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CHARLOTTE — Father Patrick J. Winslow was installed as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church by Bishop Peter J. Jugis on Aug. 14.

The installation Mass was attended by more than a dozen priests, deacons and seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte. More than 300 faithful parishioners witnessed this joyous occasion.

At this beautiful occasion, Father Matthew Kauth acted as the Master of Ceremony.

At the beginning of the Mass, the decree from Bishop Jugis to assign Father Winslow as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish was read to the parishioners by Deacon Mark Nash.

The bishop then asked Father Winslow to take the oath of office which declared that Father Winslow would preserve the deposit of faith; that he would instruct the parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in accordance with Catholic teaching based upon Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and not to deviate from the teaching.

Father Winslow signed the oath, witnessed by Deacon James Witulski. In Catholic tradition, the oath taken by the new pastor is the creation of a covenant – a family bond – where Father Winslow becomes the "Father" and "Good Shepherd" of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, and the parishioners are members of the family.

The bishop walked around the main parts of the church with Father Winslow, reminding him of his responsibilities as shepherd to sanctify the parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas through the sacraments, to instruct the faithful through catechetical programs and to govern the parish as Christ would govern.

Following the Mass, a festive welcome party was held in Aquinas Hall.

Prior to being installed as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Father Winslow served as pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon for six years.

While there, Father Winslow studied for an advanced degree in canon law from The Catholic University of America and has recently completed his studies. He is also a lecturer for Catholic Scripture Studies International.

— Annette Morales, special to the Catholic News Herald. Photos provided by Lota Mascarenas.