BELMONT — Sister Bessie Florence McCarthy, 88, a Sister of Mercy for 68 years, entered eternal life on July 31, 2021.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 4, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. Funeral arrangements will be private due to pandemic restrictions.
Interment will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
She was born in Newport News, Va., the sixth child of Harry Joseph McCarthy and Bessie Jewel Haley. She attended elementary and high school in Hampton, Va., and earned an associate’s degree from Sacred Heart College in Belmont. She also graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Charlotte and earned a baccalaureate degree from Catherine Spalding College in Louisville, Ky.
When she entered the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Bessie chose as her motto “The Charity of Christ I Seek,” expressing the desire of her life’s journey to love the Lord.
She practiced nursing at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte; St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville; Good Shepherd Health Agency in Haysville; the mission of St. Joseph the Worker in Elkhorn City, Ky.; Holy Angels in Belmont and the Sisters of Mercy infirmary. After moving to Gastonia, she expanded her ministry to include care of the elderly, tutoring children, providing food for families, taking deprived children on recreational and educational trips, visiting prisons, and the care of ill family members.
She also served as a parish associate at St. Patrick Cathedral and Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, where she continued to serve the poor and anyone in need.
She was committed to the Sisters of Mercy, and always gave priority to works of mercy. When she heard any cry, “I need…” she always responded, “Here I am.”
She was also a woman who was fun to be around, as her many friends will testify. Her favorite food was potato chips, and her favorite activity was swimming. One description of her was:
“Usually wears a smile. Heavily armed with kindness. Thoughtful and generous.”
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Patricia Murcho and Nancy Borrner; and her brothers Harry and Edward. She is survived by her fellow Sisters of Mercy; her brother, Patrick (Butch); and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, NC 28012.
McLean Funeral Home of Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
Served the people of God for 22 years
HENDERSONVILLE — Deacon Richard “Rich” G. Voegele, 79, passed away Monday, July 5, 2021, at The Elizabeth House Hospice Care in the Asheville area.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Friday, July 9, 2021, at St. Barnabas Church (located at 109 Crescent Hill Dr. in Arden) with Father Adrian Porras, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hendersonville. Prior to the funeral Mass, the family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 9, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, located at 72 Long Shoals Road in Arden.
A native of Glendale, N.Y., he was born Aug. 9, 1941, the son of the late Rudolph and Anna Langhans Voegele.
His career included 16 years as an avionics supervisor. Later, he felt drawn to full-time study for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He then devoted his time and energy as a social worker helping those with special needs.
Soon after, his pastor encouraged him to study for the diaconate. He was ordained on May 22, 1999, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., by Bishop John R. McGann. Deacon Voegele’s first assignment was at St. Rosalie Parish in Hampton Bays, N.Y., where he served for 18 years. In 2004, he was also granted faculties for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla., where he served as a seasonal deacon for St. Sebastian Parish. Upon moving to Arden, he was granted faculties and assigned to St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville effective March 19, 2007. When he relocated to Hendersonville six years later, Deacon Voegele was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville on Aug. 1, 2013. On July 2, 2015, he was granted retirement while maintaining all faculties.
During his 22 years of service to the people of God, Deacon Richard and his wife Regina were active participants in parish activities and in outreach into the communities in which they lived.
His was truly a life of following the Spirit of God.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Regina Wieman Voegele; one sister, Maryann Stack of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials contributions be made to Hendersonville Rescue Mission, online at www.hendersonvillerescuemission.com.
Groce Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald