CHARLOTTE — Building affordable housing for people in need has been a goal for the Diocese of Charlotte since Bishop William Curlin established the diocese’s Housing Corp. in 2001. In the 15 years since its founding, the non-profit ministry has developed three facilities, two for senior citizens and one for disabled adults.
Now under new leadership, the diocesan Housing Corp. seeks to build even more housing units as well as reach out to skilled professionals in the diocese who can help the ministry grow.
The Housing Corp. was founded to create, maintain, promote and operate housing and accompanying services for seniors and families with low incomes, as well as other vulnerable populations. It is funded by contributions from the annual Diocesan Support Appeal.
Former director Jerry Widelski, who retired last fall, oversaw the construction of the ministry’s three housing projects: Curlin Commons, a 40-unit senior adult apartment community in Mooresville; Good Shepherd Gardens, a 19-unit senior adult apartment community neighboring Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury; and Mother Teresa Villa, a 13-unit independent living apartment community in Charlotte for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and in the case of Curlin Commons, Low Income Housing Tax Credits and a partnership with Mosaic Development Group, helped make each project a reality.
Adriel Cardenas, who succeeds Widelski as director of the Housing Corp., commends Widelski’s leadership and wants to build on his successful record.
“Jerry and the board really got the ball rolling,” Cardenas said. “I want to recognize the amazing job they did in a challenging industry. There is a lot of competition for awards, and there are a lot of regulations you have to comply with to complete these facilities.”
Cardenas comes to the Housing Corp. from Wells Fargo, where he specialized in equity investment and affordable housing. A native of Florida, he and his family now call Charlotte home.
“I hope to build on the momentum and increase the size, scope and reach of the Housing Corporation’s portfolio,” he said.
Cardenas said he would especially like to partner with parishes, as was the case with Curlin Commons and Good Shepherd Gardens. He said he hopes that more land will become available in the future to build more projects like those.
Another priority on his agenda is to add more people from across the diocese to the board of directors for the Housing Corp., he said.
Cardenas said he is looking for experienced real estate professionals and people with lending, equity investing, legal, real estate development, accounting or other related skills to fill positions on the board.
“We need the right people to help us develop and steer a long-term strategic plan,” he said.
One of those people will replace Dr. Don Joyce, who is stepping down after more than 13 years on the board.
“My hopes for the corporation are that forward momentum will continue wherever in the diocese the need is greatest,” Joyce said. “The projects that have been completed thus far certainly bode well for the location and the quality of the buildings, and I hope this standard can continue in the future.”
Elizabeth Thurbee, former executive director of Catholic Social Services (now known as Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte), is remaining on the board and said she looks forward to seeing the Housing Corp. serve seniors and other vulnerable people in the diocese.
“My hope for the board is that we are able to attract and maintain board members representing the diversity and geographical extent of our diocese, so we can fulfill our responsibility to ensure that Housing Corp. decisions reflect their mission to serve the special housing needs of vulnerable populations in our diocese with attention to them spiritually, emotionally and physically,” Thurbee said.
Anyone interested in serving on the board of directors for the Housing Corp. is asked to send a cover letter and résumé to Cardenas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before Friday, Jan. 13.
For more information, go to www.charlottediocese.org/housing
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Editor's note: This story was published Nov. 30, 2015. This year's Advent wreath is up at the church, located at 728 W Union St, Morganton.You should go see it!
MORGANTON — Advent and Christmas are a big deal for parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo Church – a really, really big deal.
At the start of each Advent season, a team of volunteers comes together to build what must be the largest Advent wreath in the diocese, if not the state. This year's wreath is made from the branches of nine Christmas trees and measures about 11 feet in diameter. The enormous evergreen creation is suspended from the ceiling, effectively crowning the nave, and the enormous scale and drama of it wows visitors.
But that's not all.
The parish takes down the Advent wreath just before Christmas and then makes an entirely new wreath for the Christmas season. Decorated with white candles and gold embellishments, the Christmas wreath adorns the church until at least Epiphany.
More than a decoration, the king-sized wreath has come to symbolize the spirit of the Morganton parish, which is comprised of a diverse number of Anglo, Latino, Vietnamese and Hmong families. The wreath requires many hands to complete, says Deacon John Martino, just as a parish community needs everyone's participation to thrive.
Pictured: Mario Diego and his family were among those who helped to make this year's Advent wreath at St. Charles Borromeo Church.
Paul Watson and Rita Gallagher install the flameless candles and ribbon once the wreath has been constructed. Melvin Castro, 9, helped carry the cut branches into the church. (Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle and Margarita Francisco | Catholic News Herald)
"Every year the Advent wreath is different. The frame is always the same frame, but it always takes on the character of the people that put it together," Deacon Martino notes.
And with its fragrant aroma and sturdy shape, the wreath offers a reflection on what it means to be a Christian, he adds. It inspires people to await the birth of Christ with exuberant hope and joy, using all of their senses in worship.
This is the 24th year the parish has built these Advent and Christmas wreaths.
The idea was conceived by Father Ken Whittington not long after he came to the parish in 1992.
"I was taken with this open space," he recalled. It seemed perfectly suited for something immense.
He mentioned the idea to parishioners Mike Koontz and George Waddell, who at first insisted that it couldn't be done. But the more Koontz and Waddell mulled it over, the more they thought it could indeed work.
They fashioned a frame using concentric rings of PVC pipe, then attached the frame to four heavy-gauge steel wires that suspend the wreath about 8 feet over the floor, midway down the interior of the church.
Flameless flickering candles replace real wax candles, for obvious reasons. Purple and rose ribbons finish off the simple design.
Father Whittington says, "I must say that the first year here, it looked very large. People were afraid of it, nobody would sit under it because they thought it would fall! But over the years ... the wreath actually looks smaller – it doesn't look so intimidating, and people are finally able to sit under it and enjoy it.
"In fact, it's sort of a mark of our Advent and Christmas season."
"It's something that's very important to us, something that's a part of who we are," adds Deacon Martino, both in terms of parishioners' sacramental life as well as their service to God and each other.
The wreath moves us all to prayerfully contemplate what church – and Christmas – are all about, he says.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Editor
