CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Diocese celebrated its first Midnight Latin Masses in more than 50 years on Christmas night.
A near record Latin Mass crowd of 390 faithful attended the High Mass at St. Ann parish offered by pastor Father Timothy Reid. He also enshrined the newly donated statue of the Infant of Prague right before Mass.
The music as custom featured Gregorian chant offered by the young ladies Cantate Domino Latin Choir and the St. Ann Latin Schola.
After Mass a light reception of hot coco, hot cider, and cookies was sponsored by the Kennedy, Walsh, Blake, and Lauer families.
The celebration of Midnight Latin Mass was not limited to St. Ann's, as St. Michael Church in Gastonia also marked its first Midnight Latin Mass in recent time, with pastor Father Matthew Buettner offering a Solemn High Mass.
To learn more about Latin Masses in Charlotte, please visit www.charlottelatinmass.org or contact Chris Lauer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent
CHARLOTTE — The St. Gabriel Church Men’s Club reported a “very successful” Oyster Roast and Music Jam, raising more than $3,000 to support local ministries.
The club sent $1,000 to support relief efforts following Hurricane Matthew’s devastation of Eastern North Carolina, as well as funds to other charities including Homemakers of Mercy and the Boy Scouts.
More than 400 St. Gabriel parishioners and guests plowed through more than 4,200 oysters in two hours at the Oct. 22 event, and the Jim Garrett Band rocked the house with bluegrass music.
Kudos to event chairman Pete Mussoni and all the members of the men’s club who made this a memorable, and in the words of Father Frank O’Rourke, pastor, a “Church building event!”