COLUMBUS, Ohio — In preparation for ordination to the transitional diaconate, seminarians in their third year of graduate study at the Pontifical College Josephinum – including Diocese of Charlotte seminarian Joseph Wasswa – made the profession of faith and took the oath of fidelity in the presence of Father Steven Beseau, rector, and the seminary community Feb. 11.
Candidates for ordination pledge to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church and swear to be faithful teachers of the Gospel.
— Photo provided by Carolyn A. Dinovo and Peter Stetson
CHARLOTTE — The 2019 Diocesan Support Appeal campaign, “We Are His Hands,” raised $6.32 million from 16,551 donors across the Diocese of Charlotte – surpassing the campaign goal of $6.08 million by 4 percent.
Overall, 25 percent of registered parishioners across the diocese shared an average gift of $382, up from an average gift of $373 in the 2018 campaign. Sixty-one percent of parishes and missions across the diocese reached or exceeded their goal.
Parishioners in all 92 parishes and missions in the Charlotte diocese fund the DSA.
Parishes that exceed their goal keep the extra funds they collect, while parishes that fall short of their goal in donations from parishioners make up the shortfall from their operating budgets.
Some of the parishes receiving rebate funds include: Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington; St. Benedict the Moor Church in Winston-Salem; St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville; St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in North Wilkesboro; St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Shelby; and St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville.
“It is heartwarming to know that so many parishioners serve others by giving gifts to the DSA, helping to change thousands of lives through DSA-funded ministries and programs,” said Barb De Mase, the diocese’s associate director of development.
The 2019 campaign continues a trend of the DSA campaign goal being achieved every year in the diocese. The 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 DSA campaigns also broke each prior year’s fundraising total and campaign goal.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter