Noted educator, psychologist, nurse and canon lawyer
Education leader, principal of Charlotte Catholic High School
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Rosalind Picot passed away at Sacred Heart Convent on May 25, 2024. She was 90.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, May 31, 2024, in Cardinal Gibbons Chapel at Sacred Heart Convent. Interment was at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
A proud native of North Carolina, Mary Rose Picot was born on Sept. 18, 1933, in Wilmington, the daughter of Hallette E. Picot and Rose Allen.
A Sister of Mercy for 69 years, Sister Rosalind was an educator and a leader who empowered people to grow and expand their vision of life and service.
She attended St. Mary's Catholic School and New Hanover High School in Wilmington. After joining the
Sisters of Mercy in Belmont in 1955, she later received a bachelor’s degree in education from Sacred Heart College in Belmont, a Medical Technology degree from Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, two master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (one in French, and the other in Education Administration), and a doctorate in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a concentration in Administration for Higher Education. An honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College was presented in recognition of her outstanding service in education.
Sister Rosalind's spiritual motto was: “In You, O Lord I Trust.” She lived this as an elected regional councilor and president for 16 years, served on boards, and was well known as the principal of Charlotte Catholic High School.
She was an outstanding administrator renowned for her love of the French language and travels in France.
For seven years, Sister Rosalind Picot also served on the Board of Directors at Holy Angels, where she passionately advanced the ministry of Holy Angels.
Sister Rosalind was loved by all those she met and was an extremely gracious woman of Mercy.
On her 50th jubilee anniversary as a Sister of Mercy in 2005, Sister Rosalind told the Catholic News Herald that religious life was her path to a deeper relationship with God. “I entered to search for God. I stay for the same reason – I keep finding God in so many different ways, events and people. There have been sudden revelations and an evolving process, filled with God’s grace.”
Mclean Funeral Directors of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.mcleanfuneral.com.
— Catholic News Herald
CHILDS, Maryland — With sadness, but with faith in the Resurrection, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales announce that Father James M. Turner, OSFS, passed away at the age of 72 on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. He was a professed member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 51 years and a priest for 43 years.
The viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Light Chapel in Childs, Maryland. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:15 a.m. Burial will take place that afternoon in the Oblate Cemetery.
He was born in Paris, Illinois, on Jan. 30, 1952, the son of James Williams and Evelyn (Hynes) Turner.
He attended Holy Rosary Parish School, St. Edmund’s Academy (middle school), and Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. In high school, he was a student-athlete and a member of the track team.
After graduation from Salesianum School in 1970, he entered the Oblate Novitiate and made his first profession of vows on Aug. 18, 1973. He did his student teaching at Father Judge High School from 1975 to 1977, and he made his perpetual profession of vows on Nov. 24, 1979.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology at Allentown College (now DeSales University), a Bachelor of Arts in theology from DeSales School of Theology, and a Master of Sciences in biology from Villanova University.
He completed his studies for the priesthood at De Sales Hall School of Theology in Washington, D.C., and was ordained a deacon in 1980. As a biologist and nature enthusiast, he always wanted to explore other parts of the world. He asked to go to the missions for his internship as a deacon, ministering at St. Augustine Mission in Upington, South Africa, in the spring of 1981.
He returned to the U.S. and was ordained a priest on June 13, 1981, at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Philadelphia, Pa., by Bishop Edward J. Schlotterback, OSFS, the Bishop of Namibia, South Africa.
Following ordination, he returned to Salesianum School, where he served as a science teacher. In 1987, Father Turner moved into parish ministry and became the parochial vicar at Holy Infant Parish in Durham. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he ministered as assistant pastor at St. John Neumann Parish in Reston, Virginia; Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point; Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Vienna, Virginia; St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wilmington, Delaware; and Holy Redeemer by the Sea Parish in Kitty Hawk.
In 2007, Father Turner was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Highways Parish in Thomasville and ministered to the close-knit community for the next 13 years. During his time in Thomasville, the church, parish hall and rectory offices were all enhanced to serve the growing number of parishioners. Ministry to Hispanic Catholics became a priority, and Father Turner became a friend and mentor to many families.
After being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Father Turner retired from ministry in 2020 and moved to Virginia, where he was affectionately cared for by his sister Debby and his brother-in-law Ed. Bravely living with many physical challenges, Father Turner was grateful to be surrounded by the love of his family and the beauty of Lake Anna. He often told visitors that nature was a constant reminder of God’s presence and grace.
In the spring of 2023, Father Turner came to the Oblate retirement center, Annecy Hall, in Childs, Maryland. There, he shared his love of nature with the Oblate community and the medical staff. Even as his health weakened, Father Turner continued to take after-dinner walks around the property. Soon a small group of Oblates joined him, and they developed a walking routine and a deeper connection as brothers. He also spent many hours engaging with his longtime hobby of jigsaw puzzles.
As a runner throughout his life, Father Turner was committed to staying the course and persevering in every situation. He practiced daily the Salesian virtue of embracing the present moment.
As he returns to his heavenly Father, may he make his own the words of St. Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Father Turner was the loving brother of Debra Read, Margaret Mitchell and Jeffrey Turner. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Condolences may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Read, 305 Edgewood Dr., Mineral, VA 23117.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, Wilmington-Philadelphia Province at https://tinyurl.com/52c6ub59.
— Catholic News Herald
A joy to serve the diocese
CHARLOTTE — With an apple juice toast and a few kind words, employees from the Diocese of Charlotte’s Pastoral Center thanked Bishop Peter Jugis for his 20 years of leadership through unprecedented growth in the diocese, as he prepares to transition into retirement service as bishop emeritus.
The cake-and-veggie event included funny and meaningful speeches and a special photo slideshow highlighting the bishop’s tenure as spiritual shepherd for more than 530,000 Catholics in western North Carolina. Staff members had the chance to write their own special memories of working alongside Bishop Jugis and well wishes on cards that will be bound into a book for him.
Bishop Jugis expressed his gratitude and joy for the experiences he was blessed to share with the staff and the people of the diocese. He promised that in retirement, he would continue to pray for Bishop-elect Michael Martin and for the work of all diocesan ministries.
“I have a deep sense of gratitude to the Lord for all the blessings that he has bestowed upon me and upon this diocese, and for the opportunity to serve as a priest and a bishop of this diocese,” Bishop Jugis said. “It has also been a joy to observe the work of the Holy Spirit in the diocese.”
Bishop Jugis also thanked employees for their work and service to parishes, clergy, schools and the larger community.
“It’s been a joy for me to serve with you to continue the life and the mission of the Church here in this portion of the vineyard of the Lord that has been entrusted to us,” Bishop Jugis said. “It is a great responsibility that the Lord has entrusted to all of us together.”
He recalled an interview St. Pope John Paul II once gave when a reporter asked, “Your Holiness, what is the mission of the Church?” He responded, “I can give you that in one word – salvation!”
That single word, Bishop Jugis said, unites the work of everyone in the diocese.
“Salvation in Christ – that’s what we’re about here. Jesus, the way and the truth and the life, is animating us in all that we do for Him. No matter what the particular calling God has given to each of us in this life, we’re all working together in that mission of the Church. We are proclaiming the kingdom of Christ by the witness of our lives.”
— Catholic News Herald
Explore Bishop Jugis' contributions to the Diocese of Charlotte:
Bishop Peter Jugis reflects on four decades of service to the Diocese of Charlotte
Bishop Peter Jugis guided the diocese through unprecedented growth
Bishop Jugis created six parishes for the diocese
Bishop Jugis brings celebration of the Eucharist to diocese
Bishop Jugis has fostered diversity and inclusion of all Catholics
Bishop Jugis grew ministries and services through stewardship
Diocese marks a half-century of serving faithful
Bishop Jugis led the diocese through the aftermath of abuse revelations
Bishop Jugis creates St. Joseph College Seminary, impacts vocations for decades
BLACK MOUNTAIN — Retired Deacon Guy A. Piché passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at his home at Givens Highland Farms after a period of illness and loving care. He was 76.
A memorial and celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, at St. Helen Church, 341 Dallas-Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28206.
Guy Anthony Piché was born on June 15, 1947, in Detroit, the son of Eugene E. Piché and Theresa L. Piché. He moved to Gaston County, North Carolina, to attend Belmont Abbey College, and ended up living in Gaston County for most of his life. There he met and married Rachel Edwards of Belmont, and the couple raised two children in a loving and nurturing home.
He worked as an accounting professional and later served as director of the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory and as the properties director for the Diocese of Charlotte, retiring in 2014.
He also served as a volunteer for a variety of organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Belmont Rescue Squad.
He was ordained in the diocese’s second class of deacons on June 18, 1988. After ordination, he was assigned to Queen of the Apostles Parish in Belmont, where he served for the next 10 years. Then from 2003 to 2019, he served as deacon at St. Helen Mission in Spencer Mountain.
He was known and loved by his co-workers, neighbors and fellow parishioners as a light of joy and faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rachel Piché of Black Mountain; his brother, Justin Piché of Hollywood, Florida; his son, Jason Piché (spouse, Catherine Piché) of Blacksburg, Virginia; his daughter, Lauren Rash (spouse, Jacob Rash) of Black Mountain; and three grandchildren: Lyra Piché, Fletcher Rash and Josephine Piché.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to St. Helen Catholic Church, c/o Kent Lewis, 4028 River Falls Dr., Lowell, N.C. 28098; or to the Resident Assistance Ministry at Givens Highland Farms, https://givenscommunities.org/giving/.
Special thanks and prayers are offered to the staff of Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain for their caring and skill.
— Catholic News Herald