Sharing Christ's love for 50 years
Father Joseph Mack, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle, celebrates Mass during the parish's 50th anniversary kickoff event Jan. 25. Deacon Larry Lisk and altar servers assisted.GREENSBORO — The fervor of St. Paul the Apostle filled the hearts of hundreds who gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro parish dedicated to this great saint.
Clergy, parishioners and friends attended the Mass and dinner on the parish’s patronal feast Jan. 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
Founded on July 15, 1974, with a congregation of 90 families, St. Paul the Apostle was originally pastored by the Paulist Fathers before being led by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and diocesan priests. The event kicked off a variety of activities that are planned throughout the coming year to mark the milestone anniversary. Father Joseph Mack, pastor, celebrated the Mass, assisted by Deacon Larry Lisk and four altar servers.
In his homily, Father Mack recounted the story of St. Paul’s conversion, remarking on his obstinance and severe persecution of Christians. Then, he illustrated how after his dramatic conversion, Paul used those traits to proclaim the love of Christ in the direst of circumstances, such as when he returned to the city of Lystra to preach the Gospel after having been stoned and left for dead by its inhabitants.
“He would have been literally bloodied, bruised and bleeding everywhere, but he goes back,” said Father Mack, who has been pastor of St. Paul the Apostle for 11 years. “In that very act was a powerful witness that helped him to proclaim the Gospel: ‘You tried to do this to me, but I love you too much to give up on you and go someplace else.’”
Fittingly, a little of St. Paul himself was also present at the Mass. Father Mack announced that an anonymous parishioner recently gifted the parish with a first-class relic of the parish patron, a fragment of bone in a reliquary that now has a permanent home behind the church’s altar.
Gary and Kathy Chapman have been members of St. Paul the Apostle since its founding in 1974 when Mass was celebrated in a funeral home and a local Lutheran church.“I want it to be a constant reminder of that same love that Paul knew that he had. Remember him, but not just like you're remembering what you did yesterday, but a memory that is meant to encourage and fire you up to do what he did no matter where you are. Nothing could stop him, and if you let that love be here,” he said, pointing to his heart, “nothing will stop you.”
His words indeed stirred the parishioners’ hearts, inspiring them to continue finding ways to put their faith in action by sharing the love of Christ. The parish, the fifth Roman Catholic parish to be established in Greensboro, is well-known in the community for its service and outreach.
Father Mack said in comments after the event that the parishioners embody the spirit of St. Paul through their unceasing charity.
“Our parish has very strong outreach programs, both locally and abroad, in support of our sister parish in Ecuador,” he said. “Growing participation in adult ed programs and the Millions of Monicas prayer group illustrate how parishioners continue to live out our mission.”
Colleen Assal, co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee, served as the master of ceremonies at the dinner following Mass. Founding members and other longtime parishioners offered remarks and shared memories as attendees enjoyed an Italian dinner.
Twenty-three original members of the parish attended the event and could be spotted by the white carnations they wore. Speakers included parishioners Rocky Riccio, Pat Ferry, Jim Reittinger and Susan Cole.
“The staff here at St. Paul’s are so terrific. Everybody knows your name. Everybody here is so welcoming. It’s the most beautiful place,” said Ferry, one of the founding members. “The deacons, the priests everything is so wonderful, and the spiritual enrichment that we have gotten and continue to get is also so wonderful here at St. Paul’s.”
Upcoming 50th anniversary events include a Rise Against Hunger service event Feb. 17, parish picnic June 2, anniversary Mass and luncheon July 14, formal dinner Oct. 19, and a Mass for deceased members of the parish Nov. 2. For more information, visit www.stpaulcc.org/celebrating-our-50th-anniversary.
— Annie Ferguson
