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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina

Three Franciscans launch unique outreach with Charlotte diocese

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Bringing Jesus to the streets

052325 Friars 2Franciscan Fathers Casey Cole, Tito Serrano and Jason Damon take a walking tour through Uptown Charlotte. They are moving to the city to start an outreach ministry that will evangelize young adults outside traditional Church settings, in a collaboration with the Diocese of Charlotte. (Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — Three Franciscan friars, including a well-known YouTuber, will join the Diocese of Charlotte this summer in a new ministry to reach young adults and so-called “nones,” people who profess no religious affiliation.

Father Casey Cole, Father Roberto “Tito” Serrano and Father Jason Damon are members of the Order of Friars Minor, founded by St. Francis of Assisi. Their new ministry seeks to follow in the radical footsteps of their founder: meeting people where they are, sharing the Gospel and inspiring them to explore the Catholic faith.

052325 ColeFather Cole052325 DamonFather Damon052325 SerranoFather SerranoThe friars came up with the concept as part of their order’s time-honored efforts to evangelize in fresh and engaging ways, on the streets and in today’s digital world. Bishop Michael Martin – himself a Franciscan, although with a separate branch, the Conventual Franciscans – loved the idea.

Bishop Martin sees it as a bold response to Charlotte’s rapid growth, especially aimed at young people. With the city’s population nearing 1 million and projected to grow by 50% by 2050, the bishop says the Church must act with creativity and courage.

“We are starting something new here,” he says. “There is a vibrancy in this region because it’s an appealing place to live and work. There are endless opportunities for this ministry to advance our mission of sharing the Good News, particularly with people who might otherwise not hear the promise of Jesus.”

THEIR MISSION IN CHARLOTTE

052325 Friars 1Franciscan Fathers Casey Cole, Tito Serrano and Jason Damon take a walking tour through Uptown Charlotte with Father Tim Stephens, pastor of St. Peter Parish. The friars will traverse the city, showing up at concerts, breweries, sporting events and more – offering a visible and approachable Catholic presence, sharing God’s Word as they walk the streets and ride the light rail.

They’ll make themselves known on college campuses, gyms, in Southend and in rapidly growing Uptown Charlotte, home to about 20,000 mostly young, single and mobile residents, with a median age of 29. Their goal: engage people where they live, work and gather – outside traditional church settings.

“We want to be with young adults – early Gen Z to Millennials – who don’t have any concept of church,” said Father Casey, whose social media presence draws thousands of followers.

Casey and his brothers recently joined Father Tim Stephens, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Uptown Charlotte, for a walking tour – their brown habits attracting curious glances from onlookers as the they posed for photos with the Firebird, strolled Latta Arcade and made their way to The Square.

“Our habits are a conversation starter,” he said, “we’re a curiosity. People may not speak to us the first time they see us, but they might stop us on the second or third time and ask who we are and what we’re doing. That is an opportunity.”

A man on a bike stopped to chat with Father Jason, one-on-one, at Romare Bearden Park. A late-lunch crowd took photos as the trio passed through. These chance encounters often give way to deeper conversations with people, who want to ask questions, seek guidance or just share what’s on their heart, the friars said.

The friars belong to the Atlanta-based Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, which encompasses approximately 700 members throughout the U.S. Friars live in community, serving God through outreach to the poor and marginalized, evangelization to young people, and teaching and operating schools and universities.

They will live near the UNC-Charlotte campus in the former rectory of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. While they will be available to help with Masses, they won’t be involved in full-time parish or campus ministry. Their focus will be public evangelization.

An important aspect of their work, Father Casey noted, is fraternity. Living together in community is part of the Franciscan way of life, and the friars hope their example – their lives, not just their words – will inspire people to grow closer to God.

The Diocese of Charlotte will employ the friars and provide housing in their first year, with a long-term goal of facilitating a self-sustaining ministry.

— Catholic News Herald Staff


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