HENDERSONVILLE — Parishioners gathered joyfully and gratefully at Immaculate Conception Church on Aug. 25 to mark the 100th anniversary of the parish and welcome its new pastor, Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz. It marked the culmination of a yearlong celebration of the vibrant Catholic community in Henderson County.
Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrated the two-hour bilingual Mass in the church, which was filled with hundreds of local Catholics. It was a very different scene from the first Mass celebrated at the parish on Aug. 25, 1912, when Hendersonville had just 19 Catholics. Since then, the parish has grown to 3,000 Catholics of all different backgrounds – but sharing in the same love for Our Lord and His Church, and excited to make the most of the parish's next 100 years.
Special guests at the Mass and anniversary celebration included Monsignor Joseph Showfety, who served as Immaculate Conception's pastor from 1967 to 1972, when he was selected to become the first chancellor of the newly formed Diocese of Charlotte. Also present was the Capuchin Franciscan community's vicar provincial, Father Ronald Giannone, who traveled down from the provincial house in New Jersey.
Pictured: Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville concluded its yearlong centennial celebration Aug. 25 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis, who also installed Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz as pastor. Concelebrants were Monsignor Joseph Showfety, who served as Immaculate Conception's pastor from 1967 to 1972, and the Capuchin Franciscan community's vicar provincial, Father Ronald Giannone. Also pictured are Capuchin Franciscan Father Robert Williams, parochial vicar, and Deacon Carlos Medina from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. (Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Catholic News Herald)
The evening celebration kicked off with a foot-stomping performance of traditional Aztec dance by a group of six young parishioners of Mexican heritage. Jolin Islas, Melin Islas, Arlin Carachure, Yuriza Carachure, Gabriel Gutierrez and Lisette Bedolla danced to the beat of a drum down the center aisle to offer a dance before the altar in praise of God.
At the start of Mass, members of the parish's commissions processed in bearing banners depicting their ministries. The Knights of Columbus, which have a proud history in Hendersonville, also participated.
Much of the Mass featured the rite of installation for Father Schratz, who made his profession of faith and took the oath of fidelity – formally taking charge of the faith community comprised of both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Catholics. He will shepherd the parish, Immaculata School, St. Gerard's House and numerous ministries.
Father Schratz, a Philadelphia native, most recently served as pastor of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, a 500-member mostly African-American parish, and before that he was pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, also in Charlotte.
Joining Father Schratz at the parish are Father Robert Williams, OFM Cap., as parochial vicar and Brother Lombardo D'Auria, OFM Cap., as pastoral associate.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis encouraged Father Schratz to look to the Good Shepherd as his model for leading the parish, teaching the faithful and administering the sacraments so that the faithful can become holy and serve the community for decades to come. To be a good shepherd, the bishop explained, means one must really know each member of the flock – the old and the young, the sick and the healthy, the married and the single, the rich and the poor.
"I understand that when Father Peter Marion said the first Mass here a hundred years ago, he only had to know 19 people," Bishop Jugis noted with a smile.
The congregation laughed knowingly, then he continued, "But today you have to know more than 1,500 families, which is quite an increase in number that is placed upon you.
"But as St. Paul tells us God said to him, 'Do not dismay, do not fear, for My grace is sufficient.' And God's grace certainly is sufficient for you."
And, Bishop Jugis added, "You are surrounded by a host of many helpers in the parish to help you, to prepare you as pastor of this wonderful parish."
In his remarks at the end of Mass, Father Schratz thanked everyone for their hard work, and said he was grateful for the warm welcome he and the other clergy have received. The 100th anniversary, he said, marks an opportunity to give thanks for all the blessings that God has bestowed.
The 100th anniversary is exciting, he noted, because it offers a good foundation for the parish's next 100 years.
Parishioner Sherry Glatzer echoed his sentiments, recalling that the parish had warmly welcomed her when she moved to Hendersonville years ago, and everyone's love for the Lord and for each other is evident in all that they do. "I'm so excited. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us in the next 100 years!"
— Patricia Guilfoyle, editor
Important dates in the history of Immaculate Conception Parish
1860 North Carolina has about seven Catholic congregations, about 350 Catholics in the entire state.
1869 St. Lawrence Church (now Basilica) is completed in Asheville, and Hendersonville becomes a mission area for traveling priests including the three Father O'Connell brothers and Father Thomas Price (the "Tarheel Apostle," whose cause for sainthood is now under way).
1870s Mass is begun to be celebrated regularly by the resident priest in Asheville, who is welcomed to the Seventh Avenue home of the Johnston family.
Aug. 24, 1912 Father Peter Marion moves in as the first resident pastor in the newly-built Church of the Immaculate Conception, on land donated by the Johnston family at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Church streets. It is a modest little white clapboard church for a parish of 19 people: three men, eight women and eight children. On Aug. 25, Father Marion offers his first Mass there.
