CHARLOTTE — Hundreds gathered for a bittersweet celebration Oct. 31 to say thanks and goodbye to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, who are leaving Charlotte this month for Hanceville, Ala., to join other members of their cloistered order.
The Poor Clares will move to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, home of Mother Angelica, foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network. Mother Dolores Marie, who has been abbess at the Poor Clares' St. Joseph Monastery in Charlotte, will take over as abbess there. Plans for a permanent monastery in the Diocese of Charlotte are being put on hold, but the nuns will retain their 333-acre tract near Shelby in the hopes that one day they will return as their order grows.
At a farewell Mass and reception at St. Ann Church, Bishop Peter Jugis injected a note of laughter amid the sadness, expressing his hope that "the second coming of the Poor Clares will come before the second coming of Jesus Christ."
The Poor Clares moved to the diocese from Ohio in 2010, living in a small house next to St. Ann School that they converted into their monastery, where they prayed for the people of the diocese and for an increase in priestly vocations. Over the past five years, the nuns have been a welcome sight at diocesan celebrations including ordination Masses and the annual chrism Mass. They have served as a constant witness to the beauty of consecrated life, living in service to the Church through their sacrifices of prayer, penance and semi-enclosure.
At their farewell Mass on Oct. 31, Bishop Jugis shared what he believes is the legacy the Poor Clares leave to the diocese: "For one thing, the legacy of joyfully following Christ. The Poor Clares are joyful sisters. They have the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and living in Him," he said. "Have you ever seen a sad Poor Clare of Adoration?"
"The Poor Clares' charism of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament stands as a living example of the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus is here – really, truly and substantially present in the Eucharist – and the Poor Clares perpetually remind us of this beautiful truth and treasure of the Catholic faith."
At the reception after Mass, Mother Dolores Marie expressed a few words of thanks before being overcome with emotion. She and the other five sisters spent much of the party hugging the many children and other people from around the diocese who came to wish them well, everyone's smiles mixing with tears.
Following the news of their upcoming departure, there has been an outpouring of love for the Poor Clares.
"It has been a huge blessing and a piece of heaven for our family to have the Poor Clares here with us in Charlotte for five and a half years," said John and Lucy Torres, parishioners of St. Ann Church. "Saying goodbye will be difficult, and we will miss them tremendously. We are forever grateful to God for having them in our lives."
"Upon hearing the news of their transfer at the mandate of the Holy See, I could only think of the words of the angel to St. Joseph, 'Rise, take the Child and His Mother, and go.' Through our Holy Father, the nuns of St. Joseph Monastery now receive these same words. This cross is difficult to accept, and yet we can be confident that their unwavering 'yes' to Jesus Christ and His Holy Church will bring a shower of graces to us and to their new home," said Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, who regularly celebrated Mass for the Poor Clares.
Abbey and Rick Lejk, parishioners of St. Ann Church, said, "Ever since their arrival on our campus at St. Ann's, the Poor Clares have been a beacon of love, a fount of joy and a source of hope. They are a group of ladies who shine constantly with God's blessings which they share unhesitatingly with all. These holy ladies, chosen by God to serve all, will leave a hole in our parish that will never be filled until they return. We pray for their safe trip and pray that they return to us very soon."
"Having the Poor Clares here in our community has been such a blessing to our family, especially our daughters. Seeing their beautiful vocation in action has been a tremendous reminder of how joyful the consecrated life can be and how it must please Our Lord," said Bill and Debbie Rusciolelli, members of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. "We will, of course, miss having them nearby but our prayers will never be far."
"Thanks in part to their powerful prayers for vocations, both my brother and my son are now in seminary for our diocese," said Beth Ohlhaut of St. Ann Church. "Their friendship has borne fruits for our diocese and our family that are immeasurable. Our love for them won't change with the distance, but we will so miss seeing them and just knowing they're here praying with us and for us."
"For so many of us here in Charlotte, it was like having a little bit of heaven right there in that small brick house off Hillside Avenue. Being with the sisters – even for a few minutes – was always an opportunity for grace. Hearing them chant prayers in their chapel or just seeing them at Mass always lifted my spirits," said Aleanne Kennelly of St. Patrick Cathedral. "The Poor Clares have shown us how to live as saints. Their lives are full of selfless love and holiness, sacrifice and discipline, unwavering faith and trust in God and, of course, devotion and prayer to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. They have a spiritual strength and wisdom that comes from this devotion ... but it is the pure joy of the Poor Clares that is perhaps their greatest gift. Their faces glow with happiness and it draws people to them. We could never thank them enough for all they have done for us."
"Our son Chris was one of the first to meet the Poor Clares when he helped unload the rental truck with their belongings when they moved to Charlotte. I think they started praying for him then and continue as Chris grows in his faith," said Allen and Gini Bond of St. Mark Church, whose son Chris is a seminarian for the diocese. "We have been truly blessed to have them as our dear friends but also as great prayer warriors for us, our diocese and our Holy Catholic Church. They will be missed but know that each time we turn on EWTN we will remember them. May their order prosper and grow."
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
An outpouring of love for the Poor Clares
Like the many past and current sisters that have been and continue to be an integral part of St. Ann's history, it is with a sad heart that they will be relocating. Their dedication and love for the Church is evident in their silent devotion and spiritual reverence. Their quiet presence will be missed.
— Dr. George Raad
Having the Poor Clares here in our community has been such a blessing to our family, especially our daughters. Seeing their beautiful vocation in action has been a tremendous reminder of how joyful the consecrated life can be and how it must please Our Lord. We will, of course, miss having them nearby but our prayers will never be far. If it be God's Will, we look forward to having them back in North Carolina in the near future.
— Bill and Debbie Rusciolelli and family
I first met the Poor Clares shortly after they arrived at St. Ann's when Father Reid asked me to help them with a few things. What began as a request for help grew into a deep and abiding friendship that has been a great blessing for me and for my family – a lifelong gift. My husband Kevin teased me early on saying..."you can't keep going by to see the Poor Clares all the time. They are contemplative nuns and they have a mission to fulfill!!" And of course I knew that. But whenever I had the chance to help I welcomed the call. And whenever I needed their prayers, they welcomed me into the monastery.
For so many of us here in Charlotte, it was like having a little bit of heaven right there in that small brick house off Hillside Avenue. Being with the sisters – even for a few minutes ‒ was always an opportunity for grace. Hearing them chant prayers in their chapel or just seeing them at mass always lifted my spirits.
The Poor Clares have shown us how to live as saints. Their lives are full of selfless love and holiness, sacrifice and discipline, unwavering faith and trust in God and of course devotion and prayer to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. They have a spiritual strength and wisdom that comes from this devotion and they in turn give peace and comfort to all around them. This was true for my family and I would without question want the Poor Clares by our side in any battle.
But it is the pure joy of the Poor Clares that is perhaps their greatest gift. Their faces glow with happiness and it draws people to them. I have a quote on my refrigerator from Juliana of Norwich that says..."The greatest honor you can give Almighty God, greater than all your sacrifices and mortifications, is to LIVE JOYFULLY because of the knowledge of His love." The sisters live this quote every day.
We could never thank them enough for all they have done for us. It is a heartache to send them to Alabama and they will be greatly missed. But we will trust God–as they do–that He has a plan and we pray Our Lord will send them back to us one day to fulfill their mission here in the Charlotte diocese.
— Aleanne Kennelly
Ever since their arrival on our campus at St. Ann's, the Poor Clares have been a beacon of love, a fount of joy and a source of hope. They are a group of ladies who shine constantly with God's blessings which they share unhesitatingly with all. These holy ladies, chosen by God to serve all, will leave a hole in our parish that will never be filled until they return. We pray for their safe trip and pray that they return to us very soon.
— Abbey and Rick Lejk, parishioners at St. Ann Church in Charlotte
It has been a huge blessing and a piece of heaven for our family to have the Poor Clares here with us in Charlotte for five and a half years. Saying goodbye will be difficult, and we will miss them tremendously. We are forever grateful to God for having them in our lives.
— John and Lucy Torres
The sisters have become very special friends of our family through these brief five and a half years. They've inspired my daughters to make and sell St. Therese sacrifice beads to help them build their monastery and one of my sons to landscape their front yard and install a new St. Joseph statue for his Eagle Scout project. And thanks in part to their powerful prayers for vocations both my brother and my son are now in seminary for our diocese. Their friendship has borne fruits for our diocese and our family that are immeasurable. Our love for them won't change with the distance but we will so miss seeing them and just knowing they're here praying with us and for us.
— Dan and Beth Ohlhaut and Family
It has been a huge blessing and a piece of heaven for our family to have the Poor Clares here with us in Charlotte for five and a half years! We will always remember the many beautiful and 'funny' memories we shared together with them. Saying goodbye will be difficult, and we will miss them tremendously, however, we are forever grateful to God for having them in our lives. They will always be close to our hearts and in our prayers as we wait for God's Divine Providence to hopefully bring them back to Charlotte again.
— John and Lucy Torres and family
For nearly five years it was my great privilege to offer Mass for the Poor Clares on Monday afternoons. I was fortunate to serve as master of ceremonies for the First Profession of Sister Gabriella, and a year later to offer the Mass when she renewed her vows. The opportunities to join with them for the Solemn Professions of Sister Marie Therese and Sister Immaculata were times of grace and favor. I treasure those times of prayer and the opportunity that I had to be in the presence of those who so clearly radiate the joy of Jesus Christ.
Upon hearing the news of their transfer at the mandate of the Holy See, I could only think of the words of the angel to St. Joseph, "Rise, take the Child and His Mother, and go." Through our Holy Father, the nuns of St. Joseph Monastery now receive these same words. This cross is difficult to accept, and yet we can be confident that their unwavering Yes to Jesus Christ and His Holy Church will bring a shower of graces to us and to their new home.
I am a better priest because of the prayers of the Poor Clare Nuns and the honor that I had to exercise my priestly ministry for them.
— Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe
Our son Chris was one of the first to meet the Poor Clares when he helped unload the rental truck with their belongings when they moved to Charlotte. I think they started praying for him then and continue as Chris grows in his faith.
The Poor Clares are family to us and their first Easter in Charlotte was spent with them and the rest of our family for a special Easter celebration. We will never forget their facial expressions as they pulled away, with all our grandkids, for a hay ride in a large wagon pulled by a tractor driven by our son-in-law. All we could hear was giggles and laughter during the entire ride, such fun!
We have been truly blessed to have them as our dear friends but also as great prayer warriors for us, our diocese and our Holy Catholic Church. They will be missed but know that each time we turn on EWTN we will remember them. May their order prosper and grow.
— Allen and Gini Bond, whose son Chris Bond is a seminarian for the diocese
BREVARD — Deacon Charles C. Dietsch has been granted the faculties of a deacon and assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Brevard by Bishop Peter J. Jugis.
He and his wife of 49 years, Dorne Jo, moved to Brevard from the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.
He was ordained in 1985 for the Archdiocese of Miami and then relocated to Connecticut in 1988, where he spent many years in ministry.
— Deacon Ron Steinkamp