CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Lay Dominicans celebrated their 11th anniversary in the Diocese of Charlotte on Sept. 26 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Charlotte for its annual Rite of Admission and Promises. The Charlotte Lay Dominicans, known as the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Group of the Southern Province of St. Martin de Porres, was formed in 2009, and today has nearly 40 members.
Reverend Matthew Kauth, the spiritual advisor of the Charlotte Lay Dominicans and rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, celebrated Mass assisted by Rev. Mr. Tim Mueller from St. Michael Catholic Church in Gastonia. During the Mass, Reverend Kauth carried out the Rite of Admission and Promises ceremony.
Lay Dominicans share in the charism of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominican Order, founded in 1216 by St. Dominic de Guzman. For more than 800 years, the Dominicans have been committed to the salvation of souls.
After completing their five year formation, Mr. Steven Richardson, O.P., Mrs. Mitzi Fields, O.P., and Ms. Megan Whiteside, O.P. made their Perpetual Promises in the family of St. Dominic. As lifetime members of the Dominican Order, they participate in the apostolic mission of the Order through constant prayer, study, and preaching according to the state of the laity.
Also during the ceremony, those who completed their first inquiry year advanced to Candidate members. This included: Matthew Bosnick, Mary Clark, Carolyn Franks, John McElravey and Renate Raynor. Members who completed their second year made their Temporary Promises: Glenn Yellico, Susan Evans, Suzette Mahoney, Diona Mathews, and Cecelia McGloughlin.
Lay Dominicans are distinguished both by their spirituality and by their service to God and neighbor in the church. They draw their strength from listening to the Word of God, reading Sacred Scripture, attending daily Mass, daily rosary, frequent confessions, celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours in union with the entire Dominican Family, and study. There are four branches of the Dominican Order: the Friars, the cloistered Nuns, the Sisters, Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic for Diocesan Priests, and the Laity.
New inquirers are invited to discern and join the group beginning on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. The Four Pillars of the Dominican Order are: Prayer, Study, Community, and Apostolate.
The group meets monthly at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about the Dominican charism, visit www.CharlotteLayDominicans.org.
— Charlotte Lay Dominicans