NEWTON GROVE – Stories were everywhere. They lived on tri-fold boards that recounted parish life and displayed photos of families that helped start the community. Stories showed themselves on colorful quilts and in mementos such as diplomas and recipe cards. And they were heard in the air as people talked outside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Aug. 11.
It was part of a celebration honoring the church’s Aug. 9, 1874 consecration by Bishop James Gibbons, who would become a cardinal 12 years later.
At that time, 150 years ago, the parish was called St. Mark. Since then it’s taken not only a new name, but its spot in history. It was first parish in the Diocese of Raleigh to be desegregated in 1953. It has ties to Katharine Drexel, who was canonized a saint in 2000, and it was once led by Father Thomas Frederick Price, the first native North Carolinian ordained a Catholic priest.
Many of those who call the parish home and many who have once felt at home there gathered for the occasion that included two celebrations of Mass (one at 9 a.m. and one at 11:30 a.m.), history displays, food trucks and fellowship, such as music and games led by members of the S.A.L.T. ministry.
“The great participation shows that the Catholic community of Newton Grove is as excited about our faith as it was 150 years ago,” said parishioner Robert Zaccardi.
Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, bishop of Raleigh, was present, as well as Bishop Ned Shlesinger, auxiliary bishop of Atlanta and former Diocese of Raleigh priest. Before he was named a bishop in 2017, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe from 1998 until 2007.
They were joined by brother priests and current parish leaders Father Alvaro Riquelme, C.Ss.R., Father Fabio Marin Morales, C.Ss.R., and Father Mike Koncik, C.Ss.R.
Also present were Deacon Vince Parente, who currently serves the OLOG community, Father Mark Wise, C.Ss.R., a former OLOG parochial vicar, Father Kevin Moley, C.Ss.R., a former OLOG pastor, Father Michael Burbeck, vicar general of the diocese, Father Jim Sabak. O.F.M., Father Bill John Acosta-Escobar and Father Peter Grace, C.P.
“The highlight of my day was seeing Bishop Ned … and several former beloved pastors,” said JoAnna Godwin Parente. “[They were] getting the ‘rock star treatment’ with everyone waiting in line to take a selfie with them.”
Parishioner Angela Page had a similar sentiment, noting that seeing all the priests concelebrate Mass was a highlight.
She added that walking through the parish cemetery with her cousins was a heartwarming experience that prompted conversation about their family.
In his homily, Bishop Ned discussed the beginnings of the parish, including its founder John Carr Monk, a physician and convert to Catholicism who sought to bring racial unity to Newton Grove and, in 1871, cleared his land to build a church on it.
“We today are left with the legacy of Dr. Monk. But also a challenge to evangelize as he did. Will this community, then, continue to welcome and evangelize?” Bishop Ned asked. “The anniversary of the dedication of the church is a very special time … the Church that will evangelize in the future is not a Church which looks to its own interests … [but] exists for others … helping and serving.”
Photos
Photos by Grace Hoffman
