CHARLOTTE — A chance meeting at the Eucharistic Congress several years ago prompted two women to start an organized prayer effort for priests.
Called “Mary’s Sons,” the prayer apostolate is the inspiration of Jackie Gallagher and Robyn Magyar. During a conversation at Gallagher’s vendor booth at the Congress, they discovered that they both shared a love of supporting priests through prayer using a booklet entitled “Praying for our Priests.” Magyar was using it with a prayer group at her parish, St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.
Together, they hoped “Mary’s Sons” could help spread this prayer effort even further across the diocese. Their effort is still growing, and a unique outgrowth has been what they call the “Seminarian Kneeler Prayer Pilgrimage.”
In this project, custom-made wooden kneelers have been bought thanks to local donations and given to the diocese’s new priests at their ordinations since 2014. Before ordination, the kneelers are put on display at parishes so that the faithful can offer prayers for the ordinands as well as future vocations.
“The vision was for the kneelers to travel to ‘host’ parishes throughout the diocese to give the parishioners an opportunity to kneel and pray for the soon-to-be ordained men,” Gallagher says.
“The pastors graciously opened their doors to Mary’s Sons and allowed the kneelers to be placed in a beautiful setting, such as before the Blessed Sacrament or a statue of Our Lady.”
This year, five kneelers – for Father Peter Ascik, Father Matthew Bean, Father Brian Becker, Father Christopher Bond and Father Christian Cook – traveled to parishes in early 2017 before being blessed by Bishop Peter Jugis June 15 and presented to the five new priests at a reception after their ordination.
“Each kneeler is a gift to the new priest and has a personalized plaque that reads ‘With our prayers for a joyful priesthood,’ the new priest’s name and date of his ordination,” Gallagher says.
In addition, each newly-ordained priest receives a traveling stole handmade by a local parishioner, as well as journals filled with well wishes written by those who have prayed on the kneelers at each church along the way.
“Our goal is to foster vocations but also, and especially, to pray for those priests out in the trenches doing God’s work daily. We must shower them with prayer to protect them against the evils out there trying to devour them.”
To learn more about Mary’s Sons, go to www.maryssons.com or call 704-707-5070.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
TRYON — A Kentucky native and Catholic convert, Father Roger Arnsparger is celebrating four decades of priestly ministry this year. He is the pastor of St. John the Baptist Church and serves as the vicar of education for the Diocese of Charlotte.
Father Arnsparger grew up in what he calls a “Catholic neighborhood” and had Catholic friends.
“My older brother converted after returning from his service in the Army. I began asking him and friends about the history and teachings of the Church. Then I began attending Mass and studying the Mass and Church teachings. It was a great time,” he recalls.
Father Arnsparger says he first realized he had a call to serve the Church as an adult.
“I had a desire to be a minister in my Church. After converting I saw the joy and work of the priests in my town and felt drawn to that,” he says.
While in seminary, Father Arnsparger took his philosophy courses at St. Pius X College Seminary in the Diocese of Covington, Ky. His theological studies were at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1977, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Ky., by Bishop Richard H. Ackerman.
Father Arnsparger has served in many parishes during his 40 years of ministry, as well as at high schools where he taught religion classes.
“I have been blessed to serve as parochial vicar in three parishes while teaching high school religion part time,” he notes. “I then taught religion for five years full time. In 1986 I was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Corbin, Ky., where I had served as a transitional deacon. I continued to teach high school religion for several years while pastor there.
“In all, I taught high school religion for 14 years. I was at Sacred Heart Parish for 13 years,” he says.
After he moved to the Diocese of Charlotte, Father Arnsparger has served as pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Arden, St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia and St. Mark Church in Huntersville before he was assigned to the Tryon parish.
“I have always taught RCIA classes, CCD classes and adult education classes, meeting great people and enjoying the communal aspect of studying the faith together,” he says.
What he enjoys most about his priestly ministry is “the daily Mass, the sacraments and the interaction with the parishioners in their spiritual growth, attention to their families, their love of the Church and their love for their families.”
What is one thing he has learned about being a priest over the past 40 years? “To listen attentively and be available,” he replies.
In his spare time, Father Arnsparger loves to study history, architecture and art. “And I love to travel,” he adds.
He advises men discerning a vocation to the priesthood to “take time to be involved in parish life, find a priest spiritual director and listen attentively to your folks and fellow parishioners. Enjoy the time of your discernment. Make good memories.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
HENDERSONVILLE — Friends of Immaculata Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Church recently sponsored a bear sculpture in Downtown Hendersonville’s annual “Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk” that was entitled “Our Past, Present and Future.”
The sculpture contains the names of all the staff, students, parents and grandparents at Immaculata School.
The longtime public art project features unique bear (or other animal) sculptures painted by local artists and placed along the 16 blocks that comprise Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Funds raised from the art walk and auction organized by Historic Downtown Hendersonville raises money for local charities.
— Photo provided by Father Martin Schratz
CHARLOTTE — This year marks milestone anniversaries for 15 permanent deacons in the Diocese of Charlotte.
From the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the states of Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Georgia, Rhode Island and Tennessee, these 15 deacons have journeyed to serve the people in the Charlotte diocese.
Whether through family ties, employment opportunities or retirement, the guidance of the Holy Spirit has brought these men to the Triad, Piedmont and mountains of North Carolina. As part of a vibrant and strong diaconate within the Charlotte diocese, we celebrate their anniversaries with great joy.
From the day of their ordination, the lives of these deacons have changed and so have the lives of the many people touched by their ministry. Today it is with the loving support and encouragement of their wives, families and friends, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that they joyfully continue their call to serve.
Pope Paul VI once said, “The deacon is meant to be a living sign of the servanthood of Christ’s Church.”
Even a deacon’s vestments depict the reality that his ordination is one of service. The stole worn over the left shoulder and fastened to the side represents his ministry of service as teacher and messenger of the Gospel. He also wears the dalmatic, which reflects his ministry of charity to serve those who are most in need.
Relying always on the knowledge that God cares for and loves them, and that He will not abandon them, deacons faithfully serve God and His people every day.
45 YEARS
Deacon Ralph Eckoff, 86, and his wife Ruth live in Asheville. He was ordained in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1972 and was a member of the first class in the Diocese of Phoenix. He was also the 60th deacon ordained in the United States. In coming to North Carolina, he was assigned to St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa in 2003. He was granted formal retirement in 2006 and continues in limited ministry.
40 YEARS
Deacon Ronald Sherwood, 76, was ordained in the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, in 1977. He and his wife Vicky live in Charlotte. After moving to North Carolina, he was assigned to St. Mark Parish in Huntersville in 2004 and was incardinated to this diocese in 2009. He retired in 2013 and continues in limited ministry.
Deacon Sidney Huff, 81, was ordained on Dec. 11, 1977, for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. In 2007, he and his wife Elease moved to Monroe, where in August of that year he was granted faculties and was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Being granted retirement in December 2009, he continues to faithfully serve his parish and the diocese.
35 YEARS
Deacon John Zimmerle, 77, lives in Statesville. He was ordained for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., on March 27, 1982, and also served in the Diocese of Trenton, N.J., before moving to North Carolina with his wife Ladis in 2001. Deacon Zimmerle was granted facilities in the diocese in 2001 and assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mocksville. He retired in 2014 and retains his faculties to participate in liturgical functions and ministerial activities.
Deacon Anthony Marini, 86, was ordained for the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y., on April 17, 1982. In 1984, he and his wife Maria moved to Florida where he continued his ministry in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla. In 1993 he and his wife took up residence in North Carolina, where he has served as a seasonal deacon at St. William Parish in Murphy and at Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville,. He moved to the Diocese of St. Augustine, Fla., in 1997 and retired in 2004. He retains his diaconal faculties in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Deacon George Szalony, 76, was ordained on April 18, 1982, for the Archdiocese of Chicago. After ordination, Deacon Szalony served in the Diocese of Helena, Mont., and in the Diocese of Trenton. It was then that Deacon Szalony and his wife Christine moved to Charlotte, where he was assigned in 1995 to St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill. In 2001 he was appointed assistant director of formation and assigned to St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte. During his diaconate service he has also served St. Ann Parish in Charlotte and served as diocesan director of formation from 2008 to 2011. In 2015 he retired and now continues his diaconal faculties as chaplain of airport ministry at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
30 YEARS
Deacon James Johnson, 80, and his wife Judith live in Soldotna, Alaska. Although he began his formation in Knoxville, Tenn., he completed his studies for the Charlotte diocese. He was ordained on June 27, 1987, at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton and served that same parish throughout his ministry. He also served as diocesan coordinator for prison ministry and was the chaplain for Catholic Scouting for the diocese. In 2011 he retired, and in 2016 he and his wife moved to Alaska.
Deacon J. Patrick Crosby, 76, was ordained for the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., on Aug. 8, 1987. He and his wife Irene moved to the Hendersonville-Brevard area in 1999, when he was granted faculties and assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish. Then in late 2000 he was reassigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard. He retired on July 1, 2014.
20 YEARS
Deacon James Gorman, 73, was ordained for the Archdiocese of New York on June 7, 1997, by Cardinal John O’Connor. While in New York he served as pastoral minister at Nyack Hospital. In 2010 he and his wife Helen moved to Charlotte, and in 2011 he was granted faculties for the Charlotte diocese and assigned to St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte.
Deacon Matthew Reilly, 73, was ordained on Sept. 20, 1997, for the Archdiocese of Washington by Cardinal James Hickey. On Feb. 2, 2007, he received faculties for the Charlotte diocese and was assigned to St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Statesville, where he served for seven years. Currently, Deacon Reilly is assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Denver. He and his wife Donna Marie live in Mooresville.
15 YEARS
Deacon Scott McNabb, 67, and his wife Charlene are seasonal residents of North Carolina with permanent residence in Atlanta. Deacon McNabb was ordained for the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Feb. 2, 2002, and is assigned to Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Atlanta. In receiving faculties for the Charlotte diocese in August 2013, he serves, when in residence, at Our Lady of the Mountains Mission in Highlands and St. Jude Mission in Sapphire.
Deacon Roland Geoffroy, 76, was ordained for the Diocese of Providence, R.I., on Oct. 18, 2002. After being granted faculties for the Charlotte diocese on Nov. 30, 2006, he was initially assigned to St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte. In June 2007, he was then assigned to serve at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. On March 7, 2016, Deacon Geoffroy was granted retirement and maintains ministerial activities when requested by his pastor. He and his wife Jacqueline live in Monroe.
10 YEARS
Deacon John Barone, 67, and his wife Ellen live in Brasstown. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 2007 and was assigned to St. Mark Parish in Clarkesville, Ga. On Jan. 20, 2010, he received faculties and was assigned to help the pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Andrews. Currently he is retired and is inactive as a deacon.
Deacon John Riehl, 69, and his wife Shirley live in Hendersonville. Ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville, Tenn., on May 18, 2007, he was assigned to Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City, Tenn. After moving to the Charlotte area, he was granted faculties for the Charlotte diocese on Sept. 1, 2015, and assigned to St. John the Baptist Parish in Tryon. His son, Father Christopher Riehl, has also served in the diocese.
5 YEARS
Deacon Jose Vargas, 61, and his wife Maria are from Puerto Rico. He was ordained for the Diocese of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, on May 18, 2012. He is a seasonal resident of North Carolina and when in residence he serves at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point. He helps with parish activities and assists with the Spanish-speaking community.
— Deacon John Martino, Special to the Catholic News Herald
‘I feel truly blessed to have been called to the priesthood’
‘I feel truly blessed to have been called to the priesthood’HUNTERSVILLE — Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, celebrates 25 years of priestly ministry this year. He was ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop John Donoghue, the second bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte on May 30, 1992.
Over the past 25 years, Father Putnam has continued his studies, specializing in canon law and accepting several positions at parishes around the diocese.
“As I reflect over these past 25 years of priestly ministry, I am amazed at all that the Lord has accomplished in the diocese,” Father Putnam says. “In 1992 I would have never imagined that we would have our own college seminary program or that the diocese would have grown so quickly.”
His first assignment was as interim parochial vicar of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine and St. Bernadette Mission in Linville. Since then he has also served as parochial vicar of Holy Family Church in Clemmons and as the administrator of Holy Infant Church in Reidsville. He served as sacramental minister of St. Joseph Church in Eden as well.
Father Putnam also served as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, a position he held for 15 years. Since 2003, he has held the position of judicial vicar for the diocese, overseeing the marriage tribunal. He has also served the diocese as tribunal assessor, tribunal judge, vicar forane for the Salisbury Vicariate and interim vocation director.
“As the judicial vicar I have to approach my ministry on both a parochial and diocesan level,” he explains. “This can be a challenge at times because competing goods can often make you feel spread thin. Yet, it also has given me the ability not to become too parochial and help my parishioners understand that there is something bigger than ourselves.”
Various boards and councils he has served on include the Priest Vocations Board, Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, Priest Personnel Committee and the Eucharistic Congress Steering Committee.
When asked in 2012 about what he enjoys most about his priestly ministry, Father Putnam stated that in addition to the celebration of the sacraments, he cherishes being able to celebrate significant milestones in the lives of parishioners and parish families.
He also shared that one of the biggest lessons he has learned as a priest is, “Don’t forget that God’s in charge and sometimes you just have to get out of the way.”
“Over the years you experience many joys and heartaches; yet, above all, I feel truly blessed to have been called to the priesthood,” he says. “The people I have encountered over the years have helped me become the priest I am today, and
I am forever grateful for their patience and love. It is a wonderful life and, God willing, I will be able to continue living it faithfully and fruitfully.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter