VP candidate Paul Ryan attends Mass in Charlotte
Last Updated on Friday, 31 August 2012 11:47 13 August 2012
CHARLOTTE — St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte had a surprise visitor for the 7:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Aug. 12.
Newly-named Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan attended Mass with one of his children and a Secret Service contingent.
Celebrant Father Andre Mangongo, parochial vicar of St. Gabriel Church, said he noticed the sunglasses and ubiquitous ear-pieces of the Secret Service agents as he was greeting people before Mass.
"He walked up to me and said, 'I am Representative Paul Ryan, and this is my son,'" recalled Father Mangongo. "I welcomed him to the church, congratulated him on being chosen and told him that we would be praying for him."
Ryan told the priest that he did not want any special attention. Father Mangongo said the VP candidate sat in the middle of the church among other early morning worshippers.
Father Mangongo's sermon focused on the Gospel proclamation by Jesus that He is the Bread of Life. No special prayers or recognition was given to Ryan.
During the Mass the Secret Service agents stood at the entrance doors watching the congregation.
Ryan received Holy Communion in the hand, and after Mass he thanked Father Mangongo and hurried off to a Republican Party rally in Mooresville.
Parishioners were abuzz with the news that a newly-minted political celebrity was in their midst. Several expressed admiration that even though Ryan is in the glare of the national political spotlight he had an obvious priority to attend Sunday Mass.
Said Father Mangongo, "We are open to everybody who comes, they are all our sons and daughters, we minister to them. Everybody is welcome in the Church."
— David Hains, Director of Communication
Pictured: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Republican U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney, walk with Ryan's daughter Liza to the Romney campaign bus after Ryan was introduced as Romney's vice presidential running mate during a campaign event in Norfolk, Va., Aug. 11. Ryan, a Catholic, chairs the House Budget Committee. (CNS photo/Shannon Stapleton, Reuters)
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RESOURCES
- Read the Catechism in a year: A little to read every day, emailed each morning during the Year of Faith
- USCCB: Stories, videos and more about the Year of Faith
- Annusfidei.va: Vatican's Year of Faith website
- Catholic Relief Services: Features and stories about Year of Faith
- My Year of Faith App: Daily prayers, reflections and thoughts
- Video Catechism for Teens: A free online resource for youths and young adults
- Weekly video series: “C4: Ignite Your Catholic Faith”
- OnceCatholic.org: Geared for people who have left their Catholic faith
- Explore the Sacraments: An 8-part video series on the Sacraments
FROM THE PASTORS
Read and listen to homilies posted regularly by pastors at parishes within the Diocese of Charlotte:
- Fr. Frank Cancro at Queen of the Apostles
- Fr. Patrick Earl at St. Peter in Charlotte
- Fr. John Eckert at St. John the Baptist in Tryon
- Fr. Timothy Reid at St. Ann in Charlotte
- Fr. Benjamin Roberts at Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe
- Fr. Patrick Winslow at St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte
- Watch full Masses live and on demand, listen to homilies and reflections from Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury
- Listen to homilies from St. William Catholic Church in Murphy
