Erma Kuboushek reached into the refrigerator at St. Matthew’s parish hall Sunday morning. She carefully removed a large cake box, turned off the kitchen lights and toted the treat to the church building, where everyone was celebrating Mass or waiting for her in the vestibule to help slice the cake.
It was a similar scene at other parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh. It was a celebration all the way in Scranton, Pennsylvania, too. That’s where the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who served schools and parishes in eastern North Carolina for decades, are based.
Centennial Sunday, which was held Nov. 17, was organized to unite the faithful through a common prayer of thanksgiving and common intercessions for 100 years of the Diocese of Raleigh.
“We have such a great love for Raleigh and North Carolina,” said Sister Carol Loughney, I.H.M., a former pastoral administrator in the diocese who now lives in Scranton and helped organize the Centennial Sunday Mass there.
Many parishes held Centennial Sunday projects, such as blood drives and collections of goods for those experiencing homelessness, leading up to Nov. 17.
At St. Catherine of Siena in Tarboro, people created 100 cards for those in western North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“The cards had messages of hope, inspiration and prayers written by our first Communion students, parish youth and families,” said Father Eric Imbao, C.I.C.M.
Father Eric said the colorful cards, which were sent to Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Charlotte were one way his parish honored the centennial. Like St. Matthew in Durham, they also enjoyed sweets, featuring the centennial logo, after Mass.
“The cupcakes were made by our Spanish community … it was a small gesture of joy and festive celebration,” he added.
In Durham at St. Matthew, Father John Curran, L.C. shared some of the history of the diocese with congregants at the 8:30 a.m. Mass. He also made a gesture for the next 100 years when he invited children to come to the altar after Mass and assist him and Deacon Desi Vikor with the recessional tasks.
“Our parish is a witness of it [the growth in the diocese] … you built this church. We are called to go out and evangelize and share the good news. And we are placing it in the hands of our kids, which is beautiful.”
The scene was especially beautiful to Maria McMahon, 79, who said she has been a part of the diocese and her parish community since before the St. Matthew Church building was constructed in 1993 and 1994.
“We used to go to Mass in gyms and homes,” she said, looking toward the stained glass behind the altar. “This is nice.”
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