1920 The parish numbers 55 permanent members. During the summer months, visitors to the area fill the tiny church.
July 1924 After Father Marion's death on July 4, 1924, Father James Manley is transferred from St. Lawrence in Asheville to become the new pastor.
1926 Father Manley wants so much to establish a Catholic school that he moves out of the rectory and rents a room in town so that Immaculata School can be established. It is staffed by three nuns from the Religious of Christian Education from Belgium, who teach 10 students (most of whom are not Catholic). "The general public met us with surprise and were a little fearful since they did not know how to approach us, nor how to address us. Often when we walked the streets of the city, children ran after us calling us witches," recalled one the sisters.
1927 Father George Watkins becomes pastor, followed by Father Paul Termer later that year. A large brick home is purchased to house the growing school, and a small cottage named Madonna Hall is built for a rectory, meetings and later for the kindergarten.
1936 A second church that seats 200 is built to replace the original church. Made entirely of stone, it costs $5,000.
1962 Present Immaculata School is completed for 125 students, and the rectory moves back to its original location.
Nov. 29, 1964 First Mass in the English language is celebrated.
1967 Father Showfety (now Monsignor) arrives from Our Lady of the Hills Camp to serve as pastor. He begins repairs to the church and rectory and launches plans for a larger church to suit the parish's 240 families and numerous summer visitors.
1969 A convent is built and later becomes the Friary.
April 1974 A third church, in a modern, chalet style, is built by enlarging the 1936 building, at a cost of $275,000. Madonna Hall is demolished to make room. Bishop Michael J. Begley celebrates the dedication Mass on April 24 along with Father Joseph Showfety, former pastor; Father William Pharr, pastor; Benedictine Father Kieran Neilson of Belmont Abbey; and nine other priests. Father Pharr commissions a local artist, Louis Spegel of Black Mountain, to hand carve the figure of the crucified Christ out of slabs of white oak. Father Pharr also commissions a wooden cross of stained walnut upon which the figure of Christ is hung above the altar – that crucifix hangs above the altar today. The artist also carves a figure of the Madonna, also still in the current church.
1979 A second Madonna Hall (gymnasium and other rooms) is added to Immaculata School.
1991 Capuchin Friars begin their service at Immaculate Conception Parish, which numbers 1,200 families.
Dec. 5, 1998 Present-day church consecrated by Bishop William G. Curlin.
2009-2011 Father Nicholas Mormando, OFM Cap., becomes pastor and under his leadership, a new building is constructed to house St. Gerard's House and the Grotto Pre-School where young children with autism and special needs and their families receive training, support and education.
Aug. 25, 2012 Immaculate Conception Parish marks its 100th year, during Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis, who also installs the new pastor, Father Martin Schratz, OFM Cap.
Pastors of Immaculate Conception Parish
1912-1924 Father Peter Marion
1924-1927 Father James Manley
1927 Father George Watkins
1927-1931 Father Paul Termer
1931-1944 Father Philip O'Mara
1944-1967 Father Howard Lane
1967-1972 Father (now Monsignor) Joseph Showfety
1972-1974 Father (later Monsignor) William Pharr
1974-1979 Father Thomas Walsh
1979-1983 Father Paul Wilderotter
1983-1985 Father Conrad Kimbrough
1985-1986 Father Charles Reese
1986-1991 Father Joseph Kelleher
1991-1995 Father Robert Salamone, OFM Cap.
1995-2009 Father John Aurilia, OFM Cap.
2009-2011 Father Nicholas Mormando, OFM Cap.
2012- Father Martin Schratz, OFM Cap.
BURNSVILLE — Open. Welcoming. Like family.
These are the words that members of Sacred Heart Mission in Burnsville repeatedly use to describe their faith community, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains north of Asheville.
There have been Catholics in Yancey County for at least a hundred years, but it has been only 50 years since they have been able to come together to worship in a church built especially for them. It was this milestone that Burnsville Catholics celebrated with thankfulness and fellowship on Aug. 5:
Burnsville Catholics such as Lorraine Whitson, who moved from Detroit with her non-Catholic husband more than three decades ago. Her husband later converted to the faith, thanks in part to the welcoming reception that the "Yankees" received. She's now the mission's pastoral assistant.
Or Chibututu Anazia, who came to Burnsville with her husband Ibezim from Nigeria six years ago. "They're very accepting, and you get very involved," Chibututu said.
Or Ben and Carmela Mandala, who moved to town 40 years ago and owned the local theater for almost as long as they've been members at Sacred Heart. "We're happy to be here all these years," said Carmela.
Or Panfilo Velazquez, with his son Ernesto translating from Spanish, who said, "It's an open church to everybody."
Or Celia Colletta Hoke and her sister Dr. Frances Colletta, two members of one of Sacred Heart's founding families. They've seen many changes over the years at their church, and it makes them proud to see the community as vibrant and faith-filled as ever.
Or Helen and Scott Moore, who have been married 54 years and make a point of talking to everyone at the monthly fellowship luncheons, which are held in the cozy parish hall in the church's basement. "It doesn't matter who you are. Everybody's welcome," Helen said.
Early missionary priests literally built the mission with their own hands. Glenmary Father Francis Schenk designed the church, obtained grants to pay for its construction, and even did some of the construction work himself. He lived in the connecting rectory for several years, and everyone – young and old – still knows his name.
Bishop Vincent Waters came to the area in 1962 to dedicate the humble church, which at the time could seat 110 people.
Fifty years later, it was his successor Bishop Peter J. Jugis who returned to celebrate the anniversary with Father Fred Werth, pastor, and remember Bishop Waters' visit. It was a bilingual Mass – a sign of the mission's growing and changing personality. The church itself, too, was changed: the old rectory had been gutted a few years ago and turned into an additional seating area, and the entire interior was renovated to better showcase the beautiful sanctuary featuring local woodwork in cherry, maple and oak.
"This is the summit of Yancey County," said Bishop Jugis, playing off the address of the church: 20 Summit St. "This is the highest place spiritually of this county, and it's even higher than Mount Mitchell. Here you're even closer to heaven than you could ever be on the highest geographical point" in the area.
That's because the church is where the sacrifice of the Mass is offered, he said: where the people of God receive the Body and Blood of Christ and hear the word of God – sanctifying them in their path toward holiness and strengthening them to serve others.
The church at 20 Summit St. has changed quite a bit over the past five decades. The first Catholics in the region were joined by textile workers and their families from up North, then by retirees from across the country, and more recently by Hispanic Catholics.
Nowadays, the vibrant mission family is active in numerous community efforts: prison ministry, hospice, the local animal shelter, English as a second language classes, and more. But certainly one thing has not changed, members said – the spirit of fellowship.
Long-time member Pat Stefanick, who has three children, six grandchildren and now two great-grandchildren, says Sacred Heart Mission members still have that spirit of camaraderie – the closeness that a small church necessarily has, mixed with a generous dose of caring for each other and their community.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
Important dates in history
Before 1935 Jesuit Father Louis J. Toups of Hot Springs occasionally came to the area as needed during these early years, saying Mass in the homes of the few local Catholics.
1935 Raleigh Bishop William Hafey directed that the local priest repair a house in Spruce Pine that he had acquired, and set aside one room as a chapel for the celebration of Mass. Three years later, the local priest added to the building with a $10,000 gift from the Catholic Extension Society, and St. Lucien Church was established. St. Lucien remained the nearest church to Burnsville for the next two decades.
May 28, 1944 Record of the first Catholic baby baptized in Burnsville: Mary Lucille Colletta, by Father William J. Higgins. She also received her first Holy Communion from Father Higgins in later years.
Oct. 15, 1948 Bishop Vincent Waters traveled to the area to administer the sacrament of confirmation to Theresa Ruth McIntosh – the first recorded confirmation in Burnsville.
1953-1958 Mass was offered regularly in people's homes in Burnsville and later in the Legion Building.
1959-1962 A chapel was constructed in the Law Building on Town Square in Burnsville.
Sept. 1, 1956 Glenmary Father Francis Schenk was appointed pastor of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine, which at that time served Catholics in the three counties of Yancey, Avery and Mitchell.
Aug. 5, 1959 The Diocese of Raleigh purchased 2 acres, at 20 Summit St., from Cecil Angel and his wife Atlas for $4,500.
May 27, 1961 Building permit #127 was issued by the town to begin construction on the church, and ground was broken on the building – a combination church, parish hall and rectory in the Glenmary style. The building and furnishings cost $34,000, with funding coming from the Catholic Extension Society, the Glenmary Missioners and parishioners.
June 17, 1962 Bishop Vincent Waters dedicated the church, assisted by the pastor, Father Schenk, and Father Donald Kapel. There were 28 Catholics in Burnsville at the time: four men, 10 women and 14 children.
1986 Sacred Heart Mission was transferred from the care of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine to St. Andrew Church in Mars Hill, and Jesuit priests took over as pastors.
2002 The Diocese of Charlotte took over administration of St. Andrew Church and Sacred Heart Mission, and diocesan priest Father David Brzoska became pastor.
Aug. 5, 2012 For the 50th anniversary of the church's dedication, Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated Mass, assisted by Sacred Heart Mission's pastor, Father Fred Werth.
Pastors assigned to Sacred Heart Mission
1956-1964 Glenmary Father Francis J. Schenk
1964-1966 Father Donald Kaple
1966-1968 Father Paul Acherman
1968-1973 Monsignor Felix R. Kelaher
1973-1976 Father Michael Hoban
1976-1978 Father Gabriel Meehan
1978-1980 Father Henry J. Becker
1980-1982 Father Michael S. Klepacki
1982-1986 Father John Pagel
1986-1997 Jesuit Father Frank Reese
1997-2002 Jesuit Father Edward Ifkovits
2002-2004 Father David Brzoska
2004-2008 Father Adrian Porras
2008-present Father Fred Werth