CHARLOTTE — St. Patrick Cathedral began a new chapter Aug. 24 as Bishop Michael Martin installed Father Peter Ascik as pastor, urging parishioners to support their new shepherd in the “hard work of discipleship.”
Father Ascik is the first new pastor for the cathedral in 17 years, and the 12th in its eight-decade history.
In his homily, Bishop Martin explained Father Ascik’s pastoral role to teach, sanctify and lead his new parishioners, and he urged the congregation to work with Father Ascik “to make this parish a special place, a place that makes a difference.”
“Take stock of what it means to be a Christian in community, of what it means to be parishioners here at St. Patrick’s,” the bishop said. “Love, love, love … and then love again.”
Attending Mass each week is important but not enough, he said, and he encouraged them to take ownership, be inviting and make a difference.
“To lead in that hard journey, I am appointing this man to be your pastor, your shepherd, your leader,” he said.
Bishop Martin rallied the flock: “Are you here for him (Father Ascik)?” he asked. A woman responded with a single “yes.” He repeated the question louder and a loud “yes” resounded through the cathedral.
“Get out there,” he continued. “Be inviting. Bring people in. There are souls out there, people in this community that are struggling in life. Do we believe that Jesus will be the difference maker for them? I do! Do you?” he asked.
“Yes!” the congregation responded loudly.
By the end of the homily, the congregation seemed ready to take on that challenge.
Among them was Brett Keeter, a parishioner since 2001. “I hope he can find a way to gather more people in, and like we were hearing today, not just come and sit in Mass but be more actively engaged in the life of the parish,” he said.
Ordained in 2017, Father Ascik comes to the cathedral from St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Shelby and its mission in Kings Mountain, where he served as pastor for four years. He also serves as director of the diocese’s Family Life Office.
He said he enjoys the fact the cathedral parish has a vibrant elementary school and appreciates the parish’s historical significance. The 86-year-old cathedral saw a $2.6 million renovation in 2023, and work is now under way to renovate the rectory on campus. As one of the smallest cathedrals in the U.S., it is now too small to host most diocesan liturgies, yet it remains the beloved mother church of the diocese.
“The cathedral is a beautiful church with an important historic connection with our diocese,” he said. “As the bishop’s home church, it is also the diocese’s spiritual home.”
Father Ascik said he hopes to grow the Dilworth neighborhood area parish, which now numbers about 500 families. Founded in 1939, it was elevated to cathedral status when the Charlotte diocese was established in 1972.
“The parish has seen growth in the number of registered parishioners over the last year,” he said. “It also has a vibrant OCIA outreach – we’ve had 40 people contact the church to inquire about OCIA since last November. The community life of a parish is something that is always important to me.”
Parishioner and catechist Jake Cunnane said he already feels a connection with Father Ascik after attending a two-hour workshop he led.
“I really like him,” Cunnane said. “He has a lot of ideas on how we are going to approach the families and our teachings going forward.”
“The amount of attention he is paying and applying in his ministry here is encouraging,” he said. “I am excited to get to know him and see the gifts he will bring to our community.”
Raised in the Asheville area in a family of nine children, Father Ascik was joined at the installation Mass by several family members.
“We feel very happy and blessed,” said his mother, Karen Ascik. “I still remember when he was just a candidate for the seminary, and we came to Mass here with Bishop (Peter) Jugis. It seems like such a long time ago. It is hard to imagine, but I know that God has a plan.”
After Mass, Father Ascik reiterated the bishop’s message that faith must be nurtured and shared, both within the parish and out in the wider community.
“We need one another in our journey of faith,” he said. “No one believes alone. I look forward to collaborating with the parishioners of St. Patrick to find ways to support one another in our walk of faith.”
— Lisa M. Geraci, photos by Troy C. Hull
