CHARLOTTE — Think all your parish priest does is say Mass on Sundays and holy days? Think again.
Appointed by the bishop, pastors are ultimately responsible for every aspect of parish life – from celebrating the sacraments and teaching the faith to managing the finances and repairing the roof. While each molds his role as servant leader or shepherd to best serve the needs of his particular flock, some parts of the job are universal, laid out in Church law. Primarily, his mission is "exercising the pastoral care of the community committed to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share, so that for that same community he carries out the functions of teaching, sanctifying, and governing, also with the cooperation of other presbyters or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful..." (Canon 519)
In fact, Church law is pretty specific when it comes to the personal qualities of a pastor. For one, "he is to be outstanding in sound doctrine and integrity of morals and endowed with zeal for souls and other virtues..." (521 §2)
And his duties are explicitly described as follows:
"A pastor is obliged to make provision so that the word of God is proclaimed in its entirety to those living in the parish; for this reason, he is to take care that the lay members of the Christian faithful are instructed in the truths of the faith, especially by giving a homily on Sundays and holy days of obligation and by offering catechetical instruction. He is to foster works through which the spirit of the gospel is promoted, even in what pertains to social justice. He is to have particular care for the Catholic education of children and youth. He is to make every effort, even with the collaboration of the Christian faithful, so that the message of the gospel comes also to those who have ceased the practice of their religion or do not profess the true faith." (528 §1)
"The pastor is to see to it that the Most Holy Eucharist is the center of the parish assembly of the faithful. He is to work so that the Christian faithful are nourished through the devout celebration of the sacraments and, in a special way, that they frequently approach the sacraments of the Most Holy Eucharist and penance. He is also to endeavor that they are led to practice prayer even as families and take part consciously and actively in the sacred liturgy..." (528 §2)
And, Church law states, "In order to fulfill his office diligently, a pastor is to strive to know the faithful entrusted to his care. Therefore he is to visit families, sharing especially in the cares, anxieties, and griefs of the faithful, strengthening them in the Lord, and prudently correcting them if they are failing in certain areas. With generous love he is to help the sick, particularly those close to death, by refreshing them solicitously with the sacraments and commending their souls to God; with particular diligence he is to seek out the poor, the afflicted, the lonely, those exiled from their country, and similarly those weighed down by special difficulties. He is to work so that spouses and parents are supported in fulfilling their proper duties and is to foster growth of Christian life in the family." (529 §1)
"A pastor is to recognize and promote the proper part which the lay members of the Christian faithful have in the mission of the Church, by fostering their associations for the purposes of religion. He is to cooperate with his own bishop and the presbyterium of the diocese, also working so that the faithful have concern for parochial communion, consider themselves members of the diocese and of the universal Church, and participate in and sustain efforts to promote this same communion." (529 §2)
The list goes on, but we don't have the space here to include all of a pastor's myriad duties.
So how does all this work in reality?
The Catholic News Herald recently took its cameras to St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte to capture "a day in the life" of its pastor, Father Mark Lawlor. Ordained to the priesthood in 1995, Father Lawlor has served as pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Church since 2003. He graciously allowed us to film him all day on Aug. 4 – the feast of St. John Vianney, patron of priests – to help illuminate a portion of what all of our priests do for us each day, and how much they love serving Christ and His Body, the Church.
— Catholic News Herald
Bishop Jugis dedicates new apartment home in Charlotte Aug. 25
CHARLOTTE — Mother Teresa Villa, a new housing complex for adults with developmental disabilities in Charlotte, was ceremonially opened and dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis this week. The 11,752-square-foot facility is an answer to prayer for the families whose loved ones have moved in.
Mother Teresa Villa is a combined effort of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp., and InReach, a Charlotte non-profit that provides residential support for people with developmental disabilities.
Funding for the $2 million project came from a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund and the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. The Diocese of Charlotte also helped fund the infrastructure on the 20-acre site which will support future housing initiatives.
Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, welcomed more than 100 people to the dedication Aug. 25.
"Thank you all for being here as we celebrate the opening of Mother Teresa Villa affordable apartments. We are really grateful for your presence here," he said. "As you all know, a project of this scope does not happen by itself. It requires the collaboration and the working together of so many people, many of whom are here this morning."
He acknowledged the agencies who partnered with the diocese on the project.
