Pictured: Father Carl Del Giudice congratulates members of Our Lady of Consolation Church's Ladies Rosary Society for their service in 2014. The Rosary Society, just one of the parish's many outreach ministries, makes rosaries and organizes an annual parish dinner with proceeds going to help Our Lady of Consolation's needy. Father Carl says that over his 35 years of priesthood, he has learned that "the heart and beauty of the Church is born and lived in the family, but celebrated in the life of the parish." (File, Rico De Silva, Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — Growing up, Father Carl Del Giudice enjoyed a happy family life in both his native New Jersey and southern California.
A cradle Catholic whose mother was a convert to Catholicism, Father Carl (as he prefers to be called) received a Catholic school education which introduced him to both Franciscans and Carmelites during his years at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Gardena, Calif., and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Tenafly, N.J., where he was taught by the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station.
"My brother and I were raised in the faith without what I identify as cultural baggage," Father Carl explains. "In that home our parents raised two sons, one of whom is married for 36 years and me a priest for 35 years."
Father Carl, pastor of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, says he had the first inkling of a vocation when he was 10 years old, but then again, at that age he also wanted to be a Hollywood movie actor and fireman.
"It was not until I was attending university at Appalachian State University that the priesthood raised its adult head on occasion," he recalls. "Upon graduation, I took a teaching position at Niagara University. During my tenure I went through a period of personal discernment in my professional development and future."
At that point, he felt a strong call to the priesthood. He sought out the vocations office of the Diocese of Charlotte. After attending seminary, he was ordained a priest of the diocese on May 30, 1981, by Bishop Michael J. Begley at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.
Father Carl's first assignment was that summer as the assistant administrator of Our Lady of the Hills Camp in Hendersonville.
"At the conclusion of the camping season, I was assigned as parochial vicar to St. Eugene Church in Asheville. Since then I have had assignments in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Albemarle, Franklin, Highlands, Sylva, Cullowhee and Brevard."
He served more than 30 years in the far western mountain parishes, 20 of those years in Brevard.
"The heart and beauty of the Church is born and lived in the family, but celebrated in the life of the parish," he says. "Celebrating the rhythms of life from sacraments of initiation, marriage, healing and funerals are what make us unique. Catholicism is a very earthy religion."
He says that over the past 35 years of priestly ministry he has learned quite a lot.
"As much as I enjoy being involved with people and their lives, I do not behold fools well," he says.
And, he says, "Bishop Begley told us as seminarians and priests not to get in the way of the Holy Spirit."
"Another lesson is that as a pastor (I learned) to always surround myself with people who are smarter than me. They are to be the best catechists, bookkeeper, director of music, ministerial leaders, etc. I never surround myself with people I feel that I can control."
Father Carl explains that his interests are truly catholic – that is, universal. "Sunday Mass is African-American Gospel music. But I enjoy time with a Mozart chamber piece, Italian opera and even a John Philip Sousa march."
As an American of Italian heritage he also enjoys food. "Italian restaurants were practically nonexistent 48 years ago. To make up for the dearth of this 'soul food,' I taught myself to cook Italian like back home. My fried chicken could be chicken Marsala or chicken piccata. I also enjoy dishes from Scandinavia that I am now trying to master."
His advice for men discerning a call to ministry?
"To any man considering or entertaining a vocation to the priesthood, the Holy Eucharist must be at the core of spiritual life, along with a developing prayer life. I say 'developing,' since a life of prayer is never static but growing and evolving. A man can find strength, solace and inspiration in prayer."
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter