A joy to serve the diocese
CHARLOTTE — With an apple juice toast and a few kind words, employees from the Diocese of Charlotte’s Pastoral Center thanked Bishop Peter Jugis for his 20 years of leadership through unprecedented growth in the diocese, as he prepares to transition into retirement service as bishop emeritus.
The cake-and-veggie event included funny and meaningful speeches and a special photo slideshow highlighting the bishop’s tenure as spiritual shepherd for more than 530,000 Catholics in western North Carolina. Staff members had the chance to write their own special memories of working alongside Bishop Jugis and well wishes on cards that will be bound into a book for him.
Bishop Jugis expressed his gratitude and joy for the experiences he was blessed to share with the staff and the people of the diocese. He promised that in retirement, he would continue to pray for Bishop-elect Michael Martin and for the work of all diocesan ministries.
“I have a deep sense of gratitude to the Lord for all the blessings that he has bestowed upon me and upon this diocese, and for the opportunity to serve as a priest and a bishop of this diocese,” Bishop Jugis said. “It has also been a joy to observe the work of the Holy Spirit in the diocese.”
Bishop Jugis also thanked employees for their work and service to parishes, clergy, schools and the larger community.
“It’s been a joy for me to serve with you to continue the life and the mission of the Church here in this portion of the vineyard of the Lord that has been entrusted to us,” Bishop Jugis said. “It is a great responsibility that the Lord has entrusted to all of us together.”
He recalled an interview St. Pope John Paul II once gave when a reporter asked, “Your Holiness, what is the mission of the Church?” He responded, “I can give you that in one word – salvation!”
That single word, Bishop Jugis said, unites the work of everyone in the diocese.
“Salvation in Christ – that’s what we’re about here. Jesus, the way and the truth and the life, is animating us in all that we do for Him. No matter what the particular calling God has given to each of us in this life, we’re all working together in that mission of the Church. We are proclaiming the kingdom of Christ by the witness of our lives.”
— Catholic News Herald
Explore Bishop Jugis' contributions to the Diocese of Charlotte:
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Bishop Peter Jugis guided the diocese through unprecedented growth
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Bishop Jugis brings celebration of the Eucharist to diocese
Bishop Jugis has fostered diversity and inclusion of all Catholics
Bishop Jugis grew ministries and services through stewardship
Diocese marks a half-century of serving faithful
Bishop Jugis led the diocese through the aftermath of abuse revelations
Bishop Jugis creates St. Joseph College Seminary, impacts vocations for decades