CHARLOTTE — Dr. Cris Villapando, diocesan director of faith formation programs, was honored for giving 20 years of service to the Diocese of Charlotte and 45 years of service overall to the Church as he retired this month.
During his tenure, Villapando has worked with clergy, parishioners, catechists, vicariate personnel and parish catechetical program leaders in guiding the diocese’s overall faith formation efforts, including youth faith formation and RCIA programs.
Among other accomplishments, Villapando crafted the diocese’s confirmation guidelines as well as a home catechesis policy, he established a recognition process for catechists, and he developed a handbook and training programs for parish catechetical program leaders. He also formed the diocesan Commission on the RCIA and oversaw the process and Rites of Election each year across the diocese. He also offered catechetical outreach to the growing Latino, Filipino, Vietnamese and Korean Catholic communities.
Before coming to Charlotte, Villapando also served in the dioceses of Richmond and Dallas, the Archdiocese of Denver, and at the University of Dallas.
Pictured: During his retirement celebration Jan. 12, Dr. Cris Villapando and his wife receive a blessing from Bishop Peter Jugis as Bishop Emeritus William Curlin joins them in prayer. Villapando also received an award (below) for his 20-plus years of service to the Diocese of Charlotte. (Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald)
“We will miss your presence but will count on your sage advice and friendship,” said Father Roger Arnsparger, diocesan vicar of education, during a reception and award presentation Jan. 12 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. “You may retire from the office, but we will still count on your prayer and counsel.”
Bishop Peter Jugis prayed a blessing over Villapando and his wife, thanking him for his dedication in bringing people closer to Christ.
“May Almighty God keep you from all harm and bless you with every good gift. May He set His word in your heart and fill you with lasting joy. May you walk in His ways, always knowing what is right and good until you enter into your heavenly inheritance,” he prayed.
In brief remarks, Bishop Jugis noted Villapando has interacted with and inspired “literally thousands” of people over the years.
“On their behalf I wish to thank you for your dedication to them, helping to form them in parish formation teams and parish formation programs, and for the other great work that you have done. That legacy is what we continue to build on” as the diocese continues to grow and deepen in faith, he said.
Bishop Emeritus William Curlin noted the growth of the Charlotte diocese has been “because of the goodness of people like you, with your wonderful gifts and your dedication and your great heart.”
“Continue to use your gifts,” he told Villapando. “You don’t retire from being Christ-like, you just have a new dimension in how you spend your life and how you enrich others’ lives.”
Villapando thanked all those who have worked with him over the years, especially his colleagues in the Education Vicariate, noting that his mission in education and evangelization has been about changing hearts and bringing people closer to Christ.
“You are all incarnated grace for me,” he said. “Thank you.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Editor
ROME — First Year students at the Pontifical North American College, including Jacob Mlakar, received the Ministry of Lector Jan. 15.
Mlakar, a seminarian from St. Matthew Church recently earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, indicating successful completion of the pre-theology program.
Lector is the first of those ministries given to seminarians in their journey to priestly ordination and allows them to proclaim the readings at Holy Mass.
Bishop Paul Tighe of the Pontifical Council for Culture was the main celebrant of the Mass. Cardinal James Harvey and members of the faculty con-celebrated. During the rite, Bishop Tighe presented each candidate with the Lectionary and instructed them “Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
— Photo provided by the Pontifical North American College,