About Saint Stephen [Maronite] · Charlotte, North Carolina
Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church is a small Eastern Catholic (Maronite) community serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region as part of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. Originally established as the Maronite Mission of Charlotte, it was officially renamed Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church by decree of Bishop Gregory J. Mansour on September 1, 2020. The community of roughly 40 families gathers for the Maronite Divine Liturgy in English and Arabic, with weekday Masses offered from a small home chapel at 2951 Brookridge Lane in Charlotte and Sunday liturgy celebrated at St. Matthew Catholic Church's Waxhaw campus at 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Road.
- Patron
- Saint Stephen (the Protomartyr)
- Rector
- Rev. Rodolph (Rudy) W. Wakim, Administrator
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite Catholic — an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Pope). The parish is geographically situated within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, which provides local hospitality and shared facilities.
Why belong here
Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church offers Charlotte-area Catholics — and anyone drawn to the Maronite tradition — a chance to worship in the ancient Syriac-Maronite rite of an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Pope. The parish keeps an intimate, family-scale community of about 40 households, with weekday Mass celebrated in a small chapel and a rich devotional life that includes weekly St. Sharbel and St. Rafka novena liturgies, monthly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, Arabic language classes, and a Youth & Young Adults program. All Catholics of any rite are welcome to attend.
Mass times at Saint Stephen [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- The Mystery of Penance (Confession) is celebrated before the Divine Liturgy, and any time upon request by contacting Father for an appointment.
Adoration times
- Every Thursday at 11:00 AM, following the 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy, at the chapel at 2951 Brookridge Lane, Charlotte, NC 28211
History & Identity
Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church began as the Maronite Mission of Charlotte, serving the Lebanese-American Maronite faithful and other Eastern Catholics across the Charlotte region of western North Carolina. In a decree dated September 1, 2020, Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn formally renamed the mission as a parish under the patronage of Saint Stephen, the Protomartyr. The community is geographically located within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, which graciously extends hospitality and shared use of worship space in Waxhaw.
- Originally established as the Maronite Mission of Charlotte
- Renamed Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church on September 1, 2020 by Bishop Gregory J. Mansour
- Part of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Eastern Catholic, in full communion with the Pope)
- Geographic territory: Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina
Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Rodolph (Rudy) W. Wakim, who was assigned by Bishop Mansour effective October 1, 2020. Father Wakim relocated from Pittsburgh, where he had served for thirteen years as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church. He is assisted by Deacon Frank Enderle. Father Wakim has a noted devotion to Eucharistic Adoration and often shares the daily liturgy online so that homebound parishioners can join the community in prayer.
- Rev. Rodolph (Rudy) W. Wakim — Administrator (effective Oct 1, 2020)
- Deacon Frank Enderle
- Previous administrator: Rev. Antoun Youssef (now at Saint Ann Maronite Church, Scranton, PA)
Sacraments
Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church in the Maronite tradition. Preparation is required for Baptism, Chrismation, First Communion, and Marriage, and the parish asks that families begin arrangements well in advance. Confessions (the Mystery of Penance) are heard before and after every Divine Liturgy and by appointment, and sick calls are arranged by contacting the parish office.
- Baptism & Chrismation — preparation required; arrange at least 1 month in advance
- First Communion — preparation required
- Marriage — arrangements at least 6 months in advance
- Confession (Mystery of Penance) — before/after Divine Liturgy, or by appointment
- Sick Calls / Anointing — notify the parish office if hospitalized
Devotions & Devotional Life
The parish maintains a rich devotional life rooted in Maronite spirituality, with two weekly saint novenas and weekly Eucharistic Adoration.
- St. Sharbel Liturgy & Novena — Mondays at 6:30 PM
- St. Rafka Liturgy & Novena — Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration — Thursdays at 11:00 AM, following the 10:00 AM liturgy
Faith Formation & Education
Beyond the regular liturgical schedule, Saint Stephen offers formation opportunities for parishioners of all ages. Arabic language classes are held every other Sunday at 11:00 AM at the Waxhaw campus (contingent on participation), helping preserve the language heritage of the Maronite tradition. The parish also welcomes all young people to its Youth & Young Adults gatherings.
- Arabic language classes — every other Sunday @ 11 AM (Waxhaw)
- Youth & Young Adults — all are welcome
Locations & Worship Spaces
Because Saint Stephen does not yet have a dedicated parish church building, the community makes use of two worship spaces. Weekday Masses and Eucharistic Adoration are celebrated in a small chapel that is part of the rectory at 2951 Brookridge Lane in Charlotte. The Sunday Divine Liturgy takes place at St. Matthew Catholic Church's Waxhaw campus, generously shared by the Latin-rite parish.
- Weekday chapel: 2951 Brookridge Lane, Charlotte, NC 28211
- Sunday liturgy: 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173 (St. Matthew Catholic Church — Waxhaw)
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 49021, Charlotte, NC 28277
Contact & Communications
Parishioners and visitors can reach Saint Stephen by phone, email, mail, or through the parish's online channels. The parish website is ststephenclt.org, and the community maintains a YouTube channel and Facebook presence for livestreams and announcements.
- Phone: (704) 412-1016
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.ststephenclt.org/
- YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCHpQT_1-H_jxaUw9ArZIe3g
- Facebook: Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church
Becoming a Parishioner
New parishioners are warmly welcomed into the Saint Stephen family. Registration can be completed by calling the parish office at (704) 412-1016. All Catholics of any rite — Maronite, Roman, or other — are welcome to attend Mass and receive the sacraments here.
- Call the parish office to register
- All Catholics of any rite are welcome to attend
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Antoun YoussefPrior to October 1, 2020
Administrator of the Maronite Mission of Charlotte; reassigned by Bishop Gregory J. Mansour to Saint Ann Maronite Church, Scranton, Pennsylvania, effective October 1, 2020.
- Rev. Rodolph (Rudy) W. WakimOctober 1, 2020 – present
Appointed Administrator of Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church effective October 1, 2020. Previously served 13 years as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.