HUNTERSVILLE — Death and taxes. Both are inescapable. But as Catholics we know that death is not the end. Earth is just the first part of our journey home to the Father. His Kingdom is our ultimate goal.
But even as practicing Catholics, losing a loved one can be extremely difficult. That’s where the Bereavement Ministry at St. Mark Church in Huntersville can be a great comfort. The growing ministry launched group sessions to better serve parish families who have suffered a loss.
About 18 members serve in the parish ministry, which is led by Deacon Richard McCarron.
“When I was in formation in the diaconate, we were required to get involved in various diocesan ministries and they assigned me to work in bereavement support at a local hospital in their hospice program,” Deacon McCarron said. “I facilitated group sessions and I was astounded to see the healing that took place there and how the participants helped each other after realizing that everybody grieved differently. It was truly an eye-opening experience for me.”
The bereavement team reaches out to the family of the deceased by attending the viewing and offering condolences on behalf of the parish family. On the day of the funeral they attend the Mass, distribute the Mass booklets and generally assist the family with whatever they need.
Nancy McGahey is one of the team members. “I am the registration person,” McGahey said. “When people call I answer any questions they may have and gather their contact information. Each person I speak with is totally different than the next, with the exception that each one has suffered a loss. I never rush the calls and never try to ‘squeeze’ them in between something else that I’m doing, because I would hate to cut someone off as they are sharing about their loss. Some folks just get the time and date information of the group sessions, while others want to share every detail and I feel like that is part of what I can offer – just an ear.”
Even after the funeral, the Bereavement Ministry is there to support the family.
“When we moved to St. Mark Parish from New Jersey, we found that they had a wonderful bereavement support group already in place,” said Deacon McCarron. “The one component missing was the group sessions. To rectify this, we had about 12 people trained to become facilitators so that we could start bereavement sessions in our parish.”
The sessions are running for eight consecutive weeks with the last session in November. On All Souls Day a Mass of Remembrance will be offered. At the Mass the names of all those who were buried from St. Mark Church that year are announced and a candle is lit in memory of the deceased.
Deacon McCarron leads all the sessions, which open with a thought-provoking idea either through a video, a poem or a story. Then participants can share what is on their mind. No one is forced to speak and what is said during the sessions is kept confidential.
McGahey is also a facilitator at the sessions. “Like so many things in life where that little voice inside whispers in your ear, I had thought about Bereavement Ministry, but it took Deacon Rich to invite me into this ministry,” McGahey shared. “You should never underestimate that little voice that we often hear. And truly, being part of the Bereavement Ministry has been a gift where I have received much more than I feel I have given.”
After the sessions are over, on the first anniversary of their loved one’s death, a team member sends the family a card from St. Mark Bereavement Ministry so they know they are not forgotten.
— Diana Patulak Ross, correspondent
Learn more
For more information about St. Mark Parish’s Bereavement Ministry, call Nancy McGahey at 704-608-7067 or email Deacon Rich McCarron at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
‘Spreading the love of God all over the world’
CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School graduate Melina Tirrell is taking a leap of faith. Instead of heading off to college this fall with her peers, she is setting off on a worldwide mission called the World Race.
Tirrell, a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, left Charlotte Sept. 10 to volunteer with The World Race, a Christian mission that challenges young adults “to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it’s not about you; it’s about the Kingdom.”
She will be serving people in Costa Rica, South Africa, Thailand and Myanmar over the course of her nine-month mission trip.
Tirrell explains that ministry on the World Race includes anything from working in orphanages, mentoring street kids, befriending those trapped in human trafficking, going on door-to-door outreach, doing manual labor, teaching English, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and much more.
“My sister had given me the idea to take a gap year,” Tirrell explains. “When she brought it up, my very first thought was, ‘No, I have to go straight to college like everyone else.’ But I quickly realized, ‘Yeah, I have to go to college, but why do I have to go right after high school?’”
She started researching gap year programs and things all kind of fell into place from there, she says.
Tirrell shares that she has a family friend who completed the race a few years ago, and when she was looking for programs she remembered her.
“The funny thing was, when I brought the idea to my mom about doing the World Race Gap Year, she told me that she had recently heard about it over social media and thought it would be awesome.”
Mom Lori Tirrell says she is excited for Melina to embark on this journey.
“While I have a range of emotion as she prepares to leave, travel and serve for nine months, I remain focused on doing my best to trust that she is following God’s plan. As I look back, I take comfort in seeing how God has been preparing Melina her whole life to serve.”
Lori shares that it has also been amazing to see how God has revealed Himself to their family in so many ways, through so many people over the past several months with connections made, fundraising, etc., as Melina prepares to leave for the mission trip.
“Through this experience Melina has been bold in expressing her beliefs and relying on God through prayer. Her Catholic faith has been strengthened, and I am confident that, in her words, as she ‘lets go and lets God,’ her relationship with Jesus will grow even deeper,” Lori says.
Tirrell’s father Ed shares that as Melina’s dad, his mission has been to protect and nurture her with unconditional love.
“Watching Melina grow into a loving, confident young woman has been an incredible journey,” he says. “She will soon embark on an amazing nine-month mission trip to serve others, and I am at peace knowing God will be with her every step of the way.”
In order to participate in The World Race, Tirrell has had to fund raise on her own.
“Most of my donations have been made directly to my blog,” she explains. She sold about 200 T-shirts and conducted an “adopt-a-box” fundraiser where donors could “adopt” a box (numbered 1-100) and that’s how much they donated.
“My financial goal is $15,800 set by the Adventures in Missions Organization. I currently have raised about $12,714,” Tirrell says.
Starting Sept. 10, she will be in Costa Rica the first three months of the World Race. From there, she will travel to South Africa for another three months, then serve in Thailand for two months, then in Myanmar for the final month.
“A few weeks ago I went to our 10-day training camp. Just in those 10 days I felt an incredible impact on my Catholic faith,” Tirrell notes.
“I’ve already seen God move in amazing ways through my team in prayer and petition just from those 10 days. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me in these next nine months as I grow with Him on this journey I am about to embark on!
“The reason I chose the World Race is because it gives me the opportunity to follow my passion of serving others while spreading the love of God all over the world! Who wouldn’t choose that over going straight to college?”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Help Tirrell in her mission
Want to help Tirrell meet her goal or follow her along on her journey? Go online to her blog at www.melinatirrell.theworldrace.org. More information about the World Race is at www.worldrace.org.
Poles honor the Blessed Virgin Mary of Jasna Gora
CHARLOTTE — The seventh annual diocesan Polish Mass was celebrated Aug. 26 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, which this year fell on the feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Hundreds of Catholics of Polish heritage, as well as parishioners of Anglo, Hispanic, Filipino, Asian and African descent attended the Mass.
Father Matt Nycz, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Tonawanda, N.Y., celebrated the Mass. He was assisted by Deacon James Witulski.
“Today, on Aug. 26, falls the feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Jasna Gora (Bright Hill) in the city of Czestochowa, Poland,” Father Nycz said during his homily. “Poles honor Mary as the Mother, the Queen and the Protectress of the Polish nation. Jasna Gora is seen as the spiritual capital of Poland.
“In the most difficult moments of history, Poles go to Mary, the Mother of God. There are all kinds of annual pilgrimages to that special place from all over Poland and abroad. The best known Polish saints connected to Divine Mercy also went to visit the Black Madonna in Czestochowa,” he noted.
Father Nycz shared that St. Faustina visited Czestochowa on her way to the convent in Vilnius in May 1933, soon after taking her perpetual vows.
“In her Diary, St. Faustina recalls that when her prayers before the Virgin were interrupted by another sister summoning her to breakfast six hours later, ‘...it seemed to me that I had just come ... The Mother of God told me many things. I entrusted my perpetual vows to her. I felt that I was her child and that She was my Mother. She did not refuse any of my requests’ (260).”
He explained that the two other great saints of mercy, St. John Paul II and Blessed Michael Sopocko, whose relics were also present for veneration after the Mass, are closely connected to Black Madonna and St. Faustina. Both were chosen by God to promote the message and devotion of Divine Mercy at different time and different ways.
“God’s mercy is very much needed in the world and the Church today,” Father Nycz said. “It is God’s answer to the evil and senseless suffering of many people caught up in the circle of wars, violence and betrayal.”
He pointed out that the icon of the Black Madonna is unique in its depicting Mary with scars on her face. The tradition holds the scars were a result of a violent assault with a sword by people who attacked the monastery and wanted to destroy the icon. They did not succeed.
Later, despite attempts by painters to cover the scars, they always came back to the surface.
“Her gaze is set straight at us as if inviting us to notice her scars,” Father Nycz said. “At the same time her hand points to her baby Jesus, as if echoing St. Peter from today’s Gospel: ‘Master, to whom shall we go? ...You are the Holy One of God.’”
Prior to Mass, people lined up for hours to receive the sacrament of reconciliation in Polish, English or Spanish.
After Mass, a steady stream of the faithful venerated the first-class relics of the three Apostles of Divine Mercy – St. John Paul II, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and Blessed Father Michael Sopocko, the spiritual advisor and confessor of St. Faustina. They also enjoyed a reception with traditional Polish food after the liturgy.
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by Doreen Sugierski, correspondent
CHARLOTTE — Vincentian Father Abel Osorio, parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Church in Greensboro, has been suspended from ministry and an investigation has been launched by his order following the reporting of an allegation that he massaged the shoulders of a child.
According to a Sept. 7 statement from the Congregation of the Mission Eastern Province USA and the Diocese of Charlotte, “This week it was reported to the pastor that, approximately a year ago, Father Abel Osorio had inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old girl by massaging her on her shoulders during a public event held in the parish.”
“We are taking this allegation very seriously. Father Abel has been suspended from religious ministry and is prohibited from engaging in priestly duties while this accusation is investigated,” said Vincentian Father Steve Grozio, provincial for the order’s Eastern province, which is based in Philadelphia and oversees the Vincentian priests who serve in the Charlotte diocese.
According to David Hains, spokesman for the Charlotte diocese, the incident is alleged to have occurred at the church in Greensboro. Hains said diocesan officials were made aware of the allegation Sept. 7 “and immediately acted.”
Among its other ministries, the Eastern province staffs parishes in Philadelphia, New York, Maryland and Alabama.
Besides St. Mary’s Church, the order staffs Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte.
Father Osorio, who is from Mexico, ministered to Hispanic Catholics at the Greensboro parish.
The parish recently welcomed a new pastor, Vincentian Father William M. Allegretto, who replaces Vincentian Father Charles Strollo effective Sept. 10.
According to Hains, the parish’s leadership and staff have been notified and parishioners will be notified at this weekend’s Masses.
“The Vincentian Fathers and the Diocese of Charlotte condemn all forms of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse, especially concerning a child,” the statement from the Vincentian provincial and the Charlotte diocese stated.
“We are committed to providing a safe environment in our ministries and will take aggressive action when that commitment is violated. Any person who suspects, or has knowledge of, an incident of possible sexual misconduct by any church personnel of the Diocese of Charlotte is urged to immediately report the incident by reporting it to the pastor, or by calling the Chancery at 704-370-6299, or notifying the Department of Social Services.”
— Catholic News Herald
TRYON — Father Jason Christian was installed Aug. 6 as pastor of St. John the Baptist Church – his first assignment as a pastor for the Diocese of Charlotte.
The former parochial vicar of St. Michael Church in Gastonia, Father Christian is also the academic dean for the 21 men studying at St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte.
During the installation rite at the start of the Mass, Deacon Art Kingsley read aloud Father Christian’s official letter of appointment. Bishop Peter Jugis and the congregation then witnessed Father Christian make his profession of faith, renew his oath of fidelity to the Church, and sign the official Church documents of his new office.
His documents were witnessed by Father Patrick Winslow, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, a former pastor of Father Christian's and a former pastor of the Tryon parish.
Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville; Father Matthew Buettner, spiritual director of St. Joseph College Seminary; and Father Jason Barone, promoter of vocations for the Diocese of Charlotte, were present. Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, served as master of ceremonies for the installation Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Jugis welcomed everyone who attended the installation Mass and expressed his joy in seeing a full church during the standing-room-only Mass.
He also took time to carefully explain Father Christian’s new responsibilities as pastor, emphasizing that a pastor must do three primary things: teach, sanctify and lead his parishioners.
“What is the mission of the pastor?” Bishop Jugis asked. “The mission of a pastor is to prepare you for eternal life. The mission of a pastor is salvation… You are his mission.”
The letter of appointment read at the beginning of the Mass further describes in detail what that duty entails, the bishop said: the office of teaching, the office of sanctifying and the office of pastoral governance are broken down.
“In the office of teaching…ultimately the pastor is in charge of what is brought to the faithful of the parish,” Bishop Jugis explained.
He noted that Father Christian making his profession of faith at the beginning of the Mass was done so that all would know that he will present the unadulterated faith of the Church which has been passed on by the apostles from Jesus Himself.
At his installation Mass, the pastor – not the deacon, as is usually the case – proclaims the Gospel, the bishop noted. That signifies that the pastor is ultimately in charge for the proclamation of the Gospel message to the people of his parish.
Through the devout and reverent celebration of the sacraments, a pastor provides his people with the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
“He is in charge of the sacramental and spiritual life of the parish,” Bishop Jugis pointed out.
A pastor is also charged with the office of pastoral governance, to make sure that parish life and all of its ministries are well organized, harmoniously working together and that everything is in good order in the parish, the bishop continued.
He then reminded Father Christian of an important line in the appointment letter: "The model for your pastoral ministry is the Good Shepherd Himself, Jesus."
“So keep bringing everything back to Jesus,” he told the young priest, who he had ordained in 2013. “He is the model that the pastor follows, whether it be the office of teaching, the office of sanctifying or the office of pastoral governance.
“Jesus is the model. Jesus is front and center and everything comes from Him.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. Photos by SueAnn Howell and Giuliana Riley.
