CHARLOTTE — Fourteen parishes and ministries have received grants totaling $48,000 thanks to the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte.
The annual awards, which range from $2,000 to $5,000, are based on need and the impact the money is expected to have on local communities. They are fueled by endowments that people have made to the foundation in their wills or estate planning over the years.
“It is because of the forward planning of the parishioners in the Diocese of Charlotte that the foundation is blessed to award these grants on an annual basis,” said Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving.
The grants go toward a variety of projects around the diocese, ranging from ministries and outreach programs to repairs and additions to church facilities.
St. Elizabeth Parish in Boone received a $3,000 grant to build an outdoor fellowship site.
“It will be an area where the youth group can meet and other activities can be held,” said Father Brendan Buckler, pastor. “Also, it will have a fire pit where we can build the fire for the Easter
Vigil Mass as well, because basically we have to build the Easter fire on the ground right now. We have someone who is matching the grant, so we’ll be able to go ahead and start designing the site and building it.”
At St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Sylva, a $3,000 grant will go toward construction of a new cry room, according to Father Paul Asoh, pastor.
“Our old cry room has no direct view of the altar, so when a lot of parents take their children there, they feel they can’t participate in the Mass as fully because they can’t see what’s happening,” Father Asoh said. “We felt that it would be best to have a new cry room with a direct line of sight to the altar. That way we can accommodate both our young families with children and some of our older parishioners who get distracted when children are crying loudly at Mass. Parishioners had mentioned the need to me since I arrived here about four years ago, and I felt this was a good time to go ahead with it.”
Father Asoh said he hopes to present building plans for approval to the diocese in the next few weeks and schedule work to begin by this fall.
“Foundation endowments provide a permanent and secure source of income which will safeguard the future of Catholic entities across western North Carolina,” Rhodes said. “We are so thankful and encourage more people to consider an endowment as part of their estate planning.”
Since 2001, the foundation has awarded 426 grants totaling $1,212,000. These grants are distributed from four of the foundation’s 350-plus endowments.
The 2024 grants and the foundation’s work over the decades reflect a passage in the Gospel of John (4:37): “For here the saying is verified that ‘one sows and another reaps,’” according to Joe Gigler, who chairs the foundation’s board.
“The foundation is a vehicle for individuals and organizations to really be able to offer support to the diocese and its ministries,” Gigler said. “I love what we do because it’s an exciting time to be a Catholic in western North Carolina. With both the grants we give out and the endowments that the foundation has, we can prepare for the future along with the things we’re doing today.”
— Christina Lee Knauss
2024 Foundation Grant recipients
Our Lady of the Mountains Mission Parish, website evangelization: $5,000
St. Joseph of the Hills Church, Outreach Program, refresh religious gardens: $3,000
Holy Redeemer Church, Seal the parking lot: $3,000
St. Francis of Assisi Church, Replace church signs that were destroyed: $4,000
St. Elizabeth Church Outdoor fellowship site: $3,000
St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Construct a new cry room: $4,000
Catholic Charities, Optimizing Client Choice – Food Pantry: $3,000
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Casa Marillac Social Ministry – Food Pantry: $4,000
St. Charles Borromeo, Church United Food Relief: $3,000
Charlotte Vicariate Hispanic Ministry, Training for parish health promoters: $2,000
St. Jude Church, United Christian Ministries – Extended Roof Project: $2,000
St. Margaret Mary Church, St. Joseph Society and Barn Improvement Project: $2,000
St. Benedict the Moor Churc,h Replace basement door: $5,000
Good Shepherd, Mission Replace church air conditioner: $5,000
TOTAL: $48,000
CHARLOTTE — Couples in the Diocese of Charlotte have an opportunity to take part in a program focused on strengthening and enriching their marriages.
The Diocese of Charlotte Family Life Office is partnering with the St. John Paul II Foundation to offer the “Together in Holiness” Formation series, which brings married couples together in small faith-sharing groups at the parish level. The year-long, seven-part program includes videos and discussion, plus time for prayer and fellowship.
The Formation series is designed to augment existing marriage preparation classes for engaged couples and NFP education programs already provided by the Family Life Office.
People can learn more about the Formation series at a special wine and cheese reception set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27. It is being hosted at the St. Ann Parish Allen Center on Park Road, but couples from across the Charlotte area are invited to attend and learn more.
The diocese partners with the St. John Paul II Foundation to offer larger “Together in Holiness” conferences, but bringing marriage enrichment opportunities to parishes and homes is a new priority, according to Brendan Dudley, the diocese’s new marriage preparation and enrichment coordinator.
“The Family Life Office promotes ‘Together in Holiness’ because it offers dynamic opportunities for married couples to support each other in learning and implementing the plan of God for marriage and family,” Dudley said. “Married couples will receive insights and strength by journeying together through the various initiatives.”
Dudley has 15 years of experience in ministry at high schools, parishes and dioceses and recently played a key role in developing and launching a Catholic storefront and resource center. He holds a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in theology and politics from The Catholic University of America.
The program received a positive endorsement from Bishop Michael Martin, who praised its opportunity to bring couples together to talk one-on-one about their marriage experiences.
“We go to a conference and have an awesome experience, but then what?” the bishop said. “All married couples need a steadier reinforcement of the key dimensions of keeping your vows in Christ – slow and steady always wins the race. Don’t let your married life be a series of ups and downs. Rather, commit to becoming a part of the ‘Together in Holiness’ Formation series that will give you the resources to strengthen your relationship in Christ for the long haul.”
Couples will gather for the sessions at the home of a host couple, on a schedule they set themselves. Dudley noted the Formation series is designed primarily for couples in the early years of their marriage or with children in the home. This phase in a marriage is an important one that often gets overlooked in the area of formation, so the program is uniquely placed to serve couples who are setting the foundation for their families.
“The Formation series is an incredible opportunity for couples to grow together year-round in small communities, supporting each other in their call to holiness and desire for marriage enrichment,” Dudley said.
The Formation series is growing in the Charlotte area, and the Family Life Office hopes to bring it to parishes across the diocese, Dudley said.
The connection between the diocese and the St. John Paul II Foundation dates back to 2017, said Jessica Grabowski, director of the diocese’s Respect Life Program. Since 2018, the diocese has partnered with the Foundation to present seven “Converging Roads” conferences focused on medical and pro-life issues and eight “Together in Holiness” conferences centered on strengthening marriages.
For couples interested in attending a one-day “Together in Holiness” conference, the diocese is offering two this fall, both on Saturday, Nov. 16 – one at St. Barnabas Church in Arden and another at St. Ann Church in Charlotte. On-site childcare is offered to help accommodate the schedules of couples with young children.
“What started as an idea on a phone call has developed into a long-lasting and truly fruitful collaboration, which I could never have imagined at the time,” Grabowski said. “It has been wonderful working with the Foundation to bring all of their initiatives serving life and family to the people of our diocese.”
For more information about the “Together in Holiness” Formation series, contact Rachel Townsend at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For more information about the “Together in Holiness” conferences, contact Alexandra Landrigan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— Christina Lee Knauss