HICKORY — For St. Aloysius parishioners Mike and Theresa Bennett, Sept. 6 is a milestone: Today they celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary, and they're still having fun.
"Marrying Theresa is my joy," says Mike, who will turn 99 in November. “The first time I laid eyes on Theresa, I knew she was the girl I was going to marry.”
The couple met at the “bandstand” in Au Sable Forks, N.Y., the popular spot in town where musicians played the latest tunes and people came out to enjoy the evening.
Theresa reminisces, “I could tell right away that Mike was a good person and he was very handsome.”
On one of their first dates, Mike took Theresa to a restaurant, which was a new experience for her. She didn’t know what to order. Finally, she chose a grilled cheese sandwich. Theresa and Mike chuckle as Theresa recounts the story – she does not like grilled cheese sandwiches.
On Sept. 6, 1937, the couple were married before the last blessing at the 7 a.m. Mass. After Mass, they hopped into Mike’s car for a honeymoon to adventurous New Hampshire. While they were there, they could visit Theresa’s sister.
Life wasn’t easy for the newlyweds, who were trying to manage on $17 a week. A few years later, World War II brought on more financial hardships for the country, but they tightened their belts and were happy to be together.
Finances got easier for them after Mike landed a job with General Electric, which tripled his income.
While Mike was at work, Theresa took on the challenge of raising their five boys. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom, caring for her family.
The couple packed up and moved each time Mike was promoted at GE. In the mid-1970s his job brought them to Hickory, where he was sent to set up a new GE plant.
Years later Mike retired from GE and the couple chose to remain in Hickory, where they have a lovely home with a beautiful view of Lake Hickory.
Besides their five sons, they have 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Their successful marriage is the epitome of a lifelong commitment to each other and to their Catholic faith, they say.
Their secret to remaining happily married for eight decades?
“Don’t go to bed angry," Theresa says. The 96-year-old adds, "You can’t be too independent in a marriage. You need each other and you should do everything together.”
Mike chimes in, “Theresa is right."
— Bobby Spears, correspondent
MOORESVILLE — Father Mark Lawlor was officially installed Aug. 31 as pastor of St. Thérèse Church, the third largest parish in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Father Lawlor comes to the Mooresville parish from St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, where he was pastor for the past 14 years. He is the first diocesan priest in 47 years, following the relocation of the Jesuits of the Province of Maryland who had served the parish since 1970.
During the installation rite at the start of the Mass, Deacon Joe Santen read aloud Father Lawlor’s official letter of appointment. Bishop Peter Jugis and the congregation then witnessed Father Lawlor make his profession of faith, renew his oath of fidelity to the Church, and sign the official Church documents of his new office.
During his homily, Bishop Jugis welcomed everyone who attended the installation Mass. The parish’s new parochial vicars Father Paul McNulty and Father Henry Tutuwan were present, as well as Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, and Father Lucas Rossi, his parochial vicar. Deacon Myles Decker of St. Thérèse Parish also assisted at the Mass.
“When a pastor arrives at his parish for the first time, there are a multiplicity of demands that are suddenly thrust upon him, a lot to do and a lot to learn immediately as he begins his ministry,” Bishop Jugis said.
St. Thérèse Parish, which has more than 4,000 families, is more than twice the size of Father Lawlor’s former parish, he noted. “You can imagine the multiplicity of demands that are placed upon his shoulders that he has to address.”
But above all this day-to-day work, a pastor must remain focused on three essential duties, Bishop Jugis emphasized: he must teach, sanctify and lead his parishioners.
A pastor has the responsibility to teach the faith, the bishop said, so making the profession of faith at his installation – in front of the bishop and the entire congregation – is important. “He is telling the faithful he will accept the faith, embrace the faith, profess the faith in their midst and lead them in the profession and practice of that faith.”
A pastor renews his oath of fidelity to the Church, the bishop also explained, to demonstrate publicly that he will be faithful to what the Gospel demands, faithful to what the Church teaches, and faithful to the practices and the discipline of the Church.
“These are very significant statements for someone who is placed in such an important position – the care of souls, the salvation of souls, the most important job on the face of the earth, salvation,” Bishop Jugis said.
At his installation Mass, the pastor – not the deacon – proclaims the Gospel, the bishop noted. “That signifies that the pastor is ultimately in charge for passing on the teaching of the Gospel, the teaching of Christ and the teaching of the faith in his parish.”
Besides his teaching role, the pastor must also offer the sacraments of the Church to the faithful, Bishop Jugis said.
“It’s appropriate that an installation of the pastor takes place at the Mass, because the Mass is the most important work of the priest. It’s the most important work of the parish. It’s the most important work of the Church. It’s the offering of the Sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of the world to give honor and praise and glory to Almighty God in heaven.
“All of the ministries of the Church really take their power, their force and their strength from the altar, from Jesus, His Real Presence here.”
At Mass we are transformed by receiving Christ in the Eucharist, he said. We become more Christ-like; we grow in faith, hope and charity; and we are called to share that faith, hope and love in everything we do outside of church.
“You might look at the altar, or the Eucharist, Jesus’ Real Presence, as the bright sun shining in the universe of the parish,” he suggested. “There are rays emanating out from that Eucharist, from that sun, into all of the ministries of the parish, giving light and the warmth of Christ’s love to all of those ministries.”
Lastly, a pastor is responsible for governing the parish, the bishop said. Beyond making sure that everything is organized and that the buildings are cared for, it means he is also charged with getting to know the parish’s families.
In conclusion Bishop Jugis joked, “Do you think that is enough?”, eliciting laughter from the congregation.
“I think it is. But you know, he doesn’t do it all by himself – because you are here. He depends upon all of you to lend your support and to assist in the vitality of the whole parish life, that it keeps moving forward and shining as a bright light of Christ here in this section of our diocese.”
At the end of Mass, Father Lawlor recalled advice he received from a professor in the seminary: when a new pastor arrives, he should learn the parish’s history.
“I have always followed that in my previous assignments,” he said, and over the past seven weeks he has been doing the same thing in Mooresville. He read the parish’s history, listened to longtime parish employees, and made a pilgrimage with both parochial vicars to the old church building on Main Street.
“I know, in my brief time here, of the great dedication and talent and perseverance we can see in the work of the Church here,” he said. “I thank Bishop Jugis for the confidence he had in appointing me here.”
He quipped, “I would have been happy to have gone to a small parish in the mountains...,” then he continued earnestly, “I, without hesitation, accepted the assignment that was presented to me.
“I have learned in my 22 years as a priest that in every assignment there are unexpected graces, really bountiful graces, and I can see that is the case here in Mooresville.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
This year the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 17.
The 2017 theme is “Living as Missionary Disciples.” Those who the parish community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry.
Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of their baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for everyone to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith. Below are stories of parishes that are trying new catechetical approaches for youth and adults.
Resources online
At www.usccb.org: Download resources including prayer cards, and read more about how encourage people, especially young people and families, to become missionary disciples
CHARLOTTE — On a hot Sunday afternoon you can hear the music before you see the packed cars of young men cruising into Our Lady of Consolation Church’s gymnasium parking lot. The metal doors to the gym are bolted shut.
A look of slight disappointment sets in. “Hey, man, I know you’re in there. Open up!” someone yells while gently knocking. A roar of laughter mixed with relief surrounds the crowd as Coach Morris “Rocky” Whitaker swings open the door. Whitaker smiles, wipes his brow, and demands the group to dress out while he cheerfully high fives each person.
Ten minutes later, the group of six turns into a group of 20, with more people trickling in after that. Some are coming for the first time. Some consider this gym their home – a Sunday routine with their children, their wives, their grandchildren. Basketballs bounce on the newly renovated gym floor.
Whitaker finishes sweeping, and a young man hands him a dollar. “Remember who helps you sweep,” he jokes.
“Got to keep these lights on,” Whitaker replies with a grin.
“Some dudes bring in a dollar every week, some bring nothing and then one day they give over $10. It depends. It’s really not about the money,” Whitaker explains. “You see that guy right there, Jazrael? He’s grown up here. He’s bringing his kid around here now. See her? Ebony just graduated. You gotta talk to Award – he’s something else, he’s been here for a while. There’s another one ... oh yeah, Marcus, he’ll tell you.”
As Whitaker points, he’s interrupted with shouts from across the court. “Hey, Coach! Watch this guy right here…”
Balls are bouncing, three-pointers swishing and all types of pre-game “smack” talk is getting thrown down. The crowd gets larger, bleachers fill up, chairs are dragged out for newcomers.
Whitaker looks at his watch, then grabs his clipboard. “They’re waiting for me.”
He chooses two captains, including Ebony, the only girl on the court.
Award explains, “So it goes like this: you got the winners and the losers. The losers are on the left, the winners on the right. We play four on four. If your team wins five in a row, you get your picture taken and put into the Hall of Fame.
“I’ve been coming to this place since I was 25; I’m 33. It means a lot to me. Good atmosphere. Competitive, but in a controlled environment. Not like street ball, when you got bros yelling and fighting more than playing.”
Whitaker points to names from a list displayed on a poster for the Annual Benefit Concert held once a year to support the OLC Sports Leadership Initiative. The latest concert was held Aug. 20.
“These guys all came up through here, all going to college, graduating. Some have full scholarships,” he says. “This one, he needed a book – $250 for a book. Can you believe that? One book! We got him that book, though.”
His hand moves slowly across six photographs above the list of names. “These are the ones that passed. This one here, this is my son, Morrison Whitaker. This one had an illness, this one was in a wreck, these two went out one night and never came back.”
His finger drops. A caption on the flyer states, “The OLC Sports Leadership Initiative is inspired by the memory of Morris Whitaker and the SLI family.”
“We do the benefit concert once a year to raise money for the gym. We made $2,600, enough to go on for another eight to nine months and sponsor some kids for summer camp.”
Whitaker may understate the importance of the benefit concert, but it is a genuine experience with inspirational music and unique talent. His nephew, Matthew Whitaker, has been one of the performers. Born blind, he began playing the piano when he was 3. He is nationally renowned for his ability and has even played at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Back on the court, a commotion erupts. “You’re traveling!” “Tell him, Coach!”
Co-Coach Randy Dupree quickly resolves the situation and gets everybody playing again.
“This has been my life every Sunday for the last 20 years,” Coach Dupree says proudly. “I keep them from getting in trouble. We’ve seen a lot of kids come through here. We even got one playing for the Raiders. Word gets out about this place. People come in here from all walks of life, but we just take ’em where they are and coach them.”
Player Kiki Burton adds, “Education is important. I graduated from North Carolina Central. Coach wants these guys to go down the right path, get an education. I used to work at the detention center. I would always recommend this place to the released. I have been coming here with my dad since I was young and it is just such a positive, safe spot.”
LaMarcus Taylor has played since he was in middle school and now his son, Little Marcus, is playing today. “At first, this was like a getaway place from my problems. It was a positive outlet and I enjoyed coming. The first time it hit, like, wow, this place is it, was when a situation occurred. Someone took something, stole something. Coach stepped in in a way I have never seen. He sat us down and taught us about positivity and family. I looked around and I thought to myself, ‘This is how a man acts. This is how I want to behave as a man.’ Ever since, we’ve been family. It started in the gym. Now, it is outings and dinners, everything. We see each other all the time. My son asks me about this place every Friday. He loves coming here almost as much as I do.”
Whitaker stops the game for a second and announces he wants to snap a group picture. Quickly the teams gather in the middle of the court while he directs who stands and sits. He tells them, “Believe it or not, guys, we are making a difference in this community!” He holds up a copy of the Catholic News Herald. “They want to write a story on us. We are changing people.”
The group glows with accomplishment and satisfaction, not because of the story, but because of Whitaker’s compliment.
Each Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. you can find Whitaker and the rest of the OLC Sports Leadership team in the gym with the players and a few well-worn basketballs, and a growing list of people with bright futures.
— Lisa Geraci, Correspondent
Want to support the OLC Sports Leadership Initiative?
If you are compelled by the work of the OLC Sports Leadership Initiative, please send donations to: Our Lady of Consolation Church Sports Leadership Team, 1235 Badger Ct., Charlotte, N.C. 28206.
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has purchased land in Mount Holly for the permanent location of St. Joseph College Seminary.
The diocese closed on the $1.4 million purchase of the 86-acre site, located approximately two miles from Belmont Abbey College, on Sept. 11.
St. Joseph College Seminary was founded in 2016 for undergraduate men discerning a possible religious vocation, before considering the step of enrolling in a major seminary for specific formation to the priesthood. Students work toward a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Belmont Abbey College while experiencing a Benedictine-style communal life on their path of discernment.
Only in its second year, the college seminary’s enrollment is 16 men. Students are being temporarily housed in two separate residences adjacent to the campus of St. Ann Church in Charlotte – the former Poor Clares convent behind St. Ann School and a house on Hillside Avenue. Neither building has room for more students.
The unexpected growth in enrollment is “a fantastic problem,” said Father Matthew Kauth, rector.
“We never expected to grow this fast,” he said. “The Lord has blessed us and He continues to do so.”
“Last year we began (the college seminary) with a full house, and knowing the men were returning and more were entering, we purchased the house on Hillside Avenue,” he continued. “This year we had nine spaces available and we had nine men apply. We’re at the same crossroads for next year: two men are graduating, but we already have four or five men who want to apply.”
Construction plans call for the college seminary to be developed in two phases, but even those plans are being modified as diocesan officials strive to accommodate the unexpectedly high enrollment.
Originally, the plan was to house up to 20 students in a 17,000-square-foot building, and future expansion plans to double that to 40 students. Because enrollment is already nearing 20 men, diocesan planners have accelerated those plans, now moving forward with a 27,000-square-foot building that can house up to 40 men at the start.
Besides 40 dormitory-style rooms, the main building will include academic spaces, administrative offices, four faculty offices, a guest suite, a gathering space and refectory, chapel and study space. The projected cost to complete phase one is approximately $15 million.
The second phase of the project would be to construct the seminary’s permanent chapel.
“We’ve conceptually designed this beautiful chapel for St. Joseph’s Collage Seminary, but the construction of this crowning jewel will need to completed during the second phase of our development,” said Anthony Morlando, director of Diocesan Properties. “During phase one of the project, the temporary chapel will be located in the refectory, which is a beautiful space washed in natural light, and quite fitting for use as a temporary chapel.”
The diocese is partnering with architectural firm Michael G. Imber Architects of San Antonio, Texas, and Creech & Associates PLLC of Charlotte to design the American Gothic style building. They hope to finish revising the plans over the next several months, but construction cannot begin in earnest until fundraising efforts are complete.
Fundraising has brought in $4.5 million so far, Father Kauth said, but the original project cost estimate of $7.5 million has risen to $15 million because the plans were enlarged to accommodate twice as many men, the original plans did not anticipate the need to purchase land, and because of price increases in the construction market.
Father Kauth said he is continuing his fundraising efforts outside the diocese this year, and he hopes to begin concentrated fundraising work in the diocese in the fall of 2018.
The need for a college seminary in the diocese to nurture priestly vocations is clearer than ever, Father Kauth noted.
“We thought that there was a need, that there was a desire, but you never know if it’s going to come to fruition. Since it has produced a yield 10-, 20- and 100-fold, now we have to step out in faith again and say, ‘We don’t have five years to live in an old convent. We have got to build now to house these men and not send them away for someone else to form them,’” he said.
“They are coming because they want to be formed here. They want to be among their parishes, their priests, their people. It’s really spurring on their vocations. It’s been do-ing exactly what we had hoped. I just didn’t think it would yield such a huge crop!”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter