Around the Diocese
Office of Family Life and Catholic Charities Elder Ministry
For Catholic Charities Elder Ministry events, scroll to the bottom of this page.
For Diocese of Charlotte Office of Family Life events and information, scroll to the bottom of this page or visit https://charlottediocese.org/faith-life/family-life. Please scroll to see information on upcoming events.
Outreach Opportunities
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is joining the national campaign, We Are There, to promote the life-giving work of the Catholic Charities network. For 75 years, Catholic Charities has brought comfort, hope and relief to our neighbors, regardless of their faith, in the Diocese of Charlotte. The agency serves nearly 23,000 people, distributing over 600,000 pounds of food and aiding nearly 900 refugees. To learn more about the We Are There campaign, visit www.wearethere.us. To volunteer or make a gift to support the work of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, visit www.ccdoc.org.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte needs volunteers and contributions to their food pantry toiletry kits and refugee donation kits. To find out how you can help, click here.
Catholic Charities offers Supportive Services for Veterans (SSVF). We are dedicated to helping very low-income veteran families in Mecklenburg County who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our services include outreach, housing search and placement, eviction prevention, security deposits, rental assistance, child care expenses, transportation assistance, and assistance obtaining Veterans Affairs (VA) and other benefits. Veterans, please call Supportive Services Supervisor Tonya Lawrence at 704-370-3257. Let us work together to end homelessness among veterans.
Healed and Restored was born at St. Mark Catholic Church in 2020, under the guidance of Father Putnam, to tend to a need that’s been overlooked in our communities and in the Charlotte Diocese in general. Our mission is to transform female victims of trauma and assault into strong survivors who positively impact the world, believe in their worthiness, and feel God’s love. Our vision is to strengthen women who are suffering after physical and mental traumatic experiences through therapy, workshops and retreats. Our goal is to provide a residential program offering a safe, faith-filled home for women to receive care for mind, body, spirit and soul free of charge. We are growing and so are our needs. We are looking for a space to rent (commercial or residential) in the Lake Norman/Charlotte area with a minimum of 900 square feet, where we can hold group and one-on-one counseling sessions, workshops on life skills, nutrition education, and physical fitness therapy for the women we serve. If you or someone you know owns a property that you think might fulfill our needs, we ask that you reach out to us by emailing info@healedandrestored.org. With your help, we can continue to make a difference in women’s lives. Click here for more information on the Healed and Restored ministry.
The Order of Malta runs a pen pal program for those in prison, and we are looking for volunteers to write inmates. This only takes a few minutes of your time each month and a stamp. The program is anonymous and presents us with a way to be true to our call to visit Christ in prison. If you are interested in volunteering, email Maltapenpalprogram@gmail.com. We provide all of the necessary support and direction.
HOM/Catholic Charities furnishes apartments for refugee families settling in the Charlotte area. HOM needs good-condition used furniture and new and good-condition housewares. Furniture collections are the third Saturday of every month except December. Housewares and smaller household items can be scheduled for a pickup anytime. To schedule a pickup, email homfurniture.donate@gmail.com. Furniture and items currently needed include: dressers, sofas, end tables, nightstands, coffee tables, kitchen tables, lamps, pictures and artwork, throw pillows bathroom rugs, toasters, bathroom hand towels, small kitchen trash cans , cutting boards, napkins, face tissues, toothbrushes, deodorant, new queen and twin bedsheets, new or gently used queen and twin comforters and blankets. Please note that we are unable to accept the following items: bed frames or mattresses, cribs, used bed linens, glass tables, large armoires, TVs and electronics (working flat screens TV’s with a stand are acceptable).
Birthright of Charlotte, a pro-life pregnancy center is located at 4435 Monroe Road in Charlotte. For more information, click here. Currently, Birthright of Charlotte needs new or gently worn maternity clothes, baby clothes up to three months, and infant gowns and sleepers. They also need disposable diapers up to size three, hypoallergenic lotion, diaper ointment, baby wash, baby wipes and hand-crocheted or knitted baby booties. Office Volunteers serve three hours a week to provide positive assistance and aid to those facing an unplanned or problem pregnancy. They are the Life-Line of Birthright. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. To volunteer, donate and offer financial assistance, contact Executive Director Hank Chardos at hank@birthrightofcharlotte.org or 803-543-8144.
Job Opportunities
Catholic Charities Now Hiring: Fundraising Events Director Do you enjoy helping new employees feel welcomed and supported from day one? Catholic Charities is seeking a detail-oriented and people-focused Onboarding and Employee Support Specialist to provide vital support across the employee lifecycle. In this key part-time role, you will coordinate recruitment and onboarding processes, lead orientations, and deliver ongoing training and support. By guiding staff through each stage of employment, you will foster a positive workplace culture that empowers employees to serve our mission with confidence and care. Click here for a full job description and application details. Be part of a team that puts faith into action and brings hope to neighbors in need.
