Bishop Peter Jugis, priest faculty and seminarians stand in front of St. Joseph College Seminary during its blessing and grand opening in September 2020.
CHARLOTTE — One of Bishop Peter Jugis' signature achievements has been founding St. Joseph College Seminary. Established in 2016, it has become a seedbed for vocations as young men have responded to the opportunity to consider a priestly vocation close to their homes and the parishes they might one day serve.
In September 2020 – amid the coronovirus pandemic – Bishop Jugis and the seminary's faculty opened a permanent home for the college seminary in Mount Holly, with capacity for 40 seminarians and room to grow. The expanding, impressive campus houses young men who learn about life in the priesthood while also pursuing an undergraduate degree at nearby Belmont Abbey College.
Clergy ordinations are one way a bishop can steer his diocese over the long term, notes Father Patrick Winslow, chancellor of the diocese.
“Ordinarily, bishops have about 10 years in a diocese and their most enduring impact comes through the men they ordain. In the case of Bishop Jugis, he’s had two decades as bishop to invigorate and inspire a vocations program.”
That impact, he said, “will be felt for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Read about the history and growth of St. Joseph College Seminary:
Growing up in western North Carolina past Asheville, when I was a young kid, I would serve whenever I could and certainly whenever the bishop came. When he came the first time, I introduced myself to him. I told him my name and he said, ‘Thank you for serving.’ The second time, I introduced myself to him again, imagining that he probably wouldn't remember me because I was so far away from Charlotte and at a small parish. Before I was even able to introduce myself to him, he said, ‘Aaron, it's nice to see you again.’ I was taken aback. He was so confident. He wasn't trying to search for the name. He just knew: This is Aaron. He's here. He goes to this parish. He's this many years old. He mentioned something about the priesthood. So, he gave me and the other servers a prayer card and the rosaries he carries around and gives to people and says, ‘Pray for me, pray for the diocese, and pray for your vocation.’
— Father Aaron Huber, chaplain of Christ the King Catholic High School and first graduate of St. Joseph College Seminary to be ordained to the priesthood
Explore Bishop Jugis' contributions to the Diocese of Charlotte:
Bishop Peter Jugis guided the diocese through unprecedented growth
Bishop Jugis created six parishes for the diocese
Bishop Jugis brings celebration of the Eucharist to diocese
Bishop Jugis has fostered diversity and inclusion of all Catholics
Bishop Jugis grew ministries and services through stewardship
Diocese marks a half-century of serving faithful
Bishop Jugis led the diocese through the aftermath of abuse revelations
Bishop Jugis steered the Charlotte diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic