HUNTERSVILLE — When the St. Mark Church community was formed in 1997, parishioners first met in a nearby bowling alley, just down the street from the current location on Stumptown Road. Eventually the Monsignor Joseph Kerin Family Center was built, followed by the school and then the 1,400-seat church complete with a bell tower, piazza and fountain.
During the parish's early years, a daily Mass chapel was created out of the old library space in the Monsignor Kerin Family Center where parishioners would go to pray throughout the day. Eventually weekly Eucharistic Adoration was introduced and then in 2011, Perpetual Adoration was offered in the former daily Mass chapel which was no longer needed after the new church was built in 2009.
Over the course of time, parishioners saw the need for improving the Perpetual Adoration Chapel which had been renamed for retired pastor Monsignor Richard Bellow who introduced the practice of perpetual adoration to the congregation at St. Mark.
Over the course of the summer, the parish has witnessed the transformation of the Adoration chapel by local artist Jacob Wolfe.
Pictured: Adorers pray before the Blessed Sacrament in the newly renovated Adoration Chapel at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. (Mike FitzGerald | Catholic News Herald)
Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church, shares how the renovations unfolded.
"Prior to my arrival, a number of parishioners had expressed to Father Arnsparger (the former pastor) a desire to beautify the chapel," he explains. "When I arrived, I spoke with the folks that were interested and asked Jacob to offer some ideas. He put together the plans and we moved forward."
We live in a world that often puts function first, Father Putnam said. "We decorate area shopping malls and our houses and often treat our places of worship as nothing more than warehouses. To some degree, art for the sake of art and beauty has been lost.
"Creating something beautiful simply because it is for the glory and honor of God and our edification is at the heart of the matter. We wanted to do something that expresses our love for the Blessed Sacrament and helps those who come to adore meditate upon Him and the glory of heaven."
Wolfe, the Catholic artist and designer who grew up in Tryon, began to explore his love for art during his college years at Appalachian State University in Boone. He developed his skills under the guidance of Father Patrick Winslow, then pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon.
Wolfe also studied furniture design and has since studied under a master sculptor and a master carver. He says Michelangelo's phrase "sempre imparo," meaning "to learn more," has become the motto for each project he undertakes.
"As far as inspiration is concerned, the chapel itself was designed in a Romanesque style with hints of baroque," Wolfe explains. "Most of my motivation for this design was found in the beautiful layers of 'Cathedra Petri' at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome designed by Bernini in 1666.
Artist Jacob Wolfe uses a stencil to paint gold stars on the ceiling of the redesigned chapel. Wolfe did touch-up work like this late at night to minimize disruption for the adorers. (David Hains | Catholic News Herald)"Bernini was known for many things, but I am most amazed by the way Bernini was able to unite art, sculpture and architecture into one true work of art. This idea of these two parts working as one is something I always strive for with my work."
Wolfe notes that, although there were budget restrictions as in any project, "we were able to pull together a design that works for the small space and unites both an architectural façade with sculptural elements.
"The Holy Spirit relief along with the other sculptural elements are all designed to surround the monstrance containing Our Lord with beauty. Also, these elements give those praying a sense of meditation and reflection on the glory of the Holy Eucharist."
Longtime parishioners Gini and Allen Bond, who helped start Perpetual Adoration at St. Mark Church, are thankful for the redesigned chapel.
"My husband Allen and I are so very grateful to Father Putnam and the parish donors that made this beautiful renovation of our Adoration Chapel a reality," Gini Bond says. "Our Eucharistic Lord now has a throne that gives Him great honor.
"The golden rays of the Holy Spirit which are now the image behind the monstrance remind me of the stained glass window depicting the Holy Spirit in St. Peter's in Rome. These images help to lift my spirit heavenward during my time of Adoration."
That is exactly what Wolfe hoped for with his design.
"From the lion medallion in the flooring to the crowns in the stencil work, the chapel was redesigned to help keep one's focus on Jesus while having a beautiful sacred space to do so."
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. Other photos provided by Amy Burger.
CHARLOTTE — By the mandate of the Holy See, the nuns of St. Joseph Adoration Monastery, currently based at St. Ann Parish in Charlotte, will merge with the community of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Ala., under the leadership of Mother Dolores Marie. Both communities are part of the same religious order, the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, founded in 1854.
The merger is expected to take place this fall.
Our Lady of the Angels Monastery is known for its founding abbess, Mother Mary Angelica, who was also the foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network, EWTN. Mother Angelica has been in declining health since suffering a stroke in 2001. She was named Abbess Emerita for Life in 2009 by the Holy See and will continue to reside at the monastery in Hanceville.
The six members of the Charlotte community will increase the membership of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery to 11 solemnly professed members, including Mother Angelica, in addition to those in formation.
In 2010, the community of St. Joseph Monastery, then located in Portsmouth, Ohio, was invited to the Diocese of Charlotte by Bishop Peter Jugis.
Over the past five years, the Poor Clares, in conjunction with the Te Deum Foundation, have acquired more than 500 acres in Cleveland County. A future monastery for the Poor Clares and a regional seminary have been planned for the site.
The monastery building project will be placed on hold for now, but the Poor Clares will maintain their ownership of the property.
Pictured: The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration will be leaving the Diocese of Charlotte this fall, merging with their sister community in Hanceville, Ala. Members of the contemplative order are pictured during the Eucharistic procession through Charlotte during the Eucharistic Congress Sept. 12. (Photo by SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald)
According to Mother Dolores, "The Holy See hopes that this decision to merge the two communities will lead to a flourishing of vocations, that one day we may be able to send sisters back to build St. Joseph Adoration Monastery."
The nuns of St. Joseph Adoration Monastery find it difficult to leave this diocese which they have called their home, Mother Dolores said. They have found the Diocese of Charlotte to be a place where their cloistered, contemplative vocation could flourish and which was well supported by priests and laity alike, she said.
She also said that they are very thankful for the many blessings they have received during their past five years in Charlotte.
"Even though we will be separated by distance, we will continue to hold in our hearts and prayers all those we have had the privilege of meeting during our time here. We especially wish to thank Bishop Jugis, who so warmly invited us to the diocese and has been a tremendous support, along with the priests who have provided for our sacramental and spiritual life, our seminarians, as well as the many families and individuals who have prayed and provided for us in so many ways."
The Charlotte monastery also produces altar bread that is used in the sacrifice of the Mass at 100 churches in North Carolina, Alabama, Indiana and Texas. The move to Hanceville will not impact this part of the nuns' ministry, Mother Dolores said.
Bishop Jugis expressed his heartfelt wishes for God's continued blessings upon the Poor Clares.
"The presence of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration and the joyful witness of their life of contemplative prayer for the Church and for the world, have been great blessings for all of us in the Diocese of Charlotte," he said. "The nuns have found a very special place in the hearts of the faithful of the diocese. We offer our humble prayers for God's continued blessings upon the sisters, and we beg the Good Lord for a flourishing of religious vocations to this beautiful monastic community."
— Catholic News Herald