Catholic Charities Now Hiring: Onboarding and Employee Support Specialist Do you enjoy helping new employees feel welcomed and supported from day one? Catholic Charities is seeking a detail-oriented and people-focused Onboarding and Employee Support Specialist to provide vital support across the employee lifecycle. In this key part-time role, you will coordinate recruitment and onboarding processes, lead orientations, and deliver ongoing training and support. By guiding staff through each stage of employment, you will foster a positive workplace culture that empowers employees to serve our mission with confidence and care. Click here for a full job description and application details. Be part of a team that puts faith into action and brings hope to neighbors in need.
The Cathedral of St. Patrick is seeking a full-time parish office manager. For more information and how to apply, click here.
The Diocese of Charlotte Human Relations team currently has two positions available. Click here or email tamack@rcdoc.org for more information.
The Diocese of Charlotte has job opportunities. Click here for more information on the positions.
News
Did you know the Catholic Church supports organ donation as an act of love and self-giving? Joe Buonanno, a long-time member of our parish community, is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. If you feel called to help, please visit http://www.giftforjoe.com/ for more information.
Dr. Catherine Wright will host a Zoom EcoSabbath Series from Aug. 31 to Sept. 28. For more information and to register, click here.
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (1400 Suther Road) invites everyone to a choral musical performance led by Sacred Music Director Mara DeLuca on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 pm. After the concert, enjoy wine, cheese and dessert with a special presentation about the renovation and choir loft capital campaign. The concert is free, however; all donations benefit the capital campaign.
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church ACES Senior Club invites all seniors age 45-100+ young to join them on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11 am in the Activity Center as they celebrate Grandparents Day with a buffet lunch and laughter by our special guest Marcy Eaker. The cost is $13 per person for members and $14 per person for guests. Reservation and advance payment are required by Friday, Sept. 3. Please RSVP to Donna Anderson at 704-607-6880 (call or text) or danderson@cottinghamchalk.com. Newcomers are welcome to attend. Join or renew your annual membership for only $6 for the remainder of 2025.
The Third Annual Hope for Healing Gala is on Friday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 10 pm at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville. Join them for a night of fellowship, cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, and silent auction. The guest speaker is Michelle Benzinger from Abiding Together podcast. The gala benefits the women served by the Healed and Restored ministry. For more information, click here.
Retrouvaille Marriage Help offers a welcoming and loving space to couples who have been living with the misery of a failing marriage. Retrouvaille offers hope: hope that it is not too late, hope of a different and better marriage. Retrouvaille helps couples to show each other mercy through the opportunities it provides to listen, to forgive, to be reconciled and to move into their futures believing that God loves them and with His help and their efforts, their marriages can be healed and restored. Retrouvaille provides help for marriage problems/difficulties/ crises. For more information about an upcoming Retrouvaille Weekend program in Charlotte area Oct. 3 to 5 for couples, email 3062ac@helpourmarriage.org or call 727-343-6701. Visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.
Take time for your marriage by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experiences Oct. 24 to 26 in Emerald Isle, North Carolina or Sept. 12 to 14 in Richmond, Virginia. Early sign up is recommended. For more information, click here or contact us at applications@NCMarriageDiscovery.orgor 704-315-2144.
Join Rick and Melanie Rotondi on a pilgrimage to the most revered and holy shrines in Italy from Oct. 1 to 13, culminating with the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality Holy Mass at the Vatican celebrated by Pope Leo XIV. The pilgrimage is approved by the Diocese of Charlotte. For an itinerary, click here. For more information and to register, click here.
Deacon Larry O’Toole from St. Luke Church is hosting a Pilgrimage to Italy for the Jubilee Year from Nov. 12 to 22, through Nawas Travel. Visit Venice, Florence, Assisi, Padua, and Rome and pass through the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica and three other major basilicas. The price of $4,599 per person includes airfare, hotel accommodations, most meals, an English-speaking tour director, comprehensive sightseeing throughout, all admission fees, hotel charges, government taxes, airline surcharges, and transfers to and from airports by private motor coach. Click here for more information, including the registration form.
Pastor of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Father John Starczewski invites you on a transformative pilgrimage to the most revered and beloved Marian Shrines in the world: Fatima and Lourdes, and Paris, the “City of Lights.” The trip is from April 27 to May 7, 2026 through Nobile Travel. The cost is $6,095 per person. Click here for more information.
Join Father Michael Carlson, Pastor of St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Lincolnton, North Carolina for a nine-day pilgrimage to France from May 5 to May 13, 2026. The pilgrimage includes stops in Lourdes, Paris, Alencon, Lisieux and Chartres. Click here for more information.
St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina has a singles group for men and women 45 years old and older. They have monthly meetings as well as social events throughout the year. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, contact Judy at spnsingles45@gmail.com.
Celebrate Mass in the Byzantine Rite on Saturdays at 4 pm at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina (292 Munn Road). The Divine Liturgy is held in the Ministry Center, the building across from the main church. All are welcome. Bishop Kurt Burnette granted the Byzantine community a proper name, The Petro Oros Byzantine Catholic Mission. Father Oros was a Ukrainian priest martyred in 1953 and recently beatified by Pope Francis. For more information visit www.carolinabyzantine.com or contact Andrea Kakuk at akakuk1@gmail.com.
Catholic Charities Elder Ministry
Carepoint Incorporated, located at 6401 Carmel Road, Suite 106, offers support to caregivers on the third Tuesday of the month at 10 am. The event is free to attend. However, registration is requested by calling 980-226-5516 or emailing marissa@carepointinc.com.
Catholic Charities Elder Ministry invites you to join them for a virtual “Empowered Caregiver Series.” Each session is approximately 90 minutes and provides valuable insights and practical tools to help caregivers feel more confident and informed in their roles. To register, please use the links below for each session topic below. For additional information, feel free to contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or sandrab@ccdoc.org.
Session Topics and Registration Links:
- Thursday, Sept. 4 – Foundation of Caregiving: Explore the vital role of a caregiver, understand the changes you may encounter, build a robust support team, and master stress management. To register, please click here.
- Thursday, Sept. 11 – Supporting Independence: Learn how to help your loved one engage in daily activities, provide the right level of support, and balance safety with independence. To register, please click here.
- Thursday, Sept. 18 – Communications and Behaviors: Discover how dementia affects communication and gain tips for effectively interacting with family, friends, and healthcare professionals. To register, please click here.
- Thursday, Sept. 25 – Managing Money for Caregivers: Obtain valuable insights on managing finances for someone else, preparing for future care costs, and the advantages of early planning. To register, please click here.
- Thursday, Oct. 2 – Care and Support Services: Get expert guidance on preparing for future care decisions and changes. To register, please click here.
Catholic Charities Elder Ministry Day of Reflection with Father Patrick Cahill
Join us for a Day of Reflection with Father Cahill on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at St. William Catholic Church in Murphy. St. William Catholic Church, nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, is a sanctuary of tranquility and beauty. Surrounded by picturesque valleys, serene lakes, and meandering rivers, this charming location offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The natural splendor of the area creates an ideal backdrop for contemplation and spiritual renewal.
In this serene setting, Father Cahill will guide us through a reflective journey on “The Power of Hope.” His insights and wisdom will inspire and uplift, providing a beacon of light in challenging times. This day promises to be a rejuvenating experience, filled with moments of introspection and hope.
Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of St. William’s, and let the peaceful surroundings and Father Cahill’s guidance help you discover the profound impact of hope in your life.
Presenter: Father Pat Cahill, currently serving as the pastor of St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville and newly appointed pastor of St. Matthew, is the eldest of six children. He moved to North Carolina from Connecticut during grade school and attended Charlotte Catholic High School followed by Belmont Abbey College. His parents relocated to Atlanta while he was in college and now stay busy with their fourteen grandchildren (five in Georgia, seven in Houston, and two in Wisconsin).
Father Cahill pursued his seminary studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC (philosophy) and St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia (theology). He served as parochial vicar at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte from 2007 to 2009, and at St. Gabriel in Charlotte from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, he was appointed pastor of St. Eugene Catholic Church and Administrator of Asheville Catholic School. In 2014, he was appointed the Diocesan Director of the Mission Office, and in 2024, he was appointed to the College of Consultors by Bishop Martin.
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 23
- Location: St. William Catholic Church, Murphy
- Topic: “The Power of Hope”
- Check-In: Begins at 11 am
- Lunch: Provided by the parish at 11:30 am
- Program: 12:15 to 2:30 pm
- Wrap-Up: 2:30 to 2:45 pm
- Closing Mass: 3 pm
There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested by Monday, Sept. 15, to help the parish plan accordingly. To join us, please contact either Mary Welch, Ministry Coordinator at St. William’s, at 386-453-3859 or email maryw8349@gmail.com. or Sandra Breakfield, Program Director Elder Ministry, at 704-370-3220 or email sandrab@ccdoc.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information on all Elder Ministry programs, contact Program Director Sandra Breakfield at sandrab@ccdoc.org or 704-370-3220.
Diocese of Charlotte Office of Family Life
The Diocese of Charlotte Family Life Office invites married couples to the 7th Annual Catholic Marriage Enrichment Conference, Together in Holiness, on Nov. 22 at St. Ann Catholic Church (3635 Park Road) and St. Barnabas Catholic Church (Arden, North Carolina). The cost is $64 per couple and childcare is $5 per child. Register by Oct. 13 to receive an early-bird discount. Click here for more information and to register.
The Diocese of Charlotte Office of Family Life offers a Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and for their family members and loved ones. Whether you experience same-sex attractions (Courage) or you have a family member or loved one who identifies as LGBTQ+ (EnCourage), you are not alone. Join the Courage and EnCourage family and discover an apostolate that provides confidential support for living by the Catholic Church’s teachings on chastity and keeping family bonds intact. To learn more, visit https://Couragerc.org. To inquire about our local Courage chapter, email courage@rcdoc.org and local EnCourage chapter at encourage@rcdoc.org.
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Click here for more information on Diocese of Charlotte Office of Family Life or email FamilyLife@rcdoc.org or call 704-808-4507.