father Rob Father

NEWS HERALD

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

11B

2021 Jubilarians

YEARS

25 YEARS

rian Porras pher Roux Duc Duong Tien Duong bert Ferris Kurt Fohn

Father Fidel Melo Father Innocent C. Amasiorah

45 YEARS

60 YEARS

Father John D. Hoover

Father James Cahill Father Joseph Ayathupadam

15 YEARS Deacon Lee T. Levenson Deacon John Szarek Deacon James L. Atkinson Deacon David P. Boissey Sr. Deacon Mark S. Diener Deacon Walter J. Haarsgaard Deacon Edward A. Konarski

Deacon John T. Kopfle Deacon Larry G. Lisk Deacon John A. Martino Deacon Brian P. McNulty Deacon Robert T. Murphy Deacon A. Stephen Pickett Deacon Kevin B. Williams

20 YEARS Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan Deacon Pierre M. K’Briuh Deacon David E. King Deacon R. Alexander Lyerly Deacon James J. Mazur Deacon Mark D. Nash Deacon Michael J. Zboyovski

40 YEARS

Women religious

25 YEARS

Sister Joann Ury, RSM

55 YEARS

Sister Bernadette McNamara, RSM

60 YEARS

Sister Mary Charles Cameron, RSM

Deacon Clarke E. Cochran

50 YEARS

Sister Carolyn McWatters, RSM Sister Acquina Pinnakatt, MOC

70 YEARS

Sister Janis McQuade, SSJ

Sister Ann Marie Wilson, RSM Sister Paula Diann Marlin, RSM

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 12B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Juya marks 40th anniversary GASTONIA — Father José Antonio Juya Vargas is celebrating his 40th anniversary of ordination this year.

He was born in Rondón, Boyacá, a cattleraising and coffee-growing area in eastern Colombia, on July 15, 1952.

He was named after two saints: one also his father’s name, José Estanislao Juya, and the other in honor of the devotion of his mother, Doña Briceida Vargas, to St. Anthony.

His Catholic faith was deepened thanks to the example of his mother, a leader of the Daughters of Mary and the Legion of Mary.

“At home we never talked about the priesthood,” Father Juya recalls. “At that time, in my town, only wealthy people became priests because the seminary cost a lot and was out of our reach.”

When he was in the fourth grade, priests of the Somascan Fathers from Italy approached him and his friends, handing out flyers that talked about priestly vocations. “I took that flyer home and my mom kept it,” he recalls.

When he finished primary school at the age of 13, his parents decided that the Somascans’ offer was an opportunity that should not be wasted. “They packed the bags for me and my brother Filemón Arsenio Juya Vargas, and we went to Bogotá to study high school with them.”

They finished high school at Colegio Calasanz in Bogotá, then they completed their novitiate in Central America. After returning to Bogotá, the Juya brothers took temporary vows, and thanks to Archbishop Augusto Trujillo Arango from Tunja, Boyacá, they became diocesan seminarians and entered the Archdiocesan Regional Major Seminary in Tunja. There Father Juya studied four years of philosophy and another four years of theology.

On Dec. 12, 1981, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, José and his brother Filemón were ordained priests by Monsignor Juan Eliseo Mojíca Oliveros at St. Raphael Church in Rondón.

After receiving holy orders, thanks to his training in philosophy, psychology and education at Santo Tomás and La Sabana universities, Father Juya was assigned to the Cathedral of Garagoa to serve with youth ministry. Later, he was assigned to an armed conflict zone where he met a Scalabrinian Missionaries priest, member of a religious order that works with migrants, who suggested he serve at a foreign mission.

His brother Filemón was the first to go on mission – moving to Ontario, Canada. But soon Father Juya followed in his brother’s footsteps. Both studied at the University of

Waterloo in Ontario and traveled together to GASTONIA — El Padre José Antonio Rome for a pastoral course.

Juya Vargas nació en Rondón, Boyacá, Later, Father Filemón was called to zona oriental ganadera y cafetera de service in South Carolina, and Father Juya Colombia, el 15 de julio de 1952. again followed him for a short time. “It Su nombre responde a dos santos, el del was the year 2000, and there I met Father nombre de su padre, José Estanislao Juya, Vincent Finnerty, then in charge of Hispanic y el otro por la devoción a San Antonio de Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, who su madre, doña Briceida Vargas. brought me to the Vicariate of Gastonia. ‘I’m Recibió una formación católica sencilla going to give you the easiest one,’ he told y vio el ejemplo de su madre que fue una me,” Father Juya recalls with a smile. lideresa de las Hijas de María y la Legión The Juya brothers remained united and de María. close to each “En mi casa other until Father nunca nos Filemón’s death, hablaron del on June 30, 2011, sacerdocio. in Columbia, S.C. Por esa época, “He died in my en mi pueblo, arms,” Father solo la gente Juya notes with adinerada sadness. llegaba a ser Besides his sacerdote, el current service seminario as Hispanic costaba Ministry mucho y era coordinator inalcanzable”. at St. Michael Cuando Church in CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD cursaba el Gastonia, Father cuarto año Born in Rondón, Boyacá, the coffee land of Colombia, Father Juya has also de primaria, José Antonio Juya and his brother Filemón both became priests. served in Forest sacerdotes de Starting in Colombia, and later in Canada and then in the City, Shelby, la orden de Carolinas, the Juya brothers remained always united until Father Lincolnton and los Somascos Filemón’s death in 2011. “He died in my arms,” Father José Juya Belmont. procedentes sadly recalls.

