St. Ann

History of St. Ann's

St. Ann was founded on August 15, 1955, the Feast of the Assumption, on the northeast corner of Park Road and Hillside Avenue — the fourth Catholic parish in Charlotte. Its first pastor, Msgr. Michael J. Begley, would go on to become the first Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte; the parish he founded is also the spiritual mother of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, begun in 1961 when funds raised for an 'upper church' were redirected to found a new mission three miles south. After decades of using the 1960 crypt church, the parish undertook a dramatic renovation in 2008–2009 under architect James McCrery, and Bishop Peter J. Jugis — himself baptized at St. Ann in 1957 — dedicated the new church on December 5, 2009. The parish is proud of its Catholic schools, charitable outreach, and the stunning artwork now adorning its worship space.

• 1955 — parish established (Aug. 15, Feast of the Assumption)
• 1956 — school building completed and dedicated
• 1960 — Bishop Vincent Waters dedicates first church (Dec. 18)
• 1961 — St. Vincent de Paul parish founded as a mission of St. Ann
• 1993 — Msgr. Allen Activity Center built
• 2008–2009 — church fully renovated under architect James McCrery
• Dec. 5, 2009 — newly renovated church dedicated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Father Timothy S. Reid (pastor since 2007), with Father Brandon Holder Jones serving as parochial vicar. Three deacons — Rev. Mr. Thomas Sanctis, Rev. Mr. Artie Lekovic, and Rev. Mr. Peter Tonon — assist with parish ministry. The staff includes Virginia Blatchford (Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization), Terese Rowe (Director of Music and Choir), Terri Taylor (Liturgical Ministries Coordinator), Mark Donzella (Director of Operations & Facilities Scheduling), Sister Mary Lydia, DVM (Administrative Assistant), and supporting accounting, facilities, and parish-secretarial roles.

• Rev. Timothy S. Reid — Pastor
• Rev. Brandon Holder Jones — Parochial Vicar
• Deacons: Thomas Sanctis, Artie Lekovic, Peter Tonon
• Music: Terese Rowe
• Faith Formation: Virginia Blatchford
• Liturgical Ministries: Terri Taylor
• Operations & Facilities: Mark Donzella

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation typically begins in 1st grade, with First Holy Communion usually received the first weekend of May of 2nd grade (in either the Ordinary or Extraordinary Form). Confirmation is generally celebrated in the spring of 8th grade. The parish office can be contacted for information about Baptism, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral arrangements.

• Reconciliation (see Schedule section)
• Baptism
• First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
• Confirmation (8th grade)
• Matrimony / Weddings
• Anointing of the Sick / Funerals

Faith Formation for Children & Youth

St. Ann's Faith Formation program serves registered parishioners from kindergarten through 8th grade and runs 26 weeks each year. Using the Sophia Institute 'Spirit of Truth' series for grades K–7, classes cover prayer, Scripture, lives of the saints, sacraments, and Church traditions. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is woven into the program. The parish strongly encourages home-schooled families to enroll in Faith Formation as well. There is also a robust Home School Ministry, a Summer Catechesis program, Our Lady's Handmaidens for girls ages 11–18 (Wednesdays 6:45–8:15 p.m.), and Fraternus for boys/young men.

• Faith Formation (K–8) — Sophia Institute 'Spirit of Truth'
• Sacramental preparation: Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
• Home School Ministry
• Our Lady's Handmaidens (girls 11–18)
• Fraternus (boys/young men)
• Summer Catechesis

OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Adults interested in becoming Catholic, completing their sacraments, or learning more about the faith are invited to join the parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) process. Inquiries can be directed to Virginia Blatchford in Faith Formation at [email protected].

St. Ann Catholic School

St. Ann Catholic School, originally dedicated in 1956 as a K–8 program, today serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, staffed the school for decades until the retirement of principal Sister Helene Nagle in 2008. The school shares the parish campus with the Msgr. Allen Center, which houses the cafeteria, gym, meeting rooms, and parish offices.

• Opened: September 1956
• Grades: Pre-K through 5th
• Originally K–8; later restructured
• Formerly staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA

Parish Life & Outreach

St. Ann's parish life is built around dozens of ministries serving both the parish family and the wider Charlotte community. The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to assist those in need; the Homeless Ministry partners with the Center of Hope Women's & Children's Shelter, providing monthly Sunday dinners, Monday lunches, and after-school snack bags; and the parish collects non-perishable food on the 1st and 3rd Sundays for Catholic Charities. Additional ministries include the Bereavement Committee, the H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Endure) visitation ministry, the Hospitality Committee, the Respect Life Committee, and St. Gerard's Club, which provides meals and prayers for expectant and new mothers.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• H.O.P.E. Ministry (visits to sick, elderly, shut-ins)
• Bereavement Committee
• Hospitality Committee
• St. Gerard's Club (pregnancy & new-mother support)
• Homeless Ministry — Center of Hope
• Food Collection (1st & 3rd Sundays)
• Respect Life Committee

St. Ann Men's Club (SAMC)

The St. Ann Men's Club is a men's ministry for ages 18 and up that supports the parish and local community through fundraising and charity events. Activities include the St. Ann Carnival, Lenten Fish Fry, Super Bowl Ribs & Wings, and the Christmas Tree Sale. In one recent year the Men's Club contributed more than $25,000 to local charities including Be Not Afraid, Loaves and Fishes, MiraVia, Vigilant Retreat, and the St. Vincent de Paul and Fraternus chapters at St. Ann.

• Meets first Sunday of each month, 6 p.m. (rosary in chapel, then meeting in Allen Center)
• Annual events: Carnival, Fish Fry, Ribs & Wings, Christmas Tree Sale
• Recent beneficiaries: Be Not Afraid, Loaves and Fishes, MiraVia, Vigilant Retreat

Music & Liturgical Ministries

Liturgy at St. Ann is supported by a music program led by Director of Music Terese Rowe and coordinated liturgically by Terri Taylor. The parish choir, altar servers, and a body of liturgical volunteers support the celebration of Mass, the annual Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form on August 15, and the major liturgical seasons.

• Director of Music & Choir: Terese Rowe
• Liturgical Ministries Coordinator: Terri Taylor
• Annual Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form (August 15)
• Altar Boys ministry

Parish Office & Practical Info

Parish office hours run Monday through Friday (with reduced hours Tuesday and a lunch closure 1:00–1:30 p.m.). The parish is fully accessible for persons with disabilities. The mailing address is 3635 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209; the main phone number is (704) 523-4641.

• Address: 3635 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
• Phone: (704) 523-4641
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon 9–4; Tue 10:45–4; Wed 9–4; Thu 9–4; Fri 9–3:45 (closed 1–1:30 for lunch)
• Fully accessible for persons with disabilities