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March
Volume
8
t
5,
atholic NEWS HERALD 3«
&
1999
Number 26
Serving Catholics
in
Western North Carolina
in
the Diocese of Charlotte
ln$id Land mine
document Pope urges nations to sign global anti-land
mine treaty
13
...Page
Bishop asked to participate
sainthood
In
cause HOTOS BY UONNA JERNIGAN
16
...Page
William G. Curlin, during the prayer of dedication and the anointings of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. "The Church is the dwelling place of God on earth: a temple built of living stones, founded on the apostles with Jesus Christ its comer stone." The new building is tlie final chapter in a threephase construction plan, as parking facilities and education and social facilities were completed over the past few years. "Here
r^4ocal Ncw$
reflected the mystery of the Church," read Bishop
is
St.
parish family celebrates
Catholic, Lutheran bishops
new
its
issue Lenten statement ...Page
Come
Vincent de Paul
By JOANN
3
home
parish S.
"The Song of
Mark"
St.
Barnabas
Church
in
Arden
hosts Gospel-
based play ...Page
15
{very Week
— For
& Columns 4-5
...Pages
10-11
Faith Fomiation'
Week
and
grow together in love. most sacred moment, Bishop
Curlin anointed the altar and church with a fragrant holy oil of chrism. As the building was filled with aromatic incense the prayers of the people asscended to God. In this a holy place we mark the altar with five crosses ... signifying the wounds of Christ," said Bishop Cur lin. will put into this altar the relics of holy saints who
We
gave their
March 14-21 the
SEE SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
Chris-
in spirit
truth and In a
Entertainment
Where
worship
life
for Jesus.
With this solemn consecration, new St. Vincent de Paul Church
was dedicated
as an ever-holy place to
feed God's people on Christ's
word
and sacrament. "How blessed we are
your
•
— was elevated
southeast Charlotte parish for the past eight years. The new building completes a triptych of a plan: Parking facilities, education and social wings, and this final phase, a
"We
-
750 - towers above former self.
1961 Paul
St.
for liturgy
are
especially
grateful for our renovated
with seating for about
share in love, to celebrate the greatest gift of all, our Lord's presence in the Eucharist, the heartbeat of the church." However, he added, "this
new church
and prayer.
The new church
its
— the mis-
to parish status.
"The temporary chapel became the permanent church for the next 36 years," said Msgr. Pharr, pastor of the
and through the inspiration of Msgr. Pharr, you have constructed a place where you will be nourished by the sacraments we will cel-
"This is where we worship," said Bishop Curlin. "This is where we celebrate God's presence and
first facility, "a
In 1965 St. Vincent
sion
efforts
ebrate here."
The
Bill Pharr.
with this magnificent church," said Bishop Curlin. "Through your sacrifices
parish.
gym, was constructed to be used as a temporary chapel," recalled Msgr.
Spirit
—
— —
tians gather to
..'Pages
number
of years, the parish family of St. Vincent de Paul prayed in unison: "Help us ... put into reality the dream of a church a place to worship a place to gather as Christians united in friendship a community of believers praying together in sacred matters and working and playing together in secular pursuits." During the Feb. 27 Vigil Mass, the parish gathered to celebrate the fruition of those prayers. With the sacred liturgy of dedication, the parish received its long anticipated house of salvation and grace.
Editorials
a
Ann
St.
Holy
KEANE
Editor
CHARLOTTE
former self In 1961 St. Vincent de Paul was established as a mission of
church," said Msgr. Pharr. "It has been the number one long-range goal for this parish."
Building committee a St. Andy Lock
In
chair
Vincent de
—
Vincent de Paul parishioner for more than a decade
—
was established
spent the better part of that time involved with the paras a mission of St. ish construction plans. In Ann parish. spite of nominal setbacks such as unearthing rock building, as beautiful where rock should not have as it is, is not the whole church. The been during the parking lot phase, church is also outside of these walls. and a few design reconfigurations, are living stones. are the Lock is proud of his new parish home. body of Christ. Where you go, Christ "We've built a lovely church. Simple goes." and beautiful." t The new church with seating
—
—
We
for about
We
750
—
—
towers above
its