LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary Church celebrated 80 years of faith on the Oct. 7 Feast Day of their patroness.
The night was full of praise and festivities including a Holy Hour and rosary, Mass, procession and reception.
The Eritrean Catholic Community of Charlotte joined in as special guests. Parochial Administrator of OLR, Father Huver Navarro, presided over the Mass alongside concelebrant Ge'ez Rite priest, Father Michael Debesay.
In his homily, Father Navarro noted the history of the parish, which was established in 1946 by a congregation of just 15 families.
He then shared his secret recipe for a strong spiritual life and a way to gain continual spiritual renewal for the next 80 years – a daily dose of the holy rosary.
“We give thanks to the Lord for the last 80 years. It is obvious our patroness of devotion has been at hand in the lives of the people,” said Father Navarro. “In a very special way…she accompanies each one of us. That is why here we promote this weapon of mass devotion, the rosary, which should be prayed by every child, by everyone, by every mother, and by every woman, because with that instrument…we will win the victory of our faith.”
A new tabernacle greeted the full house of more than 200 parishioners; a gift bought with the donations of generous parishioners and funds raised by the Lady’s Guild. While it was blessed during the Mass, Father Navarro reminded his flock of its importance.
“Why is the tabernacle there? Three reasons.” Father Navarro said. “To let us know the ever-present presence of the Lord in the temple… The consecrated Host will be there to take to the sick and the dying…and to come together to adore the Lord.”
After Mass, the Ge’ez Rite community sang a traditional Eritrean song, and in return parishioners shared a tradition of their own, dancing the Matlachines. The ritual is rooted in Mexico and has been integrated into the community.
Barbara Seuberling, a parishioner since 1970, attended Mass with her great-granddaughter. She was all smiles as she reminisced about the long line of children, grandchildren, and now her first great-grandchild, who grew up in the parish.
“It was always very small. When my children made their communions, there were only maybe two Catholics in the whole school. There weren’t many Catholics in North Carolina, until a lot of people moved here,” Seuberling said. “Now, we have a very lively and thriving community… This is really revived. The Spanish community has made it much more vibrant.”
Amanda Passmore, leader of the Lady’s Guild, celebrated with her two children, who are both altar servers, well past their bedtime. She helped host the reception, which included a smorgasbord of Hispanic and American food, and looks forward to a future filled with faith.
“I love our church. I love our people. I love the Church family. I love this,” Passmore said. “With the help of Father Huver and Father Oscar, we have really come together as an English- and Spanish-speaking congregation and my hope is that our efforts will continue, all for and through the Lord.”
— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by Sergio Lopez and Lisa M. Geraci
