CHARLOTTE — Jesuit Father James Shea left St. Peter Church in Charlotte last week after six years as pastor. He will take up a new assignment with his religious order at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
“This parish has grown a great deal in the last years,” Father Shea said in a special video message to parishioners posted to the parish’s Facebook page. “We’ve grown in numbers, but more importantly, I think, we’ve grown in depth.
“So many more people have learned to go deeper in prayer. We’ve taken advantage of our Jesuit heritage in important ways – both in terms of experience of God in prayer and of a faith that does justice. I’m very grateful.”
Barbara Gaddy, lead sacristan at the parish, thanked Father Shea on behalf of the people involved in the parish’s ministries for his leadership and the speakers he brought in to explore and better understand the liturgy and the faith.
“Thank you from the depths my heart for the ways that you called us to go deeper. And you did that from the very first time you spoke here, and it was always a challenge for us to go deeper,” Gaddy said. “Your homilies will be sorely missed.”
Watch Father Shea’s farewell message online at www.fb.watch/5U-nyhVP6M.