GREENSBORO — Members of the Igbo Catholic Community in the Diocese of Charlotte attended a June 16 Mass offered in their native language by Father Marcel Amadi and assisted by Deacon Emmanuel Ukattah at St. Mary’s Church.
“Igbo language Mass is important for spiritual growth as Igbo Catholics,” said Professor Godfrey Uzochukwu, coordinator of the Mass, especially for recent immigrants and older Nigerian Catholics who do not speak English.
“This Igbo Mass is a way of thanking God in our native language and devoting a portion of our time to serve Him,” noted Father Amadi.
The Mass is offered four times each year at St. Mary’s Church, with the next liturgy scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15. All are welcome.
MOORESVILLE — Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and their families and friends recently gathered at St. Therese Church to commemorate “Ireland’s Great Hunger” (An Gorta Mor) with a special Mass.
The tragedy, which occurred between 1845 and 1850 and was mainly due to the potato blight, split the population of Ireland in half. Over 1 million Irish died of starvation, while another million emigrated to the United States and other countries.
The Mass was offered by Father Mark Lawlor, pastor of St. Therese and also a member of the AOH, for the intention of those who had suffered during those years of hardship. Among those attending the Mass were Patrick Tracey, N.C. AOH state president, Mary Driscoll, LAOH state president and members of the AOH’s Sons of Erin and St. Brendan the Navigator divisions, and the LAOH’s Ladies of the Lough Division.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic-Irish fraternal organization that promotes friendship, unity and Christian charity, as well as fostering and perpetuating Irish history, culture and traditions.
— Dan Callaghan and Mike FitzGerald, correspondent