‘It all comes back to Jesus’
CHARLOTTE — Recalling that on the eighth day after the birth of Christ, St. Joseph pronounced Jesus’ name publicly for the first time, Bishop Peter Jugis reminded those gathered at St. Patrick Cathedral for Mass Jan. 1 that Our Lady’s distinction as the Mother of God and our bearing the name of Christians is “all because of Jesus.”
“On the eighth day after the Child is born, the holy name of Jesus is given to the baby boy born of Mary. That is what we are commemorating on this, the eighth day of Christmas – a very significant event in the life of Jesus according to Jewish law,” Bishop Jugis explained during his homily at the reduced-capacity Mass, streamed live from the cathedral for the people of the Diocese of Charlotte. (Jan. 1 is normally a holy day of obligation, but the obligation to attend Mass in person continues to remain lifted by the bishop.)
It was on the eighth day after Jesus was born that St. Joseph gave Him the name that the angel had given Him before He was conceived.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis recalled that during that Jewish religious ceremony, Jesus was brought into God’s covenant with Israel.
He also noted, “It is because of Jesus that Mary has the title Mother of God. If there were no Jesus, there would be no reason for the title Mother of God.” And, he continued, “It is because of Jesus that St. Joseph has his vocation as (Jesus’) foster father.”
“It all comes back to Jesus. It is all dependent on Jesus.”
“The Blessed Mother and St. Joseph have the extreme privilege given them by God of welcoming Jesus into the world and raising Him to adulthood. What an immense honor God bestowed upon them!”
And, Bishop Jugis continued, “What a tremendous honor God has bestowed upon us. It is also because of Jesus we bear the name Christian… Our name as a people takes its name from Christ: ‘Christian.’ We are known in this life as followers of Jesus the Savior.”
The name Jesus means “God saves,” he said.
“Just as St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother took on great responsibility, so also we – as Christians, bearing His name – take on a great responsibility of living our daily lives in faithful witness to that name that we bear.”
Bishop Jugis encouraged people to pronounce the name of Jesus as a blessing over their families for the New Year, drawing from the ancient prayer: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. So shall you invoke My name and I will bless them.”
At the conclusion of his homily, Bishop Jugis said, “Let us begin this New Year with that blessing from the Lord – along with St. Joseph, (and) along with our Blessed Mother, the Mother of God – pronouncing that most holy name, Jesus.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Pictured: Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated a livestreamed Mass Jan. 1, for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte for the people of the diocese. (Photo provided by James Sarkis)
‘Peace to this household’
CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis recently blessed Guardian Angel Villa, the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp.’s largest-ever affordable housing project, as the first residents prepared to move into their new homes before Christmas.
The housing corporation, in partnership with Douglas Development and Schaumber Development, opened the 81-unit apartment building this week, offering below-market rent for seniors in a city with a severe lack of affordable housing.
A unique public-private-nonprofit partnership made the nearly $14 million project possible, with the housing corporation and its development partners securing federal tax credits and below-market loans from the state and the City of Charlotte.
The three-story Guardian Angel Villa is located on a 20-acre tract owned by the diocese on South Tryon Street in the Steele Creek area. It is the second housing facility on a campus with room for additional development and that already includes Mother Teresa Villa for adults with developmental disabilities.
On Dec. 9, Bishop Jugis sprinkled holy water and blessed the building, noting that the Christmas season is near and praying, “Peace to this household. Peace to all mankind. May we pray that the same heavenly blessing remain upon all who live at Guardian Angel Villa and upon this building.”
Guardian Angel Villa is the fourth affordable housing project for the housing corporation, founded in 2001 to create, maintain and promote housing for seniors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable people. Overall, the diocese has made available 153 affordable housing units in Charlotte and Salisbury, which are open for lease to people of all backgrounds.
Located on Guardian Angel Lane, the 102,000-square-foot building includes two elevators and is designed for seniors aged 55 and older, including some who have disabilities. It has 27 one-bedroom and 54 two-bedroom units. Nine apartments are accessible for people with hearing and mobility challenges.
Guardian Angel Villa features a chapel, outdoor spaces with rocking chairs and benches, a large front porch and balcony where residents can relax, enjoy the gardens and socialize.
Three-quarters of the units will lease to seniors earning 60 percent or below the area median income. One-quarter will lease to those making 30 percent or below area median income. Rents are projected to range from $342 to $866, depending on income, household size and apartment size.
During his blessing, Bishop Jugis was accompanied by Monsignor Patrick Winslow, president of the housing corporation and vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, and Adriel Cardenas, executive director of the housing corporation.
The bishop began his blessing of the facility from the chapel on the third floor, praying, “When Jesus Christ took flesh of the Blessed Virgin Mary, He made His home with us. Let us now pray that He will enter this residence, this home, and bless it with His presence.
“May He always be here among the residents; may He nurture their love for each other. May He share in their joys and comfort them in their sorrows. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus and His example, may they seek to make their new home a dwelling place of love diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.”
Funding for the project includes a $9.3 million allocation of federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits syndicated by RBC Community Investments and a $250,000 loan from North Carolina. Both funding sources will be administered by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. Additional funding included a $1.75 million loan from the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund. The diocese provided the land at a substantially reduced cost.
The housing corporation co-owns and co-developed the building with Douglas and Schaumber development companies. Other project partners include Progress Design Studio, architect; Progress Carolina, general contractor; Wells Fargo, construction financing; Freddie Mac and Prudential, debt financing.
Excel Property Management manages Guardian Angel Villa and is accepting applicants.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Get information
Excel Property Management is accepting applications to Guardian Angel Villa. To apply, contact Excel Property Management at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 919-878-0522, ext. 265. All are welcome to apply.
