‘Love God, Follow Jesus, and Serve All’
MOORESVILLE — Over a weekend filled with reverent, fun and family-friendly events, St. Thérèse Parish celebrated its patronal feast day and 75th anniversary Oct. 1-3.
The church hosted three days of celebrations with activities including Mass; Adoration and veneration of a first-class relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux; a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event; a festival featuring games, food and live music; a fundraising gala; a parish fiesta dinner; a special presentation with Quinceañeras hosted by the Latino ministry; a talent show and an ice cream social.
Hundreds of parishioners attended the liturgies and social events marking the parish’s jubilee anniversary.
Ian Campos, who helped spearhead the anniversary celebration planning committee, said, “We took our inspiration from our patroness, St. Thérèse, and wanted to do a number of ‘little things’ that when put together made a big impact.”
He noted that parishioners helped pack more than 35,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger and donated over $350,000 to FeedNC and The Christian Mission. Even the cost of the parish-wide celebrations was covered by generous donors.
“For me personally, the biggest blessing of putting this together has been the people of the parish I have met. We have such a strong core – people who have willingly given of their time, talent and treasure – each going above and beyond in the true spirit of ‘Nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all you can with great love,’” Campos said.
“As the pastor here for only four years, I know that I am only a small part of the parish history,” Father Mark Lawlor acknowledged. “One of the first things that I did upon my appointment in Mooresville was to ride my bicycle over to the old church on North Main Street, which is now a restaurant. The building, which is basically on a house lot, speaks of the humble beginnings of the parish and the perseverance of the parishioners.”
“We now have a grand parish church and parish life center, but we are aware of the contributions of the faithful and the pastoral leadership over the years,” he said.
Father Lawlor concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass Oct. 2 along with the main celebrant, Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. They were joined at the altar by Father Bernard Oleru, parochial vicar, as well as Father Paul Asoh, former parochial vicar who is now pastor of St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva. They were assisted by newly ordained Deacon Joe Smith.
During his homily, Monsignor Winslow expounded on the life of St. Thérèse, a Doctor of the Church, noting her childlike confidence in God, even in her adulthood, and the significant impact her life and writings have had on the Church.
“You have a blessed patron for this parish,” he said. “And on the occasion of the 75th anniversary, it is good to remember that as this parish grows older, it should always be ever young. Because whether it is the youngest members of the parish or the oldest members of the parish, our goal is to be forever young in the eyes of God. … I encourage you to reflect upon the ways upon which you and I are called to be childlike before God.”
Jack Hastings, a parishioner for the past 22 years, is chairman of the stewardship committee and served as one of the lectors at the anniversary Mass. He observed, “The growth that has come (to St. Thérèse) from people moving into the area obviously brings with it the cultures and influences from different parts of the country. … It has brought people with different viewpoints. It makes the parish more well-rounded.”
Gail Benson, a parishioner for the past 11 years, is the chairperson of the parish’s Evangelization and Communication Commission. She also serves on the
Welcome Committee and Stewardship Committee, and she chairs the Virtual Rosary group. “I love the parishioners and enjoy working with a dedicated and passionate group of people. They are always working to make our parish a vibrant community,” she said.
“I love that we have over 70 ministries to help us grow in our faith and to serve others. There is something at St. Thérèse for everyone,” Benson added.
Sophia McNiff and her husband Jim have been parishioners for the past 17 years. Both are involved in ministries and groups at St. Thérèse. McNiff said, “I love helping those in need. The parish is welcoming to all.”
“From 12 people coming together in 1946 for the first Mass to where it stands today, St. Thérèse will always be special, because no matter how big it becomes, it is rooted in that humility of the Little Way Spirit,” Campos explained.
He said the parish “feels like our International Festival has as many flags flying as the UN, but we are all one faith family. We have been blessed to have many wonderful Redemptorist, Jesuit and diocesan priests who have given this parish its unique blend of spirituality and community.”
“Of late, the priests from the Missionaries of St. Paul serving our diocese have added even more to our unique blend of spirituality and community,” he added.
After the 75th anniversary Mass on Oct. 2, Campos assisted Monsignor Winslow and Father Lawlor in unveiling a commemorative plaque, which now hangs outside on a brick wall overlooking the piazza near the front doors of the main church.
“As our commemorative plaque says, we wanted to honor the faith, fortitude and dedication of ‘the pioneer priests and parishioners who exemplified the Little Way Spirit and gave us our spiritual home,’” Campos said.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
The history of St. Thérèse Church
The St. Thérèse community of faith, celebration and service began Jan. 6, 1946, as the St. Gerard Mission of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis. Redemptorist priests came to the Van Hoys’ home on North Church Street to celebrate Mass for about a dozen people. The Catholic population of western North Carolina was about 6,000.
In 1949, as St. Thérèse Mission, the faith community occupied its next home at 761 Main St. The church was a reconstructed chapel from Camp Lejuene, seating about 168 people, with the pastor’s quarters in a loft above the church. St. Thérèse Church became an independent parish in 1956, and in 1957 it constructed an addition for the pastor’s quarters and later offices. In 1961, the parish acquired a home next door for a rectory, and in 1967 another home was purchased to be used for classrooms. At that time, the parish had three buildings on 1.57 acres and was comprised of about 50 families.
In 1972, the Diocese of Charlotte was created. In 1983, the Mooresville parish added a meeting room to its facilities. The parish, then with more than 100 families, took over Catholic Campus Ministry at Davidson College from St. James Church in Concord. The Catholic population of the diocese had risen to more than 63,000 people.
St. Thérèse Parish’s connection with the Jesuits of the Maryland Province began in 1970 with the pastorate of Jesuit Father Calvert Brown, whose warm, friendly personality helped him win over the hearts of many Protestants in the Mooresville area. Through the years the parish was blessed with a long line of wonderful Jesuit priests. Each encouraged and inspired the faith community with their special charism and Ignatian spirituality.
On July 20, 1986, the parish broke ground at the church’s current site on Brawley School Road. Having sold its former church building, the parish met at Central United Methodist Church until moving into the new church on Jan. 30, 1988. At that time, the parish had 310 families.
By late 1992, the Catholic population of the diocese had surpassed 75,000 people and St. Thérèse Parish, with 735 families, had become the fastest-growing parish in the diocese. In March 1997, with its congregation continuing to grow, St. Thérèse Church was divided into two parishes with the formation of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. St. Mark took over the campus ministry at Davidson College.
By March 1998, St. Thérèse Parish had grown to the number of families it had before the establishment of St. Mark Parish. The parish had 1,080 families and was fast outgrowing its space. A capital campaign was launched to construct a parish life center to house the parish’s education and music ministries, as well as a social hall to accommodate parish-wide events, sports and holiday Masses.
In September 2002, the Lewis Mack Parish Life Center, named for one of the parish’s founding members, was dedicated. The Parish Life Center brought new life to the parish and enabled expanded ministries in the parish and in the community.
In 2011, the parish’s Building Committee commissioned a new church. On Dec. 7, 2013, parishioners celebrated the groundbreaking for a new 1,200-seat church, then gathered again for the blessing of the new church’s altar beam on April 29, 2014. Families were given an opportunity to sign the beam.
On March 28, 2015, the new church was dedicated, with Bishop Peter Jugis presiding.
The following year, on Oct. 1, 2016, the parish celebrated its feast day with a festival and the blessing of a marble statue of St. Thérèse, donated by the Sisters of Mercy at Sacred Heart Convent.
On July 11, 2017, the Jesuits departed the parish, and it reverted to the care of diocesan priests.
Father Mark Lawlor was installed as pastor on Aug. 31, 2017.
Today St. Thérèse Parish has 2,921 registered families, and 800 children and youth in its faith formation programs. It is estimated to be the fifth largest parish in the Charlotte diocese.
There are more than 70 active ministries at the parish, including a number of outreach programs. Parishioners are active at FeedNC (formerly the Mooresville Soup Kitchen) and The Christian Mission and support two backpack Food Ministries that serve local schoolchildren and their families. The Christmas Giving Tree program provides gifts to the poor in the Mooresville community.
An increasingly important part of the parish’s outreach efforts has been its work among the Latino population of the area. Although the number of parishioners who speak Spanish as their first language hovers at around 15 percent, the church’s work extends far beyond the parish boundaries. The future looks bright because of the increasing number of people who are settling in the diocese.
— St. Thérèse Parish contributed.
History of pastors at St. Thérèse Church
1946-1954: Redemptorists from Kannapolis
1954-1970: Diocesan priests
1970: Consolata Society priests
1970-2017: Society of Jesus (Jesuit) priests
2017-: Diocesan priests
Pastors
1946-1947 Father Francis L. Funk and Father James Malley
1948-1950 Father Michael Downing and Father Walter Bueche
1951-1952 Father Michael Downing and Father Howard J. Herold
1953 Father Michael Downing and Father Walter Cavanaugh
1954 Father Paul Laicher and Father Stanislaus Morawski
1954-1956 Father Stephen A. Sullivan
1956-1959 Father Edward Beatty
1959-1966 Father Joseph J. Waters
1966-1970 Father Vincent I. Erb
1970 Father John Radaelli, IMC
1970-1974 Father J. Calvert Brown, SJ
1974-1977 Father John P. Brown, SJ
1977-1981 Father Paul J. Gilvary, SJ
1981-1982 Father Samuel R. Pitts, SJ
1982-1990 Father William G. Kelly, SJ
1991-1994 Father Andrew Novotney, SJ
1994-1999 Father Robert D. Wiesenbaugh, SJ
1999-2005 Father James McAndrews, SJ
2005-2017 Father Vincent Curtin, SJ
2017- Father Mark S. Lawlor
CHARLOTTE — MiraVia will host its 27th annual fundraising banquet at the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom this year, with the option to watch online, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14.
Bishop Peter Jugis and other priests and deacons of the diocese will be in attendance.
The “Proclaiming Truth and Life” banquet will feature keynote speaker Alison Centofante, a powerful pro-life activist and director of external relations for Live Action, the nation’s largest pro-life media group focused on shifting public opinion through education.
MiraVia, which began as Room At The Inn in 1994, helps abortion-vulnerable women choose life and build independent, healthy lives for themselves and their children.
At its outreach facility in Charlotte, MiraVia offers free life skills classes, material assistance and moral support to the women who come to them for help. Since its founding, MiraVia has helped nearly 9,091 women and their children at its outreach program.
In 2013 it opened a 10,000-square-foot maternity home at Belmont Abbey College that can house up to 15 young women with an unplanned pregnancy who want to complete their college education and care for their babies. To date, MiraVia has provided this free housing at its college maternity residence to 62 mothers and their children. Since the first pregnant mother’s admission in December 1994, the residential program has served 587 mothers and children.
Registration to view the “Proclaiming Truth and Life” banquet online is still open, although sign-ups for in-person attendance have ended. Go to www.miravia.org for more information and to register. Questions? Contact Megan Whiteside at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 704-525-4673, ext. 13.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter