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Confessions of a ‘Papa-razzi’
By SueAnn Howell
CHARLOTTE — The fourth bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, His Excellency Bishop Peter J. Jugis, celebrates 20 years of service to the diocese Oct. 24.
On his ordination day in 2003, I was glued to my computer screen, lamenting the sloth-like speed of my dial-up connection while livestreaming the Mass from St. Matthew Church, not knowing that seven years later I would have a much better view of the sacred liturgies our new bishop would celebrate.
I started working in the Pastoral Center in 2008, and by 2009 moved into the communications office. In 2010 I became the reporter/photographer for the diocesan newspaper. So for the past 13 years, I greatly enjoyed following His Excellency around; capturing sacred, historic, solemn, and joy-filled moments with each click of the shutter.
I spent many moving hours looking through the lenses of my cameras at him, poised to press the shutter release at just the right moment when something holy, or monumental, or poignant was happening.
I spent countless hours on my feet during Adoration, liturgies, processions, marches, church dedications, receptions, and ribbon cuttings, following along with this servant of God as he participated in these events.
I also spent innumerable hours kneeling on concrete or hardwood floors, or crouching down, so as to be close enough to capture sacred moments without distracting others in prayer.
Some of my favorite memories are sitting on the floor of St. Patrick Cathedral and the Charlotte Convention Center, cameras at my side, being caught up in the moment listening to his homilies, like St. Mary Magdalene did at the feet of Jesus.
When His Excellency traveled to Rome for the Ad Limina in 2012, I accompanied our pilgrims and also zipped around the Eternal City following the bishops of Region XIV as they celebrated Mass at all of the Station Churches of Rome.
I’ll never forget the moment in St. Peter’s Basilica when I was waiting for the bishops to come out of the sacristy for the Mass they were to celebrate at the altar of Pope St. John Paul II. A priest from Africa had started celebrating Mass there just moments before the bishops processed toward the altar. I tried to warn the security guards near the altar that our bishops were on their way to celebrate Mass, but they did not act. So I watched the interesting situation unfold and got a kick out of the bishops’ reactions as they were diverted to the altar of Pope St. John XXIII. Lots of smiles and expressions indicating they were at peace celebrating their Mass at another altar.
Many poignant moments occurred the day I rode with the bishops on their bus as they traveled inside the Vatican to the Apostolic Palace to meet with Pope Benedict XVI. I snapped photos of them and witnessed their joy as they entered the Apostolic Palace. A Swiss guard would not allow me up the elevator with the bishops, and demanded I walk across the expansive courtyard to wait for them. After they had all gone inside, I followed his command and found a column to lean against, then started praying the Rosary.
By the grace of God, and a little help from a priest, Our Lady, and St. Therese, I was escorted into the Apostolic Palace by a monsignor who had some pull at the Vatican, and I spent a moment in prayer while waiting for our bishops to complete their visit with the pope. I was escorted back outside and waited for them to emerge.
His Excellency and the other bishops came out of the Apostolic Palace carrying boxes containing new pectoral crosses from the Holy Father, and they all looked like children on Christmas morning who had received a treasured gift. I captured that moment in photos, and it will always be one of my most cherished memories.
So much grace was poured out upon me as I gave my ‘yes’ to God in service to Him and His Excellency Bishop Jugis, and the Diocese of Charlotte over the past 13 years. And although I am no longer a “Papa-razzi,” I confess it was one of my life’s greatest joys to view His Excellency, one of our spiritual fathers, living out the majority of his episcopate through the lens of my camera over those years.
Happy 20th Anniversary, Your Excellency, Bishop Jugis! May you have many more fruitful years.
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2012 scenes from Rome and home – Howell with Bishop Peter Jugis pre Ad Limina trip, the late Bishop William Curlin with Bishop Jugis after the Chrism Mass, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the bishops of Region XIV on the bus after leaving the Apostolic Palace.
(Photos by SueAnn Howell) |
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Special moments with Bishop Jugis – Rome 2012 after receiving a pectoral cross from Pope Benedict XVI, at the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage in 2014 with Abbot Placid Solari, blessing a Rosary for youth at Belmont Abbey at the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, a 2013 ribbon-cutting at Christ The King High School, and 2013 a reception for Holy Cross Church in Kernersville. (Photos by SueAnn Howell)
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| Photos from over the years at the Eucharistic Congress, priestly ordination, Chrism Mass, dedication and blessing at the original St. Joseph College Seminary, and Holy Hour at the Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte. (Photos by SueAnn Howell) |
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| More poignant moments – Duc In Altum women’s retreat at Belmont Abbey, Father Joseph Wasswa’s priestly ordination Mass, World Day For Consecrated Life with the Missionaries of Charity, stirring the sacred chrism at the Chrism Mass, and a quick photo opp on the steps of St. Patrick Cathedral in 2022. (Photos by SueAnn Howell) |
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Diocese marks Bishop Peter Jugis’ 20th anniversary
A Story of Growth: Churches, schools, vocations, faith
Over the past two decades, Bishop Peter Jugis has led the Diocese of Charlotte through unprecedented growth, welcoming new families, opening churches and schools, and increasing vocations — a clear sign the Holy Spirit is at work. CLICK HERE to follow the story of our growth in the timeline below: Catholic News Herald |
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CHURCHPOP
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The Catholic Miscellany
Diocese of Charleston
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The Catholic World Report
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Carolina Catholic Media
Facebook Page
Parish/School/Ministry highlights across the Carolinas! |
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ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOLAt St. Mark, we do everything through the lens of our faith! What does this mean? It means we have a volleyball team who, after being down last week against an undefeated team, used perseverance to battle back, forcing the game into a 3rd set. At a crucial point in the tied match, coach called a time out and the girls as a team prayed a Hail Mary. They practiced prayerfulness and humility turning to our Blessed Mother for her intercession. Ultimately, the girls won the match through their grit, determination, and willingness to ask our Blessed Mother for help! St. Mark sports are teaching our students to be virtuous leaders in all aspects of their lives. #virtuesinsports #winnersonandoffthecourt #20yearsofcatholiceducation #stmarklions
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As Father Rossi was blessing our school this past Friday, the second graders fell to their knees to receive the blessing. A beautiful and inspiring moment captured.  “The child is the beauty of God present in the world, that greatest gift to a family.”-Mother Teresa |
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Catholic News Herald
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Don't give up hope, even if you're going through a hard time now.  This too will pass. And it passes much more quickly when we do the intentional work to heal and move toward greater peace. It's worth the effort. If you need a helping hand along the way, get in touch. AboundingJoyMinistry.comCarolyn Klika Catholic Divorce Support Group:
Help & Healing Through Separation & Divorce
SIGN UP NOW *#10 of 10 Rules of Healthy Communication in Relationships
- Talk to each other often. **Although you may talk about various things during the day, try to spend 10-15 minutes communicating with each other about your hopes, dreams, feelings and how things are going. At these times, listen carefully, without being distracted by other things.
READ MORE |
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THE OBLIGATION with Jason Murphy
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Grace and Grit #6 Effective, Honest Communication
Shutting down or becoming abrasive with our words in the name of honesty—there’s a better way! What if we could wake another’s desire to hear us rather than close up Let's talk about how and when to speak when we're upset or another is upset with us....
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Healed and Restored Transforming Young Women's Lives: One Heart at a TimeWebsiteYou'll find all of Elza Spaedy's 'Healed and Restored' podcasts
available HERE On-Demand. |
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SENSUS FIDELIUM with Steve Cunningham
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 October Monthly Member Newsletter
Hi CCDOC Human Trafficking Awareness Committee and friends,
I attended the 10th Anniversary conference with the US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking last week and it was amazing! See all the details in their October newsletter below including information on Fair Trade month! I will be sending a sample article/bulletin post about Fair & Ethical Trade in a separate email.
**First of all, please note the USCSAHT announced their new name: Alliance to End Human Trafficking. Please watch the attached Video regarding their 10th Year Anniversary and the evolution of this great organization, and what they are planning next to help lead us all in putting an End to Human Trafficking!
*Also please note the upcoming Labor Trafficking Webinar on October 10th which you may share with your ministries and outreach groups. This crime happens all through the United States, as well as globally.
Thank you!
Kara Griffin
Charlotte Diocese CCDOC Human Trafficking Awareness Committee
CCDOC Human Trafficking Awareness Webpage
CCDOC Ethical & Fair Trade Webpage
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 Pledge Goal: $1000 per Week  Your tax-deductible gift will help keep Charlotte's 1st Catholic Radio station, AM1270 WCGC, on the airwaves and livestreaming on the Carolina Catholic smartphone app. Carolina Catholic Media is committed to share our Catholic Christian faith in this digital age with Local Evangelization that proclaims the TRUTH of JESUS CHRIST to intentionally counteract the messaging that surrounds us in our radically disordered, post-Christian culture. Have you downloaded the Carolina Catholic App on your Smartphone? PRAY * LEARN * WATCH * LISTEN * SHARE
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Saint Ann Latin Mass MinistryThis Week's Newsletter
Welcome to Saint Ann Latin Mass Ministry
If you missed our first announcement, it can be found here. Please share it with friends and family, as we continue to form this Ministry to share and encourage the liturgy and love of the Latin Mass here in the diocese. Our e-mail list is open to both St. Ann parishioners and Latin Mass supporters at other parishes. Newcomers can join our e-mail list by contacting us at: saintannlatinmass@gmail.com
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https://www.catholicexorcism.org/
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Did you attend the Monday Oct 18th Deliverance Session or pray with the recording? Please fill out the one question survey. Many thanks and blessings.
Msgr Rossetti
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Register for the free Monday, Nov 13th, 7-8pm Eastern time online deliverance session.
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Signup for online workshop Saturday Dec 9th 11am-2pm Eastern time: "Protecting Self and Family from Evil" with Msgr Rossetti, Fr. Luke and Gina. [Send scholarship requests to: stmichaelcenter77@gmail.com
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Our 5th graders and kindergarteners pair up every year as each other's prayer partner. They attend weekly mass together, do special projects together, read together, play together, and pray together. It's a beautiful tradition, and we're so proud to see our "big kids" helping to guide our youngest Jaguars. 
Prayer Partners
