Scenes of Christmas spirit around the diocese
Last Updated on Thursday, 08 March 2012 10:25 05 January 2012
CHARLOTTE — Here are submitted pictures of the Christmas season from around the Diocese of Charlotte.
Pictured: DENVER — The Holy Spirit Church Parish Activity Center was packed with more than 1,000 people, including Danielle Sintoni and her boys Joseph, 3, and Shaun, 5 months, for the Children's Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve. Families arrived early to enjoy the children's choir performance before the start of Mass. (Doreen Sugierski | Catholic News Herald)
St. Luke of Mint Hill
DENVER — Holding her candle in the darkened church Lily Pena sings angelically amidst shepherds, barnyard animals, magi and a host of angels during the children’s depiction of the Nativity on Christmas Eve at Holy Spirit Church. (Doreen Sugierski | Catholic News Herald)
MAGGIE VALLEY — Children enrolled in St. Margaret of Scotland Church’s faith formation program recently enacted the Nativity story in the four Gospels. The presentation was followed by lunch provided by the Knights of Columbus Fr. Michael Murphy Council. Catechists were presented with a gift from the parish by Father Richard Benonis, pastor. (Picture provided by Christine Mallette and Betsy McLeod)
WINSTON SALEM -- St. Leo Parish and School donated food and gifts to help make Christmas special for 52 needy families in the area. (Photo provided by Donna Birkel)
DENVER — Taylor Bailey, left, and McKenzie Rea add candy to a shoebox to delight a child in the Ukraine. The Holy Spirit Church youth group recently packed 70 gift-filled shoeboxes with donations by the faith formation students’ families. More than 35 youth group members worked at the Charlotte distribution center for Operation Christmas Child. (Doreen Sugierski | Catholic News Herald)
MOORESVILLE — The St. Thérèse Community Outreach Commission enjoyed celebrating the holiday with Curlin Commons residents. Curlin Commons is an affordable senior apartment community opened in 2007 and named for Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin, who said Mass there on Dec. 6. Afterwards, the residents and the bishop shared a meal provided by the parish commission. (Photo provided by Lisa Cash and Ann Findysz) 
CHARLOTTE — More than 50 volunteers from Knights of Columbus Council 7343 at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, students from Charlotte Catholic High School, the parish’s Boy Scout Troop 12 and youth group, and the Columbian Squires, all led by pastor Father Pat Hoare, participated in Operation Santa’s Helpers in December, collecting food, clothing and Christmas presents for nearly 300 needy Charlotte area families. (Photo provided by Al Tinson)
SALISBURY — Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1759 of Sacred Heart Church collected Christmas presents for needy children through their annual “Heart to Heart” giving tree. This year they wrapped 240 presents to be given to children in the Salisbury area. (Bill Washington | Catholic News Herald)
CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church sparkled at Christmas. (Photo provided by Jenny Cox)
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FROM THE PASTORS
Read and listen to homilies posted regularly by pastors at parishes within the Diocese of Charlotte:
- Fr. Frank Cancro at Queen of the Apostles
- Fr. Patrick Earl at St. Peter in Charlotte
- Fr. John Eckert at St. John the Baptist in Tryon
- Fr. Timothy Reid at St. Ann in Charlotte
- Fr. Benjamin Roberts at Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe
- Fr. Patrick Winslow at St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte
- Watch full Masses live and on demand, listen to homilies and reflections from Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury
- Listen to homilies from St. William Catholic Church in Murphy