About Our Lady of the Americas · Biscoe, North Carolina
Our Lady of the Americas is a multicultural Catholic parish located in Biscoe, Montgomery County, North Carolina, within the Diocese of Charlotte. Founded in 1989 by Bishop John F. Donoghue and Oblate Father Gerard Clarke, it was the first Catholic church established in Montgomery County and grew out of outreach to the rapidly expanding Hispanic population of the surrounding rural area. Today the parish serves approximately 1,000 Catholics through Spanish and English liturgies, an active faith formation program in both languages, and an English-language program for Hispanic parishioners.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Americas (with a prominent devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe)
- Rector
- Reverend Ricardo Fabio Sanchez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Americas is one of the most welcoming multicultural parishes in central North Carolina, where Hispanic and Anglo Catholics worship side by side and ethnic lines disappear into a cooperative community of roughly 1,000 faithful. Weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, faith formation classes taught in both languages, an English-language program for Hispanic parishioners, an active food pantry serving the homeless in Biscoe, and ministries for every age — from altar servers to lectors, greeters, and Eucharistic ministers — make it easy to plug in and serve.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Americas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
About Our Parish
Our Lady of the Americas describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.' Founded in 1989 as the first Catholic church in Montgomery County, the parish now serves roughly 1,000 Catholics in the Biscoe area through bilingual (English and Spanish) Masses, faith formation, and outreach. Newcomers and visitors are invited to register via the paper forms in the South and North foyers or by emailing the parish office. The parish tagline on the website reads: 'A welcoming and inclusive community.... Como una comunidad cordial, que acoge la diversidad....'
Parish History
The parish was founded in 1989 by Bishop John F. Donoghue and Oblate Father Gerard Clarke, who had previously served as chaplain at the Hispanic Center in Charlotte. Bishop Donoghue dedicated and blessed the church in February 1990, with two Spanish Masses and one English Mass scheduled from the start. Volunteers renovated the interior in 1992, and the parish was originally a mission of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle. By the mid-2000s, with more than 2,000 immigrants having arrived in the previous fifteen years and a total local Hispanic population of about 5,000, Bishop Peter J. Jugis broke ground on April 9, 2005 for a permanent, wheelchair-accessible church on a 15-acre site in Candor, five miles east of Biscoe.
Humble Beginnings
The parish was launched as a multicultural outreach to the growing Hispanic community of the Diocese of Charlotte. From the earliest days it has combined Anglo and Hispanic parishioners into a single worshipping community, with about 100 Anglo parishioners working alongside their Hispanic brothers and sisters. A multicultural celebration attended by several hundred Montgomery County Catholics marked an early milestone.
Our Hispanic Heritage
The church's bilingual identity is reflected in its devotional life. An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is venerated at the parish, and a large candle with many colored bands representing the flag colors of Hispanic peoples adorns the church. The parish explains that Our Lady of Guadalupe was specified patroness of Latin America in 1910 by St. Pius X and patroness of the Americas by Pope Pius XII in 1945, making her devotion meaningful to both Hispanic and Anglo Catholics.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Ricardo F. Sanchez as Pastor ([email protected]). Deacon Charles Hindbaugh assists in ministry, and the rest of the staff includes Maria Esmeralda Galarza-Duarte (Secretary / Administrative Assistant / Bulletin Editor), Penny McGrath (Music Ministry / Organist), Jorge Chavez and Arturo Sanchez (Spanish Faith Formation), and Dennis Sheridan (Bookkeeper, [email protected]). All staff can be reached through the parish office at 910-974-3051 or via the online contact form.
- Pastor: Fr. Ricardo F. Sanchez
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Charles Hindbaugh
- Secretary / Bulletin Editor: Maria Esmeralda Galarza-Duarte
- Music Ministry / Organist: Penny McGrath
- Spanish Faith Formation: Jorge Chavez, Arturo Sanchez
- Bookkeeper: Dennis Sheridan
Parish Office
The parish office is located at 298 Farmers Market Road, Biscoe, NC 27209, and can be reached by phone at (910) 974-3051 or by email at [email protected]. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, and the RCIA process for adults. Baptisms require advance registration at the parish office, birth certificates, and proof of pre-baptismal class for parents and godparents. Marriages require at least six months' notice and at least one party must be a registered, active member of the parish. Couples should contact Fr. Ricardo or the office to begin preparation.
