MOUNT HOLLY — For the first time in its history, St. Joseph College Seminary welcomed its incoming class of nine men onto the newly completed seminary campus at 22 Arctus Ave. after the seminary’s opening Mass Aug. 2.
The Gothic-inspired two-story building has a chapel, classroom, library, conference rooms, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices, and a guest room for speakers and visiting priests. It also includes 40 dorm rooms or “cells” for the college seminarians.
Established in 2016, St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to discern the priesthood. Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese had anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 27 this year.
Campaign fundraising is under way, with $14.5 million of the $20 million raised so far.
For information about the St. Joseph College Seminary capital campaign, go to www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org or contact Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704-608-0359 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Parishes resume liturgies following pandemic delays
Confirmation offered in the Extraordinary Form
CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Church hosted a special parishwide sacrament of confirmation in the Extraordinary Form for parishioners July 12.
Bishop Peter Jugis administered the rite of confirmation in the Extraordinary Form, which is offered in Latin according to the 1962 Missal.
During the rite, the candidates knelt before the bishop, who made the sign of the cross over them three times and then lightly slapped them on the right cheek as he told them, “Pax tecum” (“Peace”). Immediately afterwards, the candidates had their foreheads anointed with sacred chrism by St. Ann’s pastor, Father Timothy Reid.
After after the conferral of the sacrament, a High Latin Mass was offered in Bishop Jugis’ presence by Father Timothy Reid. Deacons Peter Tonon and Tom Sanctis assisted during the liturgy.
The diocese has been offering the traditional rite of confirmation at St. Ann Parish since 2016.
— Mike FitzGerald and Markus Kuncoro | Catholic News Herald
First Communion
STATESVILLE — Children at St. Philip the Apostle Church received their first Holy Communion recently, during Masses that were rescheduled from earlier in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-eight children received the sacrament during two Masses in June, with eight of the First Communicants pictured here.
— Photo provided by Connie Ries
First Communion
HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Church began celebrating First Communion Masses in June following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Masses were offered throughout the month for small groups of families until all 230 First Communicants received the sacrament.
— Photo provided by Amy Burger
Receiving the sacrament of confirmation
STATESVILLE — Twenty-nine young people at St. Philip the Apostle Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor, during a special Mass offered June 24.
— Photo provided by Connie Ries