Under the weight of the wood:
FOREST CITY — Immaculate Conception Parish held its 11th annual “Cross-a-thon” and Eucharistic Procession Sept. 30.
Parishioners bore large wooden crosses on their shoulders as they walked and prayed on the two-mile route through Forest City. Pastor Father Herbert Burke and Deacon Andy Cilone, along with Father Aaron Huber of St. Mark Parish, led the procession, carrying the Blessed Sacrament through Main Street.
The parish had the honor of hosting three seminarians from St. Joseph College Seminary – Gabriel Lugo, Jeremy Smith, and Elija Buerkle – who helped to lead the procession as servers. Parishioners took turns carrying the giant and extremely heavy lead cross.
During the procession, the Lay Carmelites led parishioners who were unable to walk the distance in the Carmelite Stations of the Cross in the church. The stations were written by the cloistered Carmelite Nuns in Ravenna, Italy.
This year, attendees were also able to venerate a relic of the Holy Cross at special moments throughout the procession.
The event was dedicated for the conversion of souls and reparations with a devotion to the Holy Face, which included 24-hour adoration and a Reparations Novena. The Cross-a-thon is cosponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Third Order Carmelites. This year, the event raised funds for Father Paul Kersey’s mission in Honduras.
— Photos by Giuliana Polinari Riley | Catholic News Herald
CHARLOTTE — Catholic professionals in their 20s and 30s will soon have a chance to gather for fellowship, networking, mentoring, spiritual formation, and other enriching opportunities.
A new chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) is starting in the Diocese of Charlotte. To celebrate, a free launch party will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Truist Field – home of the Charlotte Knights Minor League Baseball team – amid ‘twinkle lights’ and dramatic views of the city’s skyline.
The event will feature remarks from several Catholic leaders in the diocese and time for networking and mingling as well as free appetizers and a cash bar. Attendees will learn about YCP and network with other young professionals.
“Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in America, attracting thousands of young professionals each year. Our city features vibrant young adult groups at many of the local parishes, but there can sometimes feel like a gap in opportunities to bring everyone together – specifically in a professional environment,” says Santiago Cubillos, YCP’s Charlotte chapter president.
YCP bridges that gap, he said, by bringing together participants’ professional, social and faith lives.
Chapter activities include networking happy hours, an executive speaker series, executive panel discussions, mentorship, a local annual retreat, and the national conference.
Some of the benefits to members include spiritual formation with fellow young Catholic workers, personal mentorship from local Catholic executives, and job placement resources and portal.
Cubillos stresses the new chapter is meant to partner with the parishes and ministries in the diocese to inspire young professionals with the beauty of the Catholic faith.
“Young Catholic Professionals aims to bring all these groups together with the mission of growing in our Catholic Faith and inspiring young adults to ‘Work in Witness to Christ’ – the YCP motto,” Cubillos says. “We want to empower the next generation of Catholic leaders.”
— Annie Ferguson
Make plans to attend
RSVP for the free Young Catholic Professionals Charlotte Launch Party on Nov. 16, as space is limited to 400. To register, go online to www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/charlotte