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News & Herald Volume 4 Number 38 • June
Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
1995
9,
Diocese Welcomes
Three
New Men
Into Priesthood By
EDUARDO PEREZ Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE
—
On
the eve of
Pentecost, the Diocese of Charlotte ex-
tended welcoming arms to three
men
James Collins, Eric Houseknecht and Mark Lawlor pledged their lives to God and to the Church as priests. In a compassionate address, Bishop Curlin said, "These three men have been chosen by God to keep the mysteries and into the priesthood, as
gifts alive in the
Church.
What
a pre-
cious gift you have, to bring Jesus to
your brothers and sisters, you are accepting an awesome responsibility." Approximately 800 people from across the diocese
order
and
came
witnessed
to the holy
40 priests
concelebrating the ordination of 3 brothers in Christ.
The bishop told the three newly ordained priests to be men of prayer. "Prayer must be the foundation of your daily life," said Bishop Curlin. "That
is
why
today our beloved priests, when they do come together, pray together.
when you feel like praymust make time for prayer."
Just don't pray ing.
Three men became priests of the Diocese of Charlotte at the Ordination Mass at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte June 3. Father Mark Lawlor (left), Father Jim Collins (center) and Father Eric Houseknect (right) are shown here during parts of the Rite of Ordination with Bishop William G. Curlin.
Photos by
JOANN KEANE
We
In a tender moment during the rite of
newly ordained priests were welcomed into the priesthood by priests attending the ceremony. Priests welcomed them by embracing them and ordination, the
praying for them.
Bishop Curlin encouraged the three
men to love their brother priests. Find an older brother priest who may open your
Office of the Bishop
souls and your hearts and share in your
dreams.
June
2,
1995
"Be
r-4
Dear Friends
people.
13
in Christ: SENTIRE
we
CUM CHRISTO
p.m. in the Charlotte Coliseum located on the Parkway.
we
to
know
that
care about their
The bishop reminded them
and love. do the multitude awaiting you which you will, minister them," said Bishop Curlin. "You share as well as
I
with those people their struggles. Walk ahead of them like a loving shepherd, guiding them." Each candidate placed his hands between the bishop's hands to signify obedience to the bishop. Afterward, the bishop laid his hands on the head of each candidate, praying silently over them
On the same day, Mother Teresa will privately dedicate a conventwhere her Sisters will permanendy reside and who the needy in our communities of faith.
will serve
I look forward to being with you as we welcome Mother Teresa to our Diocese on the above happy occasion. There
open
love them, that
"You know
Billy
be no reserved seating; the doors of the coliseum
free to give yourself to your
Our people want
feelings."
Graham
will
that another foundation
that the priesthood is charity
You are cordially invited to see and hear Mother Teresa of Calcutta when she visits our Diocese on Tuesday, June 13 at 4:00
Make
of your priesthood, Bishop Curlin said.
Holy Spirit. newly ordained
for the gift of the will
The
at 2:00 p.m.
three
priests
are assigned to parishes in the diocese.
Father James Collins will be parochial
Wishingyou the blessings of this holy season of Pentecost, I
vicar at St. Francis of Assisi
am
Church
in
Franklin; Father Eric Houseknecht will
Always prayerfully in the Lord,
The woman whom many consider a "living saint" is coming to Charlotte. The founder of the Missionaries of Charity
will
Bishop of Charlotte
in
private
ceremonies
to dedicate
convent in the Carolinas. In her only Mother Teresa will speak at 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Coliseum. The doors of the Coliseum will open at 2 p.m. and there will be no reserved seating. her order's
Most Reverend William G. Curlin
take part first
public appearance,
be parochial vicar at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte and Father Mark Lawlor will be parochial vicar at Holy Family
Church
in
Clemmons.
For Ordination photos, see next page.