Baptism
English community Baptisms are celebrated every second and fourth Sunday of the month after the 9:00 AM Mass. Saturday Baptisms in either language are scheduled twice a month at 10:00 AM, by appointment and subject to availability. The Spanish baptism preparation class meets the first or second Wednesday of every month from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM in the Social Hall. Godparents must be practicing Catholics, at least 16 years old, and have received the Eucharist and Confirmation; out-of-town families must bring a letter of permission from their home parish.
Marriage
The sacrament of marriage is described on the parish site as 'a visible sign of God's love for the Church' and 'a lifelong bond of unity.' Couples must give at least six months' notice and at least one party must be a registered member to reserve the church. Contact Fr. Ricardo or the parish office to begin.
Faith Formation / Religious Education
The parish's educational mission is carried out by volunteers through an active faith formation program taught in both English and Spanish. Hispanic parishioners also have the opportunity to learn English at the church. Classes meet on Sundays in the parish's classrooms and Social Hall.
- English First Communion: Sundays at 10:00 AM
- Spanish First Communion (Comunión): Sundays at 11:30 AM
- English Confirmation: Sundays at 10:00 AM
- Spanish Confirmation (Confirmación): Sundays at 2:00 PM
- RCIA / OCIA English: Fridays at 5:30 PM
- RCIA / OCIA Spanish: Fridays at 6:00 PM
RCIA / OCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — sometimes called OCIA — is the parish's formal process for initiating new members into the Catholic Church. It is a communal journey through the Pre-Catechumenate, Rite of Initiation, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy, supported by a sponsor team. The team welcomes non-baptized adults seeking full initiation and already-baptized Christians seeking Eucharist and Confirmation, walking with them in study, prayer, and faith-sharing over weeks and months. Deacon Charles Hindbaugh ([email protected]) is the parish contact.
Ministries & Parish Life
Parishioners can serve in a wide range of ministries at Our Lady of the Americas, from liturgical roles (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Liturgical Linen Service) to welcoming and care (Greeters, Ushers, Flowers and Grounds, Food Pantry). Music Ministry is led by Penny McGrath. The Finance Council advises the pastor on financial matters, while the Parish Pastoral Council and Fellowship Committee guide parish life. Anyone interested in serving can call the parish office at 910-974-3051.
- Music Ministry — Penny McGrath
- Altar Servers — Maricruz Rubio
- Finance Council
- Baptism Preparation
- Offertory Counters
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — Judy Collins
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Fellowship Committee
- Flowers and Grounds
- Sacristan
- Greeters
- Lectors — Tom Liddy
- Ushers — Denise Hale
- Liturgical Linen Service
Outreach: Food Pantry
Our Lady of the Americas partners with First Baptist Church in Biscoe to provide hot meals to the homeless on a monthly basis through its Food Pantry ministry. The contact person is Liz Jefferson; interested volunteers should call the parish office at 910-974-3051.
Get Involved
The parish welcomes new members and visitors. Registration forms are available in the South and North foyers of the parish, and can also be requested by emailing [email protected]. Volunteers are needed across every ministry listed above, and the parish office is happy to help connect newcomers with the ministry that fits their gifts.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gerard Clarke, O.M.I.1989–1997
Founding administrator; previously chaplain at the Hispanic Center in Charlotte; established the first Catholic church in Montgomery County with Bishop Donoghue.
- Fr. Mark Lawlor1997–1999
Served as administrator of the parish.
- Fr. Fidel Melo1999–2001
Served as administrator of the parish.
- Fr. Ricardo Sanchez2001–present
Native of Costa Rica; began as administrator in 2001, now Pastor.