McCarthy BELMONT — Mercy Sister Brigid McCarthy and Mercy Sister Paulette Williams are both celebrating their 50th anniversary as Sisters of Mercy this year.
Sister Brigid McCarthy is co-foundress of Well of Mercy, a retreat for individuals in Hamptonville. Previously, she ministered as a therapist and as secretary to the superior general in Belmont. In addition, Sister Brigid taught at St. Michael School in Gastonia, Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte, and St. Mary School in Wilmington.
Sister Paulette Williams is executive vice president and director of the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation Inc., based in Belmont. She served on the Community Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy-South Central Community (2000-2016), including one four-year term as president of the community and two terms as vice president.
WilliamsA native of Concord, Sister Paulette also taught and served as principal of Charlotte Catholic High School from 1973 to 2000.
The Sisters of Mercy dedicate their lives to God through vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service.
For more than 150 years, motivated by the Gospel of Jesus and inspired by the spirit of their founder, St. Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy have responded to the changing needs of the times.
Through prayer and service, the sisters address the causes and effects of violence, racism, degradation of Earth and injustice to women and immigrants. The sisters serve in more than 200 organizations that work with those in need in the U.S., Central and South America, Jamaica, Guam and the Philippines.
— Beth Rogers Thompson, Sisters of Mercy
CANDLER — Parishioners at St. Joan of Arc Parish congratulated Father Dean Cesa, pastor, on the 20th anniversary of his priestly ordination with a potluck dinner June 3 that featured family favorite dishes from around the world. In keeping with the multicultural theme, the parish hall was decorated with flags of the world.
Parishioners welcomed him to the parish hall with music and applause. He was surprised with guests and friends from Brevard and Sapphire and especially his brother Mark and sister-in-law Irene Cesa.
He was presented with cards made by the parish’s children, flowers and letters, a cake and a plaque commemorating his ordination for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 6, 1998.
— Photo provided by Katie Kalarovich