Margrit Bergholz, of North Carolina Finance Agency, which provided a supportive housing program loan of $250,000, addressed those gathered: "This is a beautiful project that is providing much-needed housing for 12 residents."
Patsy Kinsey and LaWana Mayfield of the Charlotte City Council also spoke, expressing their support of the diverse housing option Mother Teresa Villa provides.
Kinsey shared a quote from Blessed Teresa: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples."
David Dougherty, chair of the InReach board of directors, then spoke about his agency's involvement in the project: "I really can't tell you how exciting it is to be a part of this project. The groundwork was laid five years ago. We are very excited to partner with the Charlotte Catholic diocese to put this project together.
"This is a different model than what we've done before. We have 40 years of experience in managing housing for people with disabilities...We've never done a 12-plex before, and it is fantastic how it's all turned out."
During his prayer of dedication, Bishop Jugis said, "When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, He made His home with us. Let us now pray that He will enter into this residence and bless it with His presence. May He always be here among us. May He nurture the love of the residents for each other, share in their joys, comfort them in their sorrows. Inspired by His teachings and example, may they seek to make their new home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ."
After walking through the building blessing the rooms and hallways, Bishop Jugis was then joined by housing leaders from the Diocese of Charlotte and local and federal governments, non-profit representatives and Charlotte City Council members to cut the ribbon on the project, situated on "Guardian Angel Lane" next to Good Shepherd Methodist Church on South Tryon Street.
"It's a really exciting opening on multiple fronts," says Jeanne Pritt, assistant director of InReach. "You have people who have had challenges affording housing, which may have kept them strapped for cash. You also have folks who will be living independently for the first time – which is a wonderful and exciting thing but it is also a transition for that individual and their family members."
Mother Teresa Villa will feature 13 units: 10 one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments, and one apartment for an on-site property manager provided by InReach. Disabled residents will pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent, and the federal government will subsidize the rest as part of HUD's Section 811 program.
Susan Summer, a new resident, was in the process of bringing in more of her belongings just before the dedication. Her mother Pat said that they had been "praying for this day for so long." She had a song called "A Mother's Prayer," by Celine Dion, that she said reflected how she felt today, knowing her daughter would be safe at Mother Teresa Villa.
Jamie Snyder, whose family are parishioners at St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, recently moved in. He said he's "getting acquainted with it." His mother Cathy shared that he had been in a group home previously and this was his first time living in his own apartment.
Kenji Kellen, another resident, is still settling in and getting used to his new apartment. He is thankful for the large walk-in shower, as he has had two strokes, and that makes his life a bit easier.
"I'm still trying to get my brain wrapped around the fact that I am in a new place," he said.
The housing complex is named for Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, a nun who dedicated her life to serving the poor and disabled. The 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner was a great friend of Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin. He had hoped to be present for the dedication but because of health issues was unable to attend.
There was also a tribute during the ceremony for Mary Kennedy, who devoted herself to the RespectAbility Ministry at St. Gabriel Church and in the local community. It honored and cherished the gifts of children and adults with special needs. She passed away in 2012. Father Frank O'Rourke, pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, and Maggie Baucom spoke on behalf of her family that was gathered for the dedication.
"We're here today to honor Mary Kennedy for her being the advocate for special housing," Father O'Rourke said. "From the first day I arrived at St. Gabriel, Mary was asking me to go to talk to Father Mo (Monsignor West) to advocate for housing. We're here today to see this beautiful tribute to her, giving her voice, and (witnessing to her) really giving her full self to advocating for Beth (her daughter) and all of Beth's friends."
The project is the first phase on the 20-acre site approved for affordable senior housing, a future adult day care center and a chapel. The site could accommodate up to 240 units of affordable senior housing when it is eventually completed. The project will also feature gardens, open space and an outdoor activity area.
Kim Johnson, the residential services manager who oversees the applications and the waiting list for the facility, was glad to see the dedication. "I think it's a wonderful thing for the people. It gives them a sense of dignity and respect and independence. They're so happy with how they're decorating their apartments. It's wonderful!"
Jerry Widelski, director of the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp., in remarks after the dedication, said of what this day and this project means to him: "It's hard to put into words. It's a joy. I really believe with the partners that we have and the extra funding that we got, it's the best looking building of its type in the U.S."
This is the third housing project for the diocesan housing corporation and the first in Charlotte. The other two are located in Mooresville and Salisbury.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter