SYLVA — Two joyous occasions, the installation of a new pastor and confirmation of 21 young people, brought together Bishop Peter J. Jugis, several priests and many parishioners July 11 at St. Mary, Mother of God Church.
Bishop Jugis presided over the installation of Father Casey Coleman as pastor of the Sylva parish, and administered the sacrament of confirmation to what is the parish’s largest-ever group of confirmandi.
Father Coleman, who was ordained in 2015, most recently served as parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. This is his first assignment as pastor, and he succeeds Father Joshua Voitus, who has been named pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church.
“We gather this evening for the joyful celebration of confirmation for the young people of our parish, and we are also gathering this day for the joyful celebration of welcoming your new pastor, Father Casey Coleman,” Bishop Jugis told the congregation.
During the installation rite at the start of Mass, Bishop Jugis described the duties and responsibilities of a pastor – primarily teaching, sanctifying and governing the faithful under the authority of the bishop. The official letter of appointment was read aloud by Deacon William Shaw.
“There is a lot in that letter of appointment,” Bishop Jugis noted. “It is a lot to do, but he is not going to do it by himself, because he has all of you to assist him in all of his various duties of shepherding St. Mary, Mother of God Parish.”
Father Coleman was then invited to the altar to make his profession of faith and the oath of fidelity. The official appointment documents were then signed by the bishop and Father Coleman in the presence of the congregation, and witnessed by Dr. David Ramsey.
During his homily, the bishop welcomed everyone who had come to St. Mary, Mother of God Church for the occasion. Former pastor Father Voitus, newly ordained Father Christian Cook, Holy Redeemer Church’s administrator Father George David Byers, and Dominican Father W. Becket Soule were among the clergy present. The bishop then encouraged the youth who would receive the sacrament of confirmation, emphasizing the importance of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“The Lord loves us so much that He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit that we might continue the work He did of bringing the Gospel message, and Gospel life and love, with us – through the power of the Holy Spirit that we received through confirmation – to all the world,” he said.
At the end of the Mass, Father Coleman thanked everyone and asked for their support and prayers.
“Through your prayers I will do all I can to love you all,” he said. “You are my family now and I look forward to spending as many years as His Excellency allows me to stay here to be your pastor, to love you, and to lead you closer to Christ.”
— Della Sue Bryson, Correspondent
CHARLOTTE — The Catholic News Herald recently received 16 awards for its work in 2016 from the Catholic Press Association of the U.S. and Canada.
The awards were presented during the Catholic Press Association’s annual conference June 21-23.
Winners were:
BEST PROMOTIONAL HOUSE AD
First Place: “Don't blend in; A reason to chirp; Don't wait on the mail; Stand out; It's easy being green” by Stephen Guilfoyle and Tim Faragher
BEST NEWS WRITING ON A NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL EVENT: National Event, Diocesan Newspaper
First Place: “Local annulment cases up after Pope Francis' reforms; Helping the hurting” by SueAnn Howell and Nancy Kopfle
BEST EDITORIAL PAGE OR EDITORIAL SECTION: Diocesan Newspaper
First Place: “Viewpoints” by Patricia L. Guilfoyle
BEST REPORTING ON VOCATIONS TO PRIESTHOOD, RELIGIOUS LIFE OR DIACONATE: Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circ. 25,001+
First Place: “Vocations: Heeding the call” by Catholic News Herald Staff
BEST COVERAGE OF THE YEAR OF MERCY: Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circ. 25,001+
First Place: “Making 'Room in the Inn' for the homeless; Mercy Moments series; Confession: The Sacrament of Mercy” by Father Patrick Winslow, SueAnn Howell, Rico De Silva and Father George David Byers
BEST LAYOUT OF ARTICLE OR COLUMN: Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circ. 25,001+
First Place: “Catholic Charities Week May 1-7: Strengthening families, building communities, reducing poverty” by Tim Faragher and Kathleen Durkin
BEST MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE: News Package
Second Place: “Easter Joy: Washed clean by His love” by SueAnn Howell, Kimberly Bender, Rico De Silva and Patricia Guilfoyle
BEST ANNUAL REPORT: (Arch)Diocesan Finances
Second Place: “Be Merciful, Just As Your Father Is Merciful” by Tim Faragher and Bill Weldon
BEST NEWS WRITING ON A LOCAL OR REGIONAL EVENT: Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circ. 25,001+
Second Place: “St. Matthew Church surpasses 10,000 registered families” by SueAnn Howell
BEST SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OR SPECIAL ISSUE WITH ADVERTISING EMPHASIS
Second Place: “2016 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress Guide” by Kevin Eagan, Patricia Guilfoyle and Tim Faragher
BEST COVERAGE OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: Diocesan newspaper
Second Place: “Calling for peace, justice in Charlotte; Charlotte parish mourns death of protester; Talking about race, Catholic style” by Patricia Guilfoyle and Rico De Silva
BEST ONLINE PRESENTATION OF MULTIMEDIA VISUALS (SPANISH)
Second Place: “Anglo Bilingual priest reaching out to Latinos” by Rico De Silva
BEST MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE: News Packagenesy
Third Place: “Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress” by Catholic News Herald Staff
BEST WEB AND PRINT COMBINATION PACKAGE
Honorable Mention: “Miami Circle: A lesson in social justice” by Patricia Guilfoyle and Rico De Silva
BEST PERSONALITY PROFILE: Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circ. 25,001+
Honorable Mention: “Through Campus Ministry, WCU student discovers a new life of faith” by Tim Reid
BEST MULTIPLE PICTURE PACKAGE: Feature Package
Honorable Mention: “A world of faith and fun” by Doreen Sugierski
— Catholic News Herald