About Our Lady of Grace · Lancaster, South Carolina
Our Lady of Grace is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Charleston, located at 7095 Waxhaw Highway in the Indian Land / Lancaster area of South Carolina. The community, which calls itself 'Team Grace,' was born in 2008 out of a conversation at a Saint Philip Neri parish picnic and grew from a Sunday evening Mass at a local Methodist church into a thriving parish of nearly 800 households. Now housed in a dedicated church consecrated in 2016, the parish is led by its first canonical pastor, Very Rev. Jeffrey F. Kirby, VF, STD, and is known for a robust daily Mass schedule, an extensive confession and adoration rhythm, and an active outreach to the Lancaster County community.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- Our Lady of Grace (the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Mary of Nazareth)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jeffrey F. Kirby, VF, STD
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Deanery: Rock Hill)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Grace is a young, fast-growing Catholic community in the Indian Land / Lancaster area that offers something rare for a parish of its size: a full daily Mass schedule (Monday–Thursday at 12:00 PM, plus three Sunday Masses), an unusually rich confession and adoration rhythm with multiple daily slots and weekly devotions, and a wide menu of ministries organized under Pastoral Outreach, Evangelization, Social, Prayer, Liturgical, Advisory, and Buildings and Grounds teams. Active programs include children's faith formation, a Teen Core peer leadership program, Vacation Bible School, a Gianna caregiver support group, Right to Life initiatives, a Diaper Drive for HOPE in Lancaster, and a young theologians / vocations program. The parish's mission — 'Authentic Biblical Christianity in Action,' modeled on the Acts 2 community and on Mary of Nazareth — invites families and individuals looking for a prayerful, scripture-centered Catholic home in the Charlotte–Lancaster corridor.
Mass times at Our Lady of Grace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 12:50 PM – until last penitent; 6:00 – 6:55 PM
- Tuesday: 10:30 – 11:00 AM; 12:45 PM – until last penitent; 6:00 – 6:55 PM
- Wednesday: 10:35 – 11:00 AM; 12:45 PM – until last penitent; 6:00 – 6:55 PM
- Thursday: 10:30 – 11:00 AM
- First Friday: 8:00 PM to midnight
- Saturday: 3:00 – 3:45 PM
- First Saturday: 9:00 – 10:20 AM
Adoration times
- Monday: 12:45 PM – 2:15 PM
- Tuesday: 6:05 PM – 6:55 PM (Vespers with Adoration, followed by Benediction at 6:55 PM)
- Wednesday: 12:45 PM – 2:15 PM
- Thursday: 10:35 AM – 11:20 AM
Parish Identity and Mission
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church describes itself as an 'Acts 2' parish and styles itself as 'Team Grace' — a grateful member of 'Team Charleston' and a joyous member of 'Team Catholic.' Its mission statement reads: 'As a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, Our Lady of Grace seeks to know and share God's Word, live as a community of Christian disciples, devoutly celebrate the Holy Mass and other sacraments, provide a prayerful environment for all people, and serve the poor and those in need in Christ's Name. In this way of life, Our Lady of Grace Parish looks to Mary of Nazareth as its model and patron.' The parish's tagline summarizes this as 'Authentic Biblical Christianity in Action.'
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Rock Hill Deanery)
- Self-described 'Acts 2' parish, modeled on the early Christian community
- Patron and model: Mary of Nazareth (Our Lady of Grace)
- Tagline: 'Authentic Biblical Christianity in Action'
Parish History
The community was born from a summer 2007 conversation at a Saint Philip Neri Church parish picnic, with the first Mass celebrated on February 9, 2008 at Belair United Methodist Church. A 12-acre donation of land and a modular building in 2008 led to the Parish House and a first on-site Mass on January 6, 2011. The community was formally named a Mission of Saint Philip Neri Parish at a 2013 groundbreaking, the new church was consecrated on August 15, 2016 by Bishop Robert Guglielmone, and the Mission was raised to parish status with Father Jeffrey Kirby as its first canonical pastor on September 1, 2018. The church mortgage was paid off in 2019.
- 2007: Founding conversation at Saint Philip Neri parish picnic
- Feb 9, 2008: First Mass at Belair United Methodist Church
- 2008: 12-acre land and modular building donated
- Jan 6, 2011: First Mass on parish property in the Parish House
- 2013: Groundbreaking and named Mission of Saint Philip Neri
- 2014: Holy Angels Columbarium constructed
- Aug 15, 2016: Church and altar consecrated by Bishop Guglielmone
- Sep 1, 2018: Mission raised to parish; Father Kirby named first canonical pastor
- Dec 8, 2019: Church mortgage burned at Anniversary Mass on the Immaculate Conception
First Pastor: Father Jeffrey F. Kirby, STD
Very Rev. Jeffrey F. Kirby, VF, STD, has served Our Lady of Grace since September 1, 2016, first as diocesan Priest Administrator of the Mission and then, from September 1, 2018, as its first canonical pastor. Ordained a Catholic priest in 2007 by Bishop Robert Baker, Father Kirby holds a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and is a 2016 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor. He is also a Papal Missionary of Mercy, an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Belmont Abbey College, host of 'The Morning Offering with Father Kirby' and 'Daily Discipleship with Father Kirby,' Rock Hill Dean, and a Consultor of the College of Consultors.
- Diocesan Priest Administrator of Our Lady of Grace, Sep 1, 2016 – Sep 1, 2018
- First canonical pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Sep 1, 2018 – present
- Rock Hill Dean, College of Consultors Consultor
- Adjunct Professor of Theology, Belmont Abbey College
- Papal Missionary of Mercy; 2016 Order of the Palmetto recipient
Devotions and Prayer Life
The parish keeps a rich weekly rhythm of novenas and devotions: the Poor Souls Novena on Monday, Saint Therese on Tuesday, Saint Peregrine and Saint Dymphna on Wednesday, and Devotion to Saint Joseph and Prayers to Saint Michael on Thursday. The Holy Rosary is prayed at the Holy Angels Columbarium on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:30 AM, Morning Prayer (Lauds) is sung at 10:05 AM, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on Fridays at 3:00 PM. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays at 7:00 PM.
- Mon: Poor Souls Novena, Rosary at the columbarium, Lauds
- Tue: Saint Therese Novena, Vespers with Adoration and Benediction
- Wed: Saint Peregrine, Saint Dymphna, Saint Francis of Assisi novenas
- Thu: Devotion to Saint Joseph, Saint Michael prayers, Padre Pio devotion
- Fri: Divine Mercy Chaplet; Lenten Stations of the Cross at 7 PM
Christian Formation and Youth
Christian Formation is described by the parish as 'a lifelong sojourn in which we continually grow in our faith, learning to serve our fellows and bring others into the loving embrace of Christ.' The parish runs a children's faith formation program coordinated by John Paul Rusciolelli, a Teen Core peer leadership team (with diocesan training weekends), Vacation Bible School, and a Young Theologians Program that has hosted the diocese's Vicar of Vocations for a Holy Hour for Vocations and parish visits. The Gianna Caregiver Support Group meets monthly for those caring for an adult loved one.
- Children's Faith Formation (CCD)
- Teen Core peer leadership team
- Vacation Bible School (OLOG VBS)
- Young Theologians Program and Holy Hour for Vocations
- Gianna Caregiver Support Group (monthly meeting)
Outreach and Social Ministries
Our Lady of Grace operates Pastoral Outreach, Social, and Social Outreach ministries that work with local community partners. The parish supports HOPE in Lancaster (the local social outreach center) with a regular charitable tithe, runs a Right to Life ministry with an annual Diaper Drive helping local families, and offers a faith-based Gianna Caregiver Support Group. The parish also hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on its campus and has welcomed CPR training for staff and volunteers.
