CHARLOTTE — Father Christopher Bond has been appointed as pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Maggie Valley, effective Sept. 2.
Father Richard Benonis, pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Church announced his plans to retire earlier this month.
Father Bond has served as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Cathedral and St. Matthew Church, both in Charlotte.
Father Bond was ordained in 2017 after studying at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He also holds a business administration degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
Father Bond was 30 years old before he seriously considered a vocation to the priesthood he told the Catholic News Herald before his ordination.
“It took another few years before I was able to discern, through much prayer, that God was indeed calling me to such a vocation,” Father Bond said.
Father Benonis has spent more than 60-plus years of priestly ministry. A Pennsylvania native, Father Benonis grew up in a large family and was one of two brothers who were called to the priesthood.
In his early years of ministry, he served in several parishes, he worked with the Boy Scouts, and he planned medical ethics courses for Catholic nurses and students.
He then began his work with the Ecumenical Movement, which included a Philadelphia radio talk show with Protestant clergyman.
He also served as a U.S. Army chaplain for 20 years, with many of those years serving overseas – including Germany and two tours in Vietnam, holding an officer’s rank.
Returning stateside, he earned a master’s degree in counseling from Long Island University.
While he was serving in Germany, Father Benonis became an executive team priest with Worldwide Marriage Encounter for several years before retiring from the Army. He served again as the chaplain at the San Antonio, Texas, VA Hospital.
Upon retirement, he moved to Maggie Valley and has continued to serve the people of God as pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Church.
— Catholic News Herald