Monsignor GaryCHARLOTTE — Pope Leo has given Father Paul Gary, pastor of St. Luke in Mint Hill, the honorary title of “Monsignor” for exceptional service to the Church.
“Monsignor” is a title granted by the pope, typically based on the local bishop’s recommendation. It is a rare honor from the Vatican, and it has been given to only a handful of priests in the Diocese of Charlotte since its founding in 1972.
On the Feast of All Saints Day, Bishop Michael Martin sent the news to priests: “I am pleased to announce that Pope Leo XIV has honored Father Paul Gary with the title of Chaplain of His Holiness!” Bishop Martin wrote.
“Monsignor Gary’s 42 years of priestly ministry has had wide-ranging impact on people and parishes,” Bishop Martin said. “He has built up the faith of the parishioners he has served and is well-known in our diocese for his loving and gracious spirit.”
Monsignor Gary was surprised and humbled by the news.
“I am deeply honored by becoming a Monsignor and I am extremely grateful to Pope Leo XIV and to my bishop, Bishop Martin, for bestowing this privilege upon me,” Monsignor Gary said. “It is not just my accomplishment, but something the whole parish can be proud of.”
Monsignor Gary is widely known as the “construction priest.” His leadership as pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Statesville and St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill resulted in new churches for those growing communities. While he was rector at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, he oversaw the completion of the parish’s Family Life Center.
Father Gary grew up on Long Island in New York as a cradle Catholic. He was educated in Catholic schools along with his four brothers, including his identical twin, Peter Gary, who is also a parishioner at St. Luke.
He attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1980 and was ordained by Bishop Michael Begley at St. Patrick Cathedral on Feb. 11, 1984.
His diocesan assignments ranged from parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville and St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte, to pastor at St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem and St. Philip the Apostle parish. In 1996, he became the rector at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte where he served until 2008. Then, he was assigned to St. Luke as pastor, where he has spent the last 18 years shepherding the growing parish.
More than 200 St. Luke parishioners and friends voiced their congratulations on the parish’s Facebook post announcing the new title.
“Congratulations to Monsignor Gary!” wrote Michelle Fabrize. “We are blessed to have such a faithful shepherd.”
As Father Andrew Templeton, parochial vicar at St. Luke noted, “This papal honor is not merely a recognition of past accomplishments, but also a testament to the many lives touched through Monsignor Gary's priesthood and his faithful service to the People of God.”
— Lisa M. Geraci
Related story: Father Paul Gary celebrates 40 years of priesthood