He enjoys de Italia se his pastoral acercaron Nacido en Rondón, Boyacá, tierra cafetera de Colombia, el Padre work. “I love a José y sus José Antonio Juya y su hermano Filemón siguieron el camino del my profession amiguitos. Les sacerdocio juntos. Inicialmente en Colombia, y luego en Canadá y as a priest and entregaron las Carolinas, los hermanos Juya permanecieron siempre unidos my mission is volantes que hasta el fallecimiento del Padre Filemón, el 30 de junio de 2011 en to train leaders, hablaban Columbia, Carolina del Sur. “Falleció en mis brazos”, recordó el people who sobre las Padre José Juya con tristeza. feel part of the vocaciones Church,” he says. sacerdotales. “Yo llevé a casa ese volante y He has relied on his travels and life mi mamá se lo quedó”, dijo. experiences to relate to others in his priestly A los 13 años de edad, ya a punto ministry. de concluir los estudios primarios, In his youth he was a basketball, tennis sus padres decidieron que la oferta and ping-pong player. He enjoys horseback de los sacerdotes Somascos era riding and also has been – this may surprise una oportunidad que no se podía you – a bullfighter. desperdiciar. “Nos hicieron las maletas To those who want to become priests, a mi y a mi hermano, Filemón Arsenio Father Juya advises, “Study the human Juya Vargas, y nos fuimos a Bogotá a sciences above all, because the Gospel is estudiar el bachillerato con ellos”. embodied in what life itself is.”

Concluyeron los estudios en el Colegio “The priest must be accompanied, not seen Calasanz en Bogotá, luego hicieron only as an administrator, but as a brother. el noviciado en Centroamérica. Tras He also feels pain, illness, joy, he has plans. I regresar a Bogotá, los hermanos Juya thank the people, especially the poorest, who tomaron los votos temporales, y gracias are always looking out for one another.” al Arzobispo Augusto Trujillo Arango

St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church Lenoir, NC

Congratulations to Fr. Juan Miguel Sanchez on his ordination to the Priesthood Deacon Stephen Pickett on the 15th anniversary of his ordination God bless them in their ministry!

El P. Juya celebra su 40 aniversario de Tunja, pasaron a ser diocesanos e ingresaron al Seminario Mayor Regional Arquidiocesano en Tunja, Boyacá. Ahí el Padre José Juya estudió cuatro años de Filosofía y otros cuatro de Teología.

El 12 de diciembre de 1981, fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, José Antonio Juya Vargas, junto a su hermano Filemón, fueron ordenados sacerdotes por Monseñor Juan Eliseo Mojíca Oliveros en la Iglesia San Rafael en Rondón.

Tras recibir el Orden Sagrado, gracias a su formación en filosofía, psicología y educación en las universidades Santo Tomás​​​​y La Sabana, fue asignado a la Catedral de Garagoa para servir con las juventudes. Después, fue enviado a una zona de conflicto armado donde conoció un sacerdote Scalabriano, misioneros que trabajan con migrantes, quien le sugirió se desplace a una misión fuera del país.

Su hermano Filemón se trasladó a Waterloo, Ontario, Canadá. Luego el Padre José Antonio Juya le seguiría los pasos.

Ambos estudiaron en la Universidad de Waterloo y viajaron juntos a Roma para realizar un curso de Pastoral.

Después el Padre Filemón fue llamado al servicio en Carolina del Sur, a donde el Padre José Antonio lo seguiría por breve tiempo. “Era el año 2000, y ahí conocí al Padre Vicente Finnerty, en ese entonces a cargo de la Pastoral Hispana en la Diócesis de Charlotte, quien me trajo a la Vicaría de Gastonia. ‘Le voy a dar la más fácil’, me dijo”, recuerda el Padre José Antonio sonriendo.

Como vicario en la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia, ha servido también en misiones en Forest City, Shelby, Lincolnton y Belmont.

Disfruta especialmente del trabajo pastoral. “Amo mi profesión de sacerdote y mi misión es formar líderes, gente que se sienta partícipe de la Iglesia”, afirma.

