Editor's note: Monsignor Anthony J. Marcaccio celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood June 1. Born in Michigan in 1963 the youngest of four children, he grew up in Greenwood, S.C. He attended Francis Marion University and completed graduate studies at The Catholic University of America.
He is a member in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. After he was ordained in 1991, Monsignor Marcaccio first served parishes in Charlotte and western North Carolina, then for five years served as priest secretary to Bishop William G. Curlin. He also served as the diocese's vice chancellor in 2002.
He has served as pastor of St. Pius X Church and School in Greensboro since 2000, and has led the parish during a time of unprecedented growth and activity. A new church was built in 2010, and later this year the parish will open a new parish center and enlarge its school.
Monsignor Marcaccio talks with parishioner Frances Giaimo at his 25th anniversary celebration June 5 at St. Pius X Church. (Photo provided by Terry Rumley)I was reflecting with some friends on the upcoming silver jubilee of my priestly ordination and someone asked, "What is your most satisfying accomplishment? What you built at St. Pius?" I corrected him and said, "It's not what I've built, but what we've built together at St. Pius."
Our conversation reminded me of the great British architect Sir Christopher Wren, who designed among many things the huge and beautiful Anglican Cathedral of St. Paul's in London. His memorial tablet reads in Latin: "If you seek his monument, circumspice – look around." I hope in 25 years, and then after another 25 years, someone looking for my greatest accomplishment and the legacy of my priesthood wouldn't point to a school building, or parish center, or even a church – but would be circumspect, look around, and see a vibrant Catholic community living its faith in love.
Monsignor Marcaccio talks with parishioner Frances Giaimo at his 25th anniversary celebration June 5 at St. Pius X Church. (Photo provided by Terry Rumley)During my pastorate here at St. Pius X we have built a lot, but it wasn't my original intention. The buildings flow from our mission. I didn't come to St. Pius X to build a school, but to help build future Catholic moral leaders for our society. The parish center isn't my personal legacy, but a purpose-driven project to provide us the space for hospitality and parish-wide learning. It will be a tool of administration for efficient and effective ministry to more and more people.
Our church, our most important building, was built big and beautiful to accommodate our growth. And while there always are things I would have done differently, I was proud to present it to the diocese for dedication.
The most beautiful aspect of the church is when we gather for liturgies, so I suppose I would be happy to say, "There, be circumspect, look around and see this church. Look around and see these people being the Church. Look around and see this church being and bringing Christ to the community."
One of those things I would do differently is to place a memorial inscription on the front door of our church that spoke profoundly to me when I first read it on a church door in Boston: "This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate to heaven."
I hope that after 25 years people would think of the success of my priesthood in Jesus Christ in terms of a living legacy – not brick and mortar, not a building, not even a church door, but as someone who helped them open the Door of Mercy, that Living Door, the Gate through which the people of our parish were able to pass and develop that deep, abiding friendship with God.
— Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio