CHARLOTTE — Classes will begin in October for the Diocese of Charlotte’s Lay Ministry Formation Program, an in-depth formation program for adults who want to better understand their faith and more deeply participate in the Church’s mission.
The Lay Ministry program runs for two years, with classes held in multiple locations across the diocese. It is designed for adults at all levels – anyone who may be interested in serving the Church or who simply wants to further their understanding of Church teaching, scripture, theology and spirituality.
When classes begin formators will be using a hybrid online/in-person instruction model for the 2020-’22 program. Classes will start online in October. In 2021, depending on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the program may be able to resume face-to-face classes. Participants take a total of 150 class hours during the two-year program of study, which follows the academic year. The program offers English and Spanish tracks.
Participants will:
- appreciate and understand more fully that they are called to and gifted for the lay apostolate by virtue of their baptism and confirmation,
- be affirmed and grow in competence and confidence in their present ministries to and with others: the Church, their families and the community,
- explore their personal gifts and how those gifts may be used in response to their baptismal call, and
- grow in their Catholic faith.
Classes are being planned for Charlotte, Greensboro, Lenoir and the Asheville area, based on the number of participants who register. In-person classes in the 2020-2022 English program will meet on designated Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an hour for lunch. Sessions average about one every three weeks within the academic year.
In-person classes for Spanish program may be held in Charlotte and Hendersonville, depending on registrations. Classes will meet weekly on Thursday evenings (6:30-8:30 p.m.) in Charlotte and on Friday evenings (7-9 p.m.) in Hendersonville.
Participants must be registered at a parish, provide a recommendation letter from their pastor, commit to actively practicing their Catholic faith, and agree to begin praying at least one segment of the Liturgy of the Hours daily as a part of their regular prayer life.
For more information, contact Dr. Frank Villaronga, diocesan director of evangelization and adult education, at 704-370-3274 or go online to www.charlottediocese.org/ev/adult-education.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Your DSA contributions at work
The Lay Ministry Formation Program is funded in part by contributions to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how you can contribute at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.
CHARLOTTE — The weather on July 23 was like every other day that week.
It started out sunny, then later the clouds rolled in, the thunder rumbled and rain threatened. In the Matthews/Mint Hill area, evening storms beat down on most of the community – except on the lawn of St. John Neumann Church, where a bilingual prayer service was taking place outdoors.
Approximately 150 parishioners arrived with their lawn chairs, observed social distancing practices and joined together in prayer at the two-hour liturgy, which included Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Scripture readings, spoken and quiet prayer time and an intention cross.
The evening concluded with a healing service.
Father John Starczewski, pastor, and Father Peter Phan administered the sacrament of the anointing of the sick to those who requested it. “We heard the thunder; we felt the wind. The breeze kept us cool. There was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was right in our midst,” said one of the participants.
— Photos provided by Glenda Lliguicota
MOUNT HOLLY — For the first time in its history, St. Joseph College Seminary welcomed its incoming class of nine men onto the newly completed seminary campus at 22 Arctus Ave. after the seminary’s opening Mass Aug. 2.
The Gothic-inspired two-story building has a chapel, classroom, library, conference rooms, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices, and a guest room for speakers and visiting priests. It also includes 40 dorm rooms or “cells” for the college seminarians.
Established in 2016, St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to discern the priesthood. Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese had anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 27 this year.
Campaign fundraising is under way, with $14.5 million of the $20 million raised so far.
For information about the St. Joseph College Seminary capital campaign, go to www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org or contact Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704-608-0359 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Parishes resume liturgies following pandemic delays
Confirmation offered in the Extraordinary Form
CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Church hosted a special parishwide sacrament of confirmation in the Extraordinary Form for parishioners July 12.
Bishop Peter Jugis administered the rite of confirmation in the Extraordinary Form, which is offered in Latin according to the 1962 Missal.
During the rite, the candidates knelt before the bishop, who made the sign of the cross over them three times and then lightly slapped them on the right cheek as he told them, “Pax tecum” (“Peace”). Immediately afterwards, the candidates had their foreheads anointed with sacred chrism by St. Ann’s pastor, Father Timothy Reid.
After after the conferral of the sacrament, a High Latin Mass was offered in Bishop Jugis’ presence by Father Timothy Reid. Deacons Peter Tonon and Tom Sanctis assisted during the liturgy.
The diocese has been offering the traditional rite of confirmation at St. Ann Parish since 2016.
— Mike FitzGerald and Markus Kuncoro | Catholic News Herald
First Communion
STATESVILLE — Children at St. Philip the Apostle Church received their first Holy Communion recently, during Masses that were rescheduled from earlier in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-eight children received the sacrament during two Masses in June, with eight of the First Communicants pictured here.
— Photo provided by Connie Ries
First Communion
HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Church began celebrating First Communion Masses in June following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Masses were offered throughout the month for small groups of families until all 230 First Communicants received the sacrament.
— Photo provided by Amy Burger
Receiving the sacrament of confirmation
STATESVILLE — Twenty-nine young people at St. Philip the Apostle Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor, during a special Mass offered June 24.
— Photo provided by Connie Ries