En su juventud fue jugador de baloncesto, tenis y tenis de mesa. Disfruta de montar a caballo y ha sido, algo que lo sorprenderá, torero de potreros.

A quienes desean convertirse en sacerdotes les diría que “estudien sobre todo ciencias humanas porque el Evangelio viene encarnado en lo que es la vida misma”.

“Al sacerdote hay que acompañarlo, no verlo solo como un administrador, sino como un hermano. También siente dolor, enfermedad, alegría, tiene sus ilusiones.

Agradezco a la gente, sobre todo a la más pobre que siempre está pendiente de uno”, finalizó.

St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte congratulates Deacon Mark Diener on the 15th anniversary of his ordination.

May God continue to bless you in your ministry!

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Father Marín gives thanks to God for priestly vocation KANNAPOLIS — Redemptorist Father Fabio Marín Morales celebrated his 35th anniversary of ordination June 13. During the Mass at his parish, St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis, he gave thanks to God for “these 35 years He has led me by His hand.”

Father Marín was born in Neira, Caldas, Colombia, on Oct. 3, 1959. He is the youngest of three children of Juan de Jesús Marín and Margarita Morales. His family has a deep Catholic faith, and he was baptized on Oct. 10, 1959, confirmed at the age of 3, and celebrated his first Holy Communion on Aug. 14, 1966.

From an early age he was inclined to the priestly life, but during his teenage years the idea disappeared from his mind. However, the call to the priesthood returned in a strong way when he graduated from high school.

On Jan. 6, 1980, he professed vows with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer of the Redemptorist Missionaries. He studied philosophy at the Center for Pastoral and Philosophy in Bogotá, Colombia, and theology at the International Redemptorist Seminary of Mexico and at the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. He had postgraduate studies in spiritual theology at the Teresianum in Rome.

On June 13, 1986, at the Redemptorist Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Manizales, Colombia, he was ordinated to the priesthood by Bishop Bernardo Arango Henao, S.J. Father Marín has served as a vocations promoter in central and northern Colombia; pastor at St. Alfonso Maria de Liguorio Parish in Bogota; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Popayán, Cauca; vicar for consecrated life and institutes of apostolic life for the Archdiocese of Popayán, Colombia; director of the Villa Marianella House of Spiritual Exercises in Chinauta, Cundinamarca, Colombia; administrator of San Alfonso University Foundation; and now in the United States serving in Hispanic Ministry and serving as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis.

“Every day I feel more and more grateful to God for having called me to the priestly ministry. Despite my fragile humanity, the Lord has sustained me during all these years so that I may continue to accompany, on the way to salvation, the portion of the

people where He Himself has placed me,” Father Marín says.

“It amazes me to see the constancy and generosity of so many people in maintaining their religious principles, to see so many people full of God, who with their lives bear witness to the presence and

El padre Marín da gracias a Dios por su vocación sacerdotal KANNAPOLIS — El padre redentorista Fabio Marín Morales celebró su 35 aniversario de ordenación el 13 de junio.

Durante la Misa en su parroquia, la iglesia San José en Kannapolis, dio gracias a Dios por “estos 35 años que me ha llevado de la mano”.

Father Fabio Marín Morales was ordained in his native Colombia, where he received numerous important assignments.

He is currently pastor of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis and also serves at nearby St. James the Greater Church in Concord.

“With each passing day I am more and more grateful to God for having called me to the priestly ministry,” he says.

El Padre Fabio Marín Morales se ordenó en su natal Colombia, donde recibió numerosas importantes asignaciones.

Actualmente es pastor de la parroquia San José en Kannapolis y sacerdote en la Iglesia Santiago el Grande en Concord. “Cada día que pasa estoy más y más agradecido con Dios de haberme llamado al ministerio sacerdotal”, aseguró.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

love of the Lord,” despite all the challenges of recent times, he adds.

“The apostolic work has put me in contact with the harsh reality of each day, with a world that sometimes seems thirsty for God and sometimes forgets Him,” he says. “It has led me to fully enjoy my dedication to the Lord. This is where I find the greatest meaning in my priestly life.

Despite the constant sufferings of the world today, the human being remains hopeful, full of faith.”

K of C Queen of the Apostles Council #11076

Deacon Chip Wilson

offers congratulations to our Brother Deacon Chip Wilson on the 10th anniversary of his ordination

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Nació en Neira, Caldas, Colombia, el 3 de octubre de 1959. Es el último de los tres hijos de Juan de Jesús Marín y Margarita Morales. De familia con profundas raíces católicas, fue bautizado el 10 de octubre, confirmado a los tres años y celebró su Primera Comunión el 14 de agosto de 1966.

Desde muy temprana edad tuvo inclinación a la vida sacerdotal, pero durante su adolescencia la idea desapareció de su mente, retornando con fuerza cuando concluía sus estudios

secundarios.

El 6 de enero de 1980 profesó en la Congregación del Santísimo Redentor de los Misioneros Redentoristas. Estudió filosofía en el Centro de Pastoral y Filosofía de Bogotá, y teología en el Seminario Internacional Redentorista de México y en la Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá. Realizó estudios de especialización en Teología Espiritual en el Teresianum de Roma.

El 13 de junio de 1986, en la parroquia Redentorista Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Manizales, Colombia, recibió la ordenación sacerdotal de manos de Mons.

Bernardo Arango Henao SJ. Se ha desempeñado como Promotor Vocacional en el centro y norte de Colombia, párroco en San Alfonso María de Liguorio en Bogotá, Nuestra Sra. del Perpetuo Socorro en Popayán, Cauca, Vicario para la vida Consagrada e institutos de vida apostólica en la Arquidiócesis de Popayán, Director de la casa de Ejercicios de Villa Marianella en Chinauta, Cundinamarca, Administrador de la Fundación Universitaria San Alfonso, y en Estados Unidos en la pastoral Hispana, ahora como párroco en San José en Kannapolis.

“Cada día que pasa estoy más y más agradecido con Dios de haberme llamado al ministerio sacerdotal. A pesar de mi frágil humanidad, el Señor me ha sostenido durante todos estos años para que siga acompañando, en el camino a la salvación, a la porción del pueblo en donde Él mismo me ha colocado”.

El Padre Fabio afirma que “le maravilla el ver la constancia y la generosidad de tanta gente al mantener sus principios religiosos a flor de piel, ver tanta gente llena de Dios que con su vida da testimonio de la presencia y amor del Señor”, pese a todos los cambios que han sucedido en los últimos tiempos.

“Este hecho me ha llevado a disfrutar ampliamente mi entrega al Señor, aquí es donde encuentro el mayor sentido de mi vida sacerdotal. A pesar de los constantes sufrimientos del mundo de hoy, el ser humano sigue esperanzado lleno de fe.

El trabajo apostólico me ha puesto en contacto con la dura realidad de cada día, con un mundo que a veces parece sediento de Dios y a veces se olvida de él”, puntualizó.

God Bless You! Deacon John Kopfle

The Staff and Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul want to congratulate you on your 15 years in the Diaconate.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 14B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Prayer for Deacons to Mary

In Memoriam

0 loving Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Deacons, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their diaconal ordination to serve in the person of Jesus in a world that needs them so much.

MARY Teacher of faith, who by your obedience to the Word of God have cooperated in a remarkable way with the work of redemption, make the ministry of deacons effective by teaching them to hear the Word and to proclaim it faithfully.

MARY Teacher of charity, who by your total openness to God’s call have cooperated in bringing to birth all the Church’s faithful, make the ministry and the life of deacons fruitful by teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the People of God. MARY Teacher of prayer, who through your maternal intercession have supported and helped the Church from her beginnings, make deacons always attentive to the needs of the faithful by teaching them to come to know the value of prayer.

MARY Teacher of humility, who by constantly knowing yourself to be the servant of the Lord were filled with the Holy Spirit, make deacons docile instruments in Christ’s work of redemption by Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace teaching them the greatness of being the least of all.

MARY Teacher of that service which is hidden, who by your everyday and ordinary life filled with love, knew how to cooperate with the salvific plan of God in an exemplary fashion, make deacons good and faithful servants by teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.

Amen.

During the Annual Deacons and Wives Retreat, the Saturday morning Mass provides a special time. It is when the deacon community celebrates the lives of the deceased deacons and wives who have faithfully served the Diocese of Charlotte. During the Prayers of the Faithful, each name is read reflecting the memories of their lives as servants of Christ and His Church:

— Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons

Mrs. Annie Mae Manning 06-13-1982 Mrs. Jean Smith 09-21-1987 Deacon Leonard Pliska 12-04-1990 Deacon Canio Codella 06-25-1991 Deacon John Doyle 05-16-1992 Mrs. Joann Chirico 09-09-1993 Mrs. Mary Codella 02-23-1995 Deacon Joseph Weckbach 12-04-1995 Deacon John Gallen 10-26-1996 Mrs. Ann Forester 01-01-1998 Mrs. Doris Pliska 06-11-1998 Mrs. Christine Doyle 12-13-1998 Mrs. Mary Ellen Schumacher 06-07-1999 Mrs. Margaret Morovich 04-07-2000 Deacon Josef Vandermeer 05-19-2000 Deacon Edward Morovich 06-01-2000 Deacon Frederick Dobens 08-24-2000 Mrs. Diane O’Madigan 03-22-2001 Mrs. Lorraine LaPointe 05-23-2001 Deacon Joseph Garavaglia 02-25-2002 Deacon Albert Renuart 09-24-2002 Mrs. Christine Gillis 06-17-2003 Mrs. Irene Fadero 08-15-2005 Deacon Frank Aversa 10-02-2005 Deacon Richard Kauth 12-15-2005 Deacon Patrick Vallandingham 07-06-2006

Mrs. Virginia Schumacher 09-09-2006 Mrs. Emily Kak 11-09-2006 Deacon George McMahon 02-15-2007 Mrs. Helen Mack 02-21-2007 Mrs. Muchie Dobens 11-05-2008 Mrs. Mary Gallen 10-05-2009 Deacon J. Daniel Carl 02-12-2010 Deacon Louis Rinkus 02-17-2010 Mrs. Lavone Knight 05-12-2010 Deacon Hugo May 06-23-2010 Deacon Gerard Schumacher 12-01-2010 Deacon Nicholas Fadero 02-10-2011 Deacon Franklin Manning 02-13-2011 Mrs. Doris Gettelfinger 04-04-2011 Deacon Gerald Hickey 06-06-2011 Mrs. Mary Rinkus 08-10-2011 Deacon John Burke 02-29-2012 Deacon Edwin Rodriguez 07-01-2012 Deacon Joseph Smith 08-28-2012 Deacon Paul Teich 03-13-2013 Mrs. Bertha (Bert) Dotson 05-06-2013 Mrs. Mary Jane Renuart 06-19-2013 Mrs. Jean Forester 12-31-2013 Deacon John Parrish 06-06-2015 Mrs. Eileen Miles 07-04-2015 Deacon Dennis O’Madigan 01-31-2016 Deacon Robert Dotson 07-07-2016

Deacon Stephen Horai 07-11-2016 Mrs. Maria Marini 07-11-2016 Mrs. Ladis Zimmerle 09-07-2016 Deacon Gerard LaPointe 12-18-2016 Deacon Thomas Rasmussen 12-22-2016 Mrs. Carole Hubbell 01-29-2017 Deacon Robert Kratchman 04-06-2017 Mrs. Elizabeth Herman 04-27-2017 Deacon Eugene Gillis 06-14-2017 Deacon Charles Dietsch 08-31-2017 Deacon Charles Knight 09-13-2017 Mrs. Joan Hickey 12-27-2017 Mrs. Mary Triana 05-26-2018 Deacon Ronald Steinkamp 06-10-2018 Deacon Paul “Pe” Lee 10-17-2018 Mrs. Sandra Killian 04-30-2019 Mrs. Bobbie May 05-20-2019 Deacon Michael Stout 02-04-2020 Deacon Charles Brantley 02-27-2020 Deacon James Johnson 03-10-2020 Deacon Joseph Mack 03-22-2020 Deacon Gordon Forester 08-01-2020 Deacon John Zimmerle 11-27-2020 Deacon Patrick Devine 12-10-2020 Deacon Rudy Triana 01-23-2021 Mrs. Elease Huff 02-19-2021

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Congratulations to our beloved Father José Antonio juya On the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood Your parish family at St. Michael offers our sincere gratitude for your devoted service and dedication.

La familia de la parroquia St. Michael Le ofrece su sincero agradecimiento por su servicio y dedicación.

Dios lo bendiga

God Bless you

Felicitaciones a nuestro querido Padre José Antonio juya En el 40° aniversario de su ordenación al santo sacerdocio

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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34 deacons celebrate jubilee anniversaries In preparation for ordination each man who would be a permanent deacon makes a canonical retreat and offers a solemn Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith.

This is their final step toward receiving the grace of ordination. For on their day of ordination, their lives will change as well as the lives of the many people they will encounter in their ministry.

And yes, as years advance, each permanent deacon grows in appreciation for the loving support of their wives and families, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the wise counsel of their pastor, and especially their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, she becomes their teacher. She is their: n Teacher of Faith – teaching them to hear the Word and to proclaim it faithfully. n Teacher of Charity – teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the People of God. n Teacher of Prayer – teaching them to come to know the value of prayer. n Teacher of Humility – teaching them the greatness of being the least of all. n Teacher of that Service which is hidden – teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.

In their devotion to Mary and through the sanctifying grace of God, the following permanent deacons bring the person of Jesus to all they serve. Today we celebrate with them the anniversary of their ordination and the giving of themselves to serve the Church of Charlotte.

40 YEARS

Deacon Clarke E. Cochran, 76, and his wife Anne relocated to North Carolina from Lubbock, Texas, in 2017. Deacon Cochran was ordained Feb. 14, 1981, for the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas. In 1983 he was incardinated into the newly established Diocese of Lubbock, where he was the first director of the permanent diaconate.

In his diaconal roles, he served for nearly 37 years at St. John Neumann Parish in Lubbock and was involved in the areas of social justice, preaching, teaching and liturgical service. As a retired deacon he remains active in similar ministries at St. Peter Church in Charlotte and teaches on the diocesan level within the candidate and deacon formation programs. Deacon Cochran and Anne live in Indian Trail, and in August they will celebrate 54 years of marriage.

35 YEARS

Deacon Jeffrey S. Evers, 78, was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., on May 3, 1986. He served at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Deer Park, N.Y., for many years after ordination. In 2000 he and his wife Barbara moved to North Carolina.

After serving for a time at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, he was assigned to St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, where after retirement in 2018, he still actively serves.

He and his wife Barbara have three children and seven grandchildren, and live in Matthews. They will celebrate 58 years of marriage this August.

Deacon H. Paul Herman, 84, was ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., on June 28, 1986. He served at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbell, Conn., for 20 years. In

2007 he and his wife Elizabeth relocated to Charlotte, where he was assigned to St. Matthew Church. He was granted formal retirement in 2012 upon reaching the age of 75 and continues in limited ministry.

Deacon Herman’s wife Elizabeth passed away in 2017, just after they had celebrated 55 years of marriage. He still resides in Charlotte.

Deacon Darío García Ospina, 70, was ordained Nov. 30, 1986, in Pereira, Colombia, where for many years he helped in the formation of candidates for the permanent diaconate. In 2012 he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was appointed to serve the Hispanic community for the Hickory Vicariate. In this capacity he travels to many parishes, where he brings his own faith journey with him in ministering to groups and to individuals. He and his wife Adiela live in Statesville and will celebrate 47 years of marriage this December.

30 YEARS

Deacon Paul A, Liotard, 83, was ordained for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., on May 25, 1991. After ordination he served at St. Mary Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and at Annunciation Parish in Wayne, N.J. He then served for three years in the Diocese of Scranton, at Saint Mary of the Mount Church in Mount Pocono, Pa. In 2006, he and his wife Rosemary relocated to North Carolina, where he served at Holy Angels Parish in Mount Airy before retiring from active ministry in 2011. Deacon Liotard and Rosemary live in Kernersville and will celebrate 62 years of marriage this November.

25 YEARS

Deacon Lawrence P. O’Toole, 80, was ordained for the Archdiocese of New York on June 1, 1996, by the late Cardinal John O’Connor. After ordination he served as the New York Medical College’s university chaplain, creating a parish-like campus community for students, and he was assigned to St. Augustine Church in New York City, his home for 30 years. He and his wife Judy now live in Indian Trail.

In 2011, he was assigned to St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, where in 2016 he retired and remains active. Deacon O’Toole and Judy have three daughters and five grandchildren, and have been married for 57 years.

20 YEARS

Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan, 63, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Joseph Church in Newton. In 2007, he was appointed assistant director of formation and then in 2011 as director of formation, where he served until 2019. Currently he is the director of the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. Deacon Gilfillan and his wife Kimberly live in Catawba and have been married for 39 years.

Deacon Pierre M. K’Briuh, 83, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001. After ordination he was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Greensboro.

DEACONS, SEE PAGE 16B

“In Solidarity with our Priests” The North Carolina State Council Knights of Columbus Offers prayerful congratulations to Father Juan Miguel Sanchez Father Joseph Wasswa

Father Joseph Wasswa

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez

on their Ordination as Priests for the Diocese of Charlotte We also extend special congratulations to all Priests, Deacons and Religious who are celebrating their continued service to the Diocese of Charlotte. www.kofcnc.org

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 16B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

DEACONS FROM PAGE 15B

A native of Vietnam who became a naturalized citizen, he continues to assist at the parish with the Montagnard community even though he is formally retired. He and his wife Anna live in Greensboro and are celebrating 58 years of marriage this month.

Deacon David E. King, 73, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001, and was assigned to Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville. He was also assigned to ministry at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point, a retirement and skilled care facility founded by the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. With a growing ministry at the facility, he was asked in 2007 to dedicate himself full-time to serving there. He lives in Thomasville.

Deacon R. Alexander Lyerly, 77, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001. His first assignment was to St. Elizabeth Church in Boone. In 2006 Deacon Lyerly was assigned to St. Bernadette Church in Linville, where he served until retirement from active ministry in 2014. He is also a retired Chief District Court Judge for North Carolina.

Deacon Lyerly and his wife Brenda, who will celebrate 46 years of marriage this year, live in Banner Elk. Deacon James J. Mazur, 62, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. Since he was a practicing medical doctor and surgeon,

Deacon Mazur was also asked to support and serve local pro-life ministry efforts. He and his wife Colleen live near the church in Salisbury and will celebrate 30 years of marriage in July.

Deacon Mark D. Nash, 61, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001, and was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, where he was a member of the parish staff. In 2004 Deacon Nash helped establish a permanent diaconate endowment fund. He now serves Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville, and until recently worked for Catholic Charities. He and his wife Heidi, who will celebrate 36 years of marriage in December, live in Mill Spring.

Deacon Michael J. Zboyovski, 69, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was assigned to St. Eugene Church in Asheville and serves in ministries such as RCIA, prison outreach and pastoral care to the sick and homebound. For the diocese, he serves as a RCIA commissioner and is the Asheville Regional Coordinator for deacons.

Deacon Zboyovski and his wife Jan, who will celebrate 44 years of marriage in December, live in Weaverville.

15 YEARS

Deacon Lee T. Levenson, 76, was ordained Sept. 9, 2006, for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla. After ordination he was assigned to St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach, Fla. Upon arrival to North Carolina in 2015, he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson, where he still serves.

He is involved in all aspects of parish life and leads the parish’s faith formation program. Deacon Levenson and his wife

Alice live in Deep Gap and have been married for 56 years.

Deacon John Szarek, 61, was ordained May 28, 2006, for the Archdiocese of Chicago. For the next 13 years he served St. Ansgar Parish in Hanover Park, Ill., with ministry to the homebound and to people in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. He was also a diaconate council member. Since 2020, he has served at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva, where he is involved in those same ministries. He and his wife Susan live in Franklin and will celebrate 28 years of marriage in October.

Deacon James L. Atkinson, 80, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Denver, where he served for 11 years. In 2017 he and his wife Penny relocated to Irmo, S.C., in the Diocese of Charleston. Assigned to Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Chapin, S.C., he is a tribunal advocate, serves in RCIA ministry, and especially during this pandemic, serves homebound parishioners’ needs. Deacon Atkinson and Penny will celebrate 56 years of marriage in July.

Deacon David P. Boissey Sr., 66, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he served Good Shepherd Mission in King, and in 2009 he was assigned to St. Benedict Church in Greensboro. Returning in 2014 to Good Shepherd, he now serves as the parish’s faith formation director and supports family life and outreach ministries. He has served on the Deacon Association Board. He and his wife Vicki, who have been married for 45 years, live in King.

Deacon Mark S. Diener, 66, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

He and his wife Kathy live in Charlotte, where his first assignment was to St. Gabriel Church. In 2012 he was appointed diocesan spiritual director of Cursillo, and he also served as spiritual advisor for Cursillo Region VII for six years. He now serves at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte and is a tribunal advocate. He and Kathy will celebrate 42 years of marriage in August.

Deacon Walter J. Haarsgaard, 80, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, where he and his wife Margaret have been long-time members. In serving the parish, he is the director of faith formation and is a patient volunteer and chaplain for Piedmont Hospice. Deacon Haarsgaard and Margaret live in High Point and will celebrate 38 years of marriage in October.

Deacon Edward A. Konarski, 68, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. Upon ordination, he was assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, where he and his wife Cindy live. In 2012 he was appointed to a threeyear term to the diocesan board of Catholic Charities and named assistant director of candidate formation. He currently serves as director. He and Cindy will celebrate 40 years of marriage in November.

Deacon John T. Kopfle, 64, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination his assignment was to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte and to Hospital Ministry. He has served this DEACONS, SEE PAGE 17B

Congratulations Deacon Paul Herman and Deacon Daren Bitter

On the 35th anniversary of Deacon Paul Herman’s ordination and the 10th anniversary of Deacon Daren Bitter’s ordination, your St. Matthew parish family extends our sincere gratitude for your dedication and service.

St. Matthew Catholic Church Connected in Christ!

Moved by the Spirit!

The parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker in Newton wish Deacon Scott Gilfillan God’s blessings on the occasion of his 20th Anniversary of his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate.

May he continue to experience God’s blessings in all that he does for our parish and the Diocese of Charlotte.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

DEACONS FROM PAGE 16B

parish for 15 years with ministry to those homebound, in hospitals and nursing homes always a main focus. For the diocese, he served as the regional director for Charlottearea deacons for nine years. He and his wife Nancy are active in diocesan events and have been married for 38 years.

Deacon Larry G. Lisk, 76, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Since ordination, he has remained very involved with prison ministry, both at Central Prison with events in Raleigh and assisting with the Forsyth County Jail ministry. As an active retired deacon, he is assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro. He and his wife Mary, who live in Greensboro, will celebrate 54 years of marriage in September.

Deacon John A. Martino, 70, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. His first assignment was to Our Lady of the Angels Church in Marion and to Catholic Charities. Now assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, he is active in prison ministry and volunteers as a hospital chaplain three days each month. He was assigned as director of the permanent diaconate in 2016. He and his wife Terri, who have been married for 51 years, live in Morganton.

Deacon Brian P. McNulty, 65, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

After ordination he was first assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte and to hospital ministry. Currently assigned

to St. Patrick Cathedral, he and Michelle are the parents of Father Paul McNulty, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. Residents of Charlotte, Deacon McNulty and Michelle will celebrate 41 years of marriage this August.

Deacon Robert T. Murphy, 80, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. He was assigned after ordination to St. Mark Church in Huntersville, where he was active in Hispanic Ministry as well as general parish and outreach ministries. After 10 years of diaconal ministry, Deacon Murphy was granted retirement in 2016.

Deacon Murphy and his wife Angeles live in Huntersville, where they celebrated 58 years of marriage in March.

Deacon A. Stephen Pickett, 66, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir, where he still serves today. In February 2020 he presented the deacons’ continuing education session titled “Authentically African-American and Authentically Catholic.” He and his wife Deboriah live in Lenoir, and they will celebrate 31 years of marriage this November.

Deacon Kevin B. Williams, 63, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he was appointed to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte, where he currently serves as youth minister and RCIA director. In addition he was appointed to Airport Ministry, where he is still very active. In 2012 he was certified as a spiritual director. Deacon Williams and his wife Theresa live in Charlotte, and this month they are celebrating 43 years of marriage.

Father James Stuhrenberg Congratulations on your 15th Anniversary as a Priest With gratitude from the clergy, staff, and parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church

10 YEARS

Deacon W. Dave Powers, 66, was ordained for the Diocese of Arlington, Va., on Jan. 15, 2011. In 2016, he and his wife Susan moved to Waxhaw. Now assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, he serves in parish ministry, as tribunal advocate and director of faith formation. Incardinated into the Charlotte diocese in 2020, he serves on the Deacon Association Board and Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee.

Deacon Powers and his wife Susan will celebrate 35 years of marriage in October.

Deacon Enedino S. Aquino, 63, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. His assignment after being ordained was to Hispanic Ministry within the Greensboro Vicariate. As he continues this very active role, he performs baptisms and ministers to groups and individuals in support of their faith as families. Deacon Aquino and his wife Maria Luisa live in Asheboro, and they will celebrate 46 years of marriage this November.

Deacon Daren S. Bitter, 54, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte and has served at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte since then. As part of his ministry, he actively supports the Missionaries of the Poor and has led several mission trips to Haiti. He is a Catholic Relief Services Global Fellow and is a knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Deacon Bitter and his wife Michelle live in Charlotte and will celebrate 27 years of marriage in August.

Deacon Michael Martini, 59, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on Jan. 29, 2011. After ordination he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro,

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where he still serves. In 2016 he was appointed diocesan spiritual advisor for Cursillo and in 2019 he became the spiritual advisor for National Cursillo Region VII. He continues to serve in both roles.

Deacon Martini and his wife Christina will celebrate 34 years of marriage this August.

Deacon David S. Reiser, 71, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Since ordination he has been assigned to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte, where he serves in family life and outreach ministries and is the parish’s business manager. In June he was appointed executive director and chaplain of Airport Ministry, a ministry he has served for many years. Deacon Reiser and his wife Maria live in Charlotte and will celebrate 36 years of marriage in October.

Deacon Martin Ricart III, 58, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on Jan. 29, 2011.

He and his wife Milly reside in Harrisburg.

Upon ordination he was assigned to St. James Church in Concord, and in 2016 he was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, where he currently serves. In addition, since 2015 he has served as Catholic Scouting advisor for the diocese.

Deacon Ricart and his wife Milly will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November.

Deacon William H. Wilson, 59, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination Deacon Wilson was assigned to Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, where he and his wife Therese are members. He is a minister of the Word, supports all liturgical ministries, serves parish family life and outreach programs, and is a tribunal advocate.

Residents of Belmont, he and Terri will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November.

The Staff and Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul congratulate

Father Joshua A. Voitus on his 10 years of priestly ministry.

Ad Multos Annos!

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 18B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Pius the Tenth Catholic Parish Celebrates

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of his Ordination

No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God. Hebrews 5:4

2210 North Elm Street . Greensboro, North Carolina . 27408 . www.stpiusxnc.com

St. Barnabas Catholic Church Wishes to Congratulate

The Very Rev. Adrian Porras, V.F. th

On the 20 Anniversary of his Ordination December 15, 2001

Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God's grace.

- 1 Peter 4:10 -

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Called By God… Supported By You In the academic year just ended, we have been blessed to have 41 seminarians – 14 men in major seminaries in Ohio and Rome and 27 at St. Joseph College Seminary – who are discerning God’s call to serve you as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte. Your prayers and financial assistance pay for a portion of tuition, room & board that will help assure the diocese of having priests to shepherd the Catholic population in western North Carolina for years to come.

Joseph Wasswa and Juan Miguel Sanchez are to be ordained as priests for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 19, 2021

Please invest in the lives and ministry of our future priests.

Make Your Gift Today!

Online: Donate securely online at: charlottediocese.org/donate, then click on Seminarian Education Campaign

By Mail: SSeminarian Education Campaign 1123 South Church Street – Charlotte, NC 28203

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 20B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD