CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has a new Respect Life program director. Jessica Grabowski takes over the position from outgoing director Jennifer Ganser.
“On behalf of Catholic Charities, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the pro-life ministry leadership of the outgoing Respect Life program director, Jennifer Ganser,” said Joe Purello, director of Catholic Charities’ Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy, which oversees the diocese’s Respect Life activities.
“Her frequent communications with parishes, especially parish pro-life coordinators, her work in making this past August’s Respect Life Conference a success and her assistance in providing a smooth transition to a our new Respect Life program director are all greatly appreciated.”
Grabowski, a member of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America, earning both a bachelor’s degree in psychology and masters degree In business analysis. She worked for many years in event planning and management in Washington, D.C., before relocating to Charlotte in 2014. She and her husband Paul have two children.
“I am extremely excited to take on my new role with Catholic Charities as the Respect Life program director,” Grabowski said. “I have always been a steadfast pro-life supporter and advocate in my professional and personal life. The importance of respecting and protecting life from conception until natural death, and the promotion and nurturing of marriage and family life, are issues I am extremely passionate about.”
Purello believes Grabowski will be an effective advocate for pro-life ministry in the diocese. “Her passion and enthusiasm for promoting a respect for all human life is very evident,” he said. “She possesses a ‘can-do’ attitude and has really hit the ground running in her new leadership position in our diocese.”
“In this role I hope to strengthen and grow all Respect Life ministries in our parishes and heighten awareness of our fight for life in families, communities and parishes across our diocese. I hope to collaborate with all of our parishes in the near future to put on more Respect Life events for their parishioners and communities.
“I am honored to join Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in their mission, and I look forward to fulfilling my role of supporting these ministries,” Grabowski said.
For more information about the diocesan Respect Life Ministry, go to www.ccdoc.org/services/family-enrichment/respect-life. Grabowski can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
LENOIR — Father Stephen M. Hoyt was installed as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church by Bishop Peter Jugis during a bilingual Mass Oct. 30.
A Philadelphia area native, Father Hoyt was ordained to the priesthood in 1992. He has served in various ministries in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina, including parishes, hospitals, schools and retreat work, as well as mission work in Africa.
In the Diocese of Charlotte, he previously served at Holy Family Church in Clemmons and St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. In a letter to parishioners, he wrote, “I look forward to sharing ministry with you as the Lord calls each of us.
I cannot express well enough in words how much your prayful and communal support means to me.
Truly I can promise you that you and your loved ones are in my prayers. Let us walk this journey together keeping in mind the Spirit of God that has brought us together and is in our midst; protecting us, guiding us, loving us and saving us with His Divine Mercy.”
— Jeanine Russell | Catholic News Herald
See more pictures on the parish’s Facebook page