CHARLOTTE — Public attendance at the upcoming diaconate and priesthood ordinations will be extremely limited due to health restrictions meant to curb the spread of COVID-19, so people are being encouraged to watch the liturgies streamed live on the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel.
(To get an email reminder about the upcoming livestreams, subscribe to the channel, at www.youtube.com/DioceseofCharlotte.)
The first celebration was streamed live July 17. Watch a replay.
Seminarians Juan Miguel Sanchez and Joseph Wasswa were ordained transitional deacons during an ordination Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
On Friday, July 24, Bishop Jugis will ordain Deacon Jacob Mlakar and Deacon Jonathan Torres to the holy priesthood during Mass at St. Mark Church, also streaming live at 10 a.m.
The evening before, St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte will host a Holy Hour for the two priest candidates. Seating will be extremely limited, and on a first-come basis. It will be streamed live starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 23, so the people of the diocese can join together virtually in prayer.
For a worship aid (including hymns, readings and prayers for tonight’s service), please follow these easy steps:
1. Download the free app “Divine Office” from your mobile device’s app store. Installation will take about a minute.
2. Launch the app, and select “Evening Prayer” from the list. This will show the complete text used in tonight’s prayer service.
People considering attending any of these liturgies in person are strongly encouraged to wear face masks. Social distancing and other health protocols put in place by the diocese and the church will be enforced. Anyone who is ill or at risk should not attend.