GREENSBORO — St. Paul the Apostle Church took a tradition of being active in North Carolina’s Triad and took it global in 2000.
A group of parishioners felt the calling to do more, which prompted them to propose an initiative to extend charitable giving internationally. After several brainstorming sessions and an extensive search, the committee found a Catholic parish with which it felt the parish could establish a mutual understanding of culture, lifestyle and worship differences.
In December 2001, the parish adopted Niño Jesus in Manta, Ecuador, as its sister parish – establishing a 2,500-mile bond between North American and South American Catholics that has fostered greater understanding and solidarity.
Niño Jesus consists of a main church and 16 chapels spread over a large rural area, serving more than 50,000 Catholics.
According to Colleen Assal, pastoral associate at St. Paul the Apostle Church, the parishes exchanged an initial series of letters to get to know each other.
Customs were explained, local happenings were announced and a mutual appreciation of their cultural differences grew, Assal said. A new St. Paul’s ministry grew out of the need for Spanish-speaking volunteers offering translation services.
As the friendship between the parishes developed, the financial needs of Niño Jesus were considered, and assistance has been offered. Since 2001, St. Paul parishioners have raised enough money to install an irrigation and water purification system, as well as to set up a health clinic and remodel three food kitchens for Niño Jesus. Also, the Greensboro parish has provided wheelchairs and hearing aids to Niño Jesus parishioners in need.
In 2002, the Greensboro parish began a scholarship program which has benefitted nearly 250 students. Sponsors annually donate $150 for primary school through high school-aged students, or $180 for university students. The scholarships pay for books, clothing, transportation and other needs. Sponsors and students exchange photographs and letters, and personal relationships often grow out of these sponsorships.
According to Assal, some families maintain contact with now-graduated former students, while continuing to sponsor another student. She added that the students are inspired to work hard and achieve good grades, knowing there is a family supporting them both financially and spiritually.
About once a year, St. Paul’s parishioners travel to Ecuador. Two mission trip visits by parish teens have also taken place. Niño Jesus priests and parishioners usually visit North Carolina every other year, staying with host families. A pen-pal program for children, a Christmas card exchange and quarterly newsletters enable parishioners to maintain relationships.
Assal says having connections with these families illustrates that “the Church is bigger than our parish, or diocese or country.”
Last spring, a devastating earthquake and subsequent aftershocks rocked Ecuador. The main church of Niño Jesus was spared all but minor damage, yet major repairs were necessary for the chapels, food kitchens and some parishioners’ homes. St. Paul parishioners quickly raised about $27,000 to send to their Ecuadoran brothers and sisters.
Father Joseph Mack, pastor at St. Paul Church, is in contact with the pastor of Niño Jesus regarding the aftermath and cleanup. Some parishioners, who receive updates through Facebook, Skype and WhatsApp from the families of the students they sponsor, said the Niño Jesus families are doing well and proceeding with rebuilding.
“Through our Sister Parish program,” said Assal, “we have learned that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, called through baptism to live a life of discipleship, loving and serving God and our neighbors, the world over.”
— Jennifer Krawiec, Correspondent
Learn more
St. Paul the Apostle Church’s Sister Parish program is a parishioner-driven ministry supported by the clergy since its inception. The Sister Parish core team is willing to help parishes that have questions on how to get started with their own sister parish program. Call 336-294-4696 during weekday office hours, and staff will answer questions or connect others with church members involved.
CHARLOTTE — A Catholic fraternal association for business leaders has launched a chapter in Charlotte.
Legatus, founded by former Domino's Pizza CEO and Catholic philanthropist Tom Monaghan, is aimed at top-level executives and their spouses. Named from the Latin word for "ambassador," its mission is to enable like-minded CEOs, company presidents, managing partners and business owners to become "ambassadors for Christ" in their personal and professional lives. Legatus has more than 5,000 members spread throughout 95 chapters in the United States, Canada and Ireland.
The Charlotte chapter was inaugurated during a Mass June 30 at St. Patrick Cathedral, celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis. It is the first Legatus chapter in the Diocese of Charlotte and in North Carolina.
Sharon Kucia, president of Mission Advancement Services for The Pelican Group, is president of the local Legatus chapter. Kucia first joined Legatus in the Diocese of Savannah, where she often traveled for work. As the Charlotte diocese grew, she realized the value in starting a Legatus chapter for Catholic business leaders in the Charlotte area, and worked with Legatus' regional leaders to establish the chapter.
"There is a real need for something like this in Charlotte," Kucia said.
Praying and spending time with other Catholic business leaders through Legatus has "touched her heart," she said, and she hopes the new chapter will enable more opportunities for such fellowship among Catholic professionals in the Charlotte area.
The Charlotte chapter has grown to 21 member couples since meetings began last fall, including some members who were active in Legatus chapters elsewhere before moving to Charlotte. Its chaplain is Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey.
Other local officers are: David Piejak, vice president; Mary Beth Soignet, director at-large; Rick Caron, program chair; Billy Hughes, membership chair; and David Anderson, membership vice chair.
Legatus chapters meet monthly for Mass, followed by fellowship and dinner, where they hear from speakers about how to live their Catholic faith in their families, their businesses and their philanthropic efforts, especially in an increasingly challenging and secularized environment. They also network with fellow Catholic business leaders who have committed themselves to the Legatus mission to "study, live and spread the Catholic faith in their business and personal lives."
Legatus is chartering another chapter for the Greenville, S.C., area this month.
Membership is by invitation only, and specific business criteria apply. Learn more at www.legatus.org.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Editor