- HOPE in Lancaster (charitable tithe partner)
- Right to Life Ministry and Diaper Drive
- Helping Hands, Hospitality, Nursery Helpers, Parking Greeters, Collection Counters
- Alcoholics Anonymous (on campus)
- Gianna Caregiver Support Group
Parish Staff and Volunteers
Father Kirby is supported by a small but well-named team: MJ Wallace serves as Pastoral Associate; Wesley Dry is Director of Buildings and Grounds; Brock Conner, CPA, is Comptroller; Sandy Petrizzo is Safe Environment Coordinator; Noah Rusciolelli is Liturgy Coordinator; John Paul Rusciolelli coordinates Children's Faith Formation and is the First Weekend Coordinator; Carole King, MA, OFS, is Coordinator of Spiritual Formation; Sarah Henkel is Pastoral Support Coordinator; and Sue Garera is the parish's Professional Cantor. The diocese also lists seminarians assigned to the parish.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Jeffrey F. Kirby, VF, STD
- Pastoral Associate: MJ Wallace
- Comptroller: Brock Conner, CPA
- Director of Buildings and Grounds: Wesley Dry
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Sandy Petrizzo
- Liturgy Coordinator: Noah Rusciolelli
- Children's Faith Formation / First Weekend Coordinator: John Paul Rusciolelli
- Coordinator of Spiritual Formation: Carole King, MA, OFS
- Pastoral Support Coordinator: Sarah Henkel
- Professional Cantor: Sue Garera
Campus, Columbarium, and Future Plans
The parish campus sits on Waxhaw Highway in the Indian Land / Lancaster area and includes the consecrated church (seating 535), the original Parish House (a remodeled modular building that hosted the first on-site Mass on January 6, 2011), and the Holy Angels Columbarium built in 2014 next to the Parish House. The parish has identified a 53-acre parcel further down Highway 521 — affectionately called 'Catholic Land' — as the next phase of expansion, to be developed as part of the ongoing 'Building God's Kingdom' capital campaign.
- Waxhaw Highway campus: church, Parish House, Holy Angels Columbarium
- Columbarium constructed 2014; devotional prayers and Rosary offered there
- Church consecrated August 15, 2016
- 'Catholic Land' — 53-acre parcel further down Highway 521 for future expansion
Safe Environment and Pastoral Care
The parish states that it is 'committed to being a safe environment for people of all ages' and asks that anyone who suspects abuse contact the local Victim Assistance Coordinator and other authorities. Sandy Petrizzo serves as the parish's Safe Environment Coordinator, and the parish publishes a clear path for reporting concerns as part of its pastoral outreach.
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Sandy Petrizzo
- Pastoral Outreach Ministries for member care and support
Getting Involved: 'Join Team Grace'
The parish welcomes new friends and families and organizes its ministry life under a clear umbrella that includes Pastoral Outreach, Evangelization, Social, Social Outreach, Administrative, Prayer, Advisory, Buildings and Grounds, and Liturgical ministries. Newcomers are invited to a New Ministry Orientation (held in August in recent years, with afternoon and evening sessions) and to take part in a Ministry Fair that highlights ways to plug into parish life. The parish also points visitors to its social channels and its YouTube channel for ongoing formation and community updates.
- New Ministry Orientation sessions
- Annual Ministry Fair
- Nine ministry families: Pastoral Outreach, Evangelization, Social, Social Outreach, Administrative, Prayer, Advisory, Buildings and Grounds, Liturgical
- Active partnerships with local community organizations
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Guiliani, CO2008 – August 2016
Founding priest; led the community from its first Mass in 2008 at Belair United Methodist Church through its years as a Mission of Saint Philip Neri Parish in Fort Mill, SC. At the August 15, 2016 church consecration, Bishop Robert Guglielmone announced Father John's return to Saint Philip Neri and the Rock Hill Oratory.
- Very Rev. Jeffrey F. Kirby, VF, STDSeptember 1, 2016 – present
Served as diocesan Priest Administrator of the Mission (and then Parish) from September 1, 2016. Named the first canonical pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish by Bishop Robert Guglielmone on September 1, 2018. Also serves as Rock Hill Dean, Consultor to the College of Consultors, Adjunct Professor of Theology at Belmont Abbey College, and Papal Missionary of Mercy.