CHARLOTTE — Regular Mass-goers get to know the faces of their fellow parishioners, often sitting in the same pew at the same Mass time.
But too often we do not really know the people we see each week at Mass. A face becoming more well-known to local Catholics with each class he teaches is Michael Coyle.
Coyle grew up in Belmont and has been a member of various Charlotte parishes since moving back to the area. After attending and working at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he earned a theology degree, Coyle obtained an information systems job at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in 1991. Since 2011, he has been employed at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., as a programmer/analyst and he attends St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.
Despite being in the software profession, Coyle had a calling as a teacher and has been teaching religious education for 36 years. He has led classes at both St. John Neumann and St. Thomas Aquinas churches in Charlotte, including those for confirmation preparation and RCIA. He has taught classes on the “Living the Good News Focus” series on each of the four Gospels, Church history, the “Doors of Mercy: Exploring God’s Covenant With You” series, and the “Catholicism” video series by Bishop Robert Barron.
Coyle began teaching faith formation classes in Greensboro, during his freshman year in college, when he was asked to replace a sixth-grade teacher for the remainder of the school year.
To Coyle, teaching the faith is a powerful way to evangelize.
“Catholicism is so rich,” he says. “All Catholics are called to be fully invested, engaged missionary disciples, personally connected to Christ Jesus, and alive in the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for the Second Vatican Council, since it was all about renewing the interior life and the outreach of Catholics. The New Evangelization means that Catholics are called to be explicit in sharing the marvelous gift of their faith.”
Most recently he taught the 10-week “Catholicism” class at All Saints Church in Lake Wylie, S.C., in the Diocese of Charleston after being asked by the pastor, following his offering of studies on the Sunday Mass readings to Catholic campus ministry students at Winthrop University, at the Oratory in Rock Hill.
His reputation as a knowledgeable and enjoyable theology teacher has spread so much that members of different parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte and beyond can be found sitting in his classroom.
A recent student was Dominican Sister Zeny Mofada. “I attended Michael’s adult religious education class using the insightful and moving ‘Doors of Mercy: Exploring God’s Covenant With You’ video series,” said Sister Zeny. “I chose to join the weekly discussion as part of my reflective journey during the Year of Mercy. Indeed, it was a splendid one.”
Asked if she would recommend the class, she said, “I highly recommend attendance in Michael Coyle’s classes. I find Michael a fervent adult religious educator. He maximizes time and teaches altruistically, enriching the discussions with relevant input.”
Another class participant said Coyle has a great ability to capsulate information. Still others said that he is full of lots of great facts, is very organized and teaches with conviction and enthusiasm.
Coyle is also a regular lector at St. Thomas Aquinas and can be seen around town at various Catholic events such as the yearly Eucharistic Congress. He also structures the format of the annual weekend retreat of the parish men’s group, the Men of Veritas.
Coyle served as one of the key organizers of two large Catholic evangelistic regional events known as FIRE Rallies. The first was at Belmont Abbey in 1999 and the second in Fort Mill, S.C., in 2004, where both the bishop of Charlotte and the bishop of Charleston presided.
Coyle’s next class will focus on the book “Understanding the Mystery of the Mass” by Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia. It will be held on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 7-Oct. 12 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Registration is required; contact the church office at 704-549-1607.
— Diana Patulak Ross, Correspondent
FRANKLIN — Eight young people at St. Francis of Assisi Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass July 12. Also pictured is Father Tien Duong, pastor.
— Della Sue Bryson | Catholic News Herald
SWANNANOA — Nine young people at St. Margaret Mary Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass July 15. Also pictured are Father Matthew Leonard, pastor; Deacon Dan Hoffert; and Bea Madden, faith formation coordinator.
— Photo provided by Claudia Graham
SYLVA — Parishioners of St. Mary, Mother of God Church rejoiced July 11 when 22 people received the sacrament of confirmation – the largest class ever at the Sylva parish. Pictured with Bishop Peter Jugis and new pastor Father Casey Coleman are: Aaron Guadarrama, Eduardo Vidal Lara, Peter Dodge, Juan Carlos Yanez, John Dodge, Marissa Rodriguez, Erica Reynosa, Julian Arrellano, Gerardo Rodriguez, Angelica Ambrocio, Edgar Patino, Margaret Dodge, Kasey Espinoza, Loretta Ensley, Stacey Gonzalez, Mary Dodge, Jennifer Hernandez, Luis Munoz, Juan Guerrero, Isaac Moorman, Avery Moorman and Leesbeth Trejo.
—Della Sue Bryson | Catholic News Herald
SALISBURY — For 16 parents in the Salisbury area, talking with their young children about “the birds and the bees” just got a lot easier.
That’s because these parents attended the recent “Leading & Loving” program held last month at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.
In “Leading & Loving,” presenters from Family Honor, an organization that provides a family-centered Catholic approach to chastity education, led group discussions for parents on topics designed to help them raise their children in a challenging culture.
According to Vincent Weaver, Family Honor’s director of programs and training, “Leading & Loving” was created for parents who have children ranging in age from infancy through age 10 or 11, although no child comes to the program. He said some of the program topics include: Sex, What It Really Means; The Language of Love – How Do I Speak It; The Birds and The Bees – Answering My Child’s Questions; Dealing with Tough Issues; and more.
Regarding the program at Sacred Heart Church specifically, Weaver noted, “There were very lively and insightful discussions where parents got the chance to talk through what they would do in addressing the ‘birds and the bees’ in various situations in a way that helps their kids appreciate God’s plan for how they are uniquely and wonderfully made. Lots of good sharing of ideas between parents throughout the program!”
Comments from parents after the program indicated that they felt their time was well spent. One parent remarked that it was “tough subject matter with strangers, but so helpful.”
Another enjoyed the fellowship with other parents that the program provided, saying: “I liked getting others’ opinion and figuring out the parenting thing together.” A very frank admission came from someone else, who said the program “… really helps address where I have failed as a parent and where to improve.”
During the “Leading & Loving” program, parents view short videos, listen to input from Family Honor presenters, and then typically break out into small groups for discussion. Workbooks, along with additional resources, are provided for parent participants to work out a plan for their child or children and how they will approach various topics with them.
David Foppe, one of the Family Honor North Carolina presenters, said that more “Leading & Loving” programs are planned throughout the Diocese of Charlotte.
“We are in discussion with parishes in Greensboro and there is a possibility of having it at a parish in Charlotte. One mom who was at ‘Leading & Loving’ in Salisbury was on fire about the program, and wants to bring it to her parish. Family Honor would also like to see families in the Asheville area served through our programs. Parents consistently tell us that our programs make a difference for their family.”
For anyone interested in booking a Family Honor program, contact either David Foppe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Vincent Weaver, with the national office in South Carolina, at 864-275-2871.
— Brenda Cerkez, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Brenda Cerkez is the executive director of Family Honor Inc.
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FOREST CITY — Approximately 150 people from Immaculate Conception Church took part in the fifth annual Cross A Thon Aug. 12, a fundraiser and public witness by parishioners through the streets of Forest City.
Carrying wooden crosses of various sizes, parishioners walked the one-mile route on West Main Street from Immaculate Conception Church to Grace of God Rescue Mission in Forest City.
Father Herbert Burke led the Eucharistic Procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament, along with Deacon Sigfrido Della Valle and altar servers. Afterward, Deacon Della Valle conducted a 30-minute service in the church with Benediction and a bilingual sermon on unity in the Church through the Eucharist. Parishioners enjoyed food and entertainment afterwards on the church grounds.
Musicians included the group “Sweet Harmony” (composed of Grace, Emily and Charles Rybak), guitarist Eligio Hernandez, and the parish’s Spanish choir. Michael Daigle organized the first Cross A Thon five years ago as a public display of parishioners’ willingness to follow Jesus, and as a fundraiser for various charitable organizations.
Proceeds from the Cross A Thon will benefit the Hands of Hope for Life, (Help Offered in a Pregnancy Experience), the Knights of Columbus Disaster Relief Fund, and the Knights of Columbus L.A.M.B. (Least Among Our Brethren) program.
— Photos by Giuliana Polinari Riley | Catholic News Herald
