CHARLOTTE — Bishop Michael Martin will commemorate the feast of St. Patrick with Masses at two historic Irish churches in the Diocese of Charlotte.
While the diocese dates from 1972, Catholics have lived in the Carolinas since the United States was founded. In the early 1800s, Irish immigrants put down roots – mostly stonemasons and tradesmen who found work with the railroads, in construction and in mines near Charlotte, where prospectors had struck gold.
Old St. Joseph Church, March 17
On Monday, March 17, Mass will be offered at 9 a.m. at Old St. Joseph Church in Mount Holly, the mother church for Catholics in western North Carolina and one of the oldest Catholic churches still standing in the state.
The Greek Revival style wooden frame church was built in 1843 by Irish immigrants, who had come to search for gold along the Catawba River.
No longer an active parish, today Old St. Joseph Church is used for special occasions such at the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph in March, and tours are available by request through Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont.
Hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the annual Mass pays tribute to the first Catholic families in western North Carolina and their beloved first pastor, the Irish-born Father T.J. Cronin. Prayers at Father Cronin’s graveside will be said prior to Mass (depending on the weather).
All are welcome to attend the Mass at the church, which is located at N.C. 273 and Sandy Ford Road.
St. Patrick Cathedral, March 16
On Sunday, March 16, Bishop Martin will also celebrate the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.
Construction on St. Patrick Church began on March 17, 1938, St. Patrick’s Day, thanks to a donation from John Henry Phelan in honor of his parents. It was built adjacent to the O’Donoghue School (now St. Patrick School), and dedicated by Raleigh Bishop Eugene J. McGuinness on Sept. 4, 1939. In 1972, Bishop-elect Michael J. Begley chose it as the cathedral for the new diocese, and the newly elevated cathedral served as the location for his ordination and installation on Jan. 12, 1972.
Both historic churches are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
— Catholic News Herald
CHARLOTTE — People are invited to pray for six men expected to be ordained priests in June using special kneelers now making their way to parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte.
The special kneelers, or prie-dieus, are commissioned each year for the ordinands by the Mary’s Sons apostolate.
The kneelers travel to parishes across the diocese to allow the faithful to pray for vocations and the six men expected to be ordained priests: Deacons Christopher William Angermeyer, of St.
Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte; Deacon Anthony del Cid Lucero, of St. Joseph Parish in Newton; Deacon Nicholas James Kramer, of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa; Deacon Kolbe Raymond Murrey, of St. John the Baptist Parish in Tryon; Deacon Andrew Jeffery Templeton, of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Gastonia; and Deacon Joseph Gerard Yellico, of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville.
Journals also accompany the kneelers so people can convey their well-wishes to the future priests.
The kneelers, pictured at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, will be given to the new priests at their ordination at St. Mark Church in Huntersville on June 14.
Find an upcoming location to pray at the kneelers:
March 10 - 17: St. Thomas Aquinas, Charlotte
March 17 - 24: St. John the Baptist, Tryon
April 7 - 14: St. Margaret Mary, Swannanoa
April 14 - 21: St. Dorothy, Lincolnton
April 28 - May 5: St. Michael the Archangel, Gastonia
Learn more
At www.maryssons.org: Learn more about the Mary’s Sons apostolate