a Catholic Parish serving the University Area of Charlotte North Carolina

We are Live Streaming Masses via our Facebook Page. Daily Masses will be streamed each morning at 9:00 a.m. Sunday Masses will be streamed at 9:30 a.m. The stream will begin 5 to10 minutes early for your family to join, settle in, and prepare for Mass. We will lead a reflection at Communion time to make a Spiritual Communion. You can get the readings online if you'd like to follow along. 

 

To join the live stream via Facebook either utilize the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet or login to Facebook on your device.

 

All Holy Week and Triduum Liturgies & Events will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.  

 

Hours Church is Open for Prayer during the Triduum:
Holy Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Good Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Confessions: Monday-Friday 6:00 -7:00 p.m. Saturday, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Except during the Triduum)

Holy Week Liturgies & Special Events
Palm Sunday, April 5: 9:30 a.m. Palms and Palm Crosses will be available in the Church during the times when the Church is open for prayer - please do not handle them, but simply choose one and only touch the one you are taking. Following Mass there will be a Eucharistic Procession in Time of Plague & Epidemic (pdf to pray along)
Tuesday, April 7 :  8:00 p.m. Adoramus Te, Christe - Choral Meditations on the Stations of the Cross (Pdf to follow along)
Morning Prayer for the Triduum:  9:00 a.m.
     Breviary Prayers: Thursday   Friday   Saturday
Holy Thursday: 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday Passion Liturgy: 3:00 p.m.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service: 8:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday: 8:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

Lenten Almsgiving - GATE Pregnancy Center
At the beginning of Lent, we passed out baby bottles to help collect funds for GATE.  However, at this time, we cannot collect the bottles back.  During this difficult time, it's important that we support these organizations that support mothers in need, especially when Pro-Life leaders are being arrested unjustly.  You can show your support by donating here.  Thank you for your generosity!


Holy Week at Home

We have some further resources for both adults and children 
to celebrate Holy Week at home. 

Family Devotions Sign up

We would like a parishioner or a family to commit to praying one or more of these prayers below each day.  Some of these may be new devotions to you, and we hope it can enrich your spiritual life.  Many of these prayers include promises by Our Lord.

Sign up here

View links to the prayers here

Adoramus te, Christe (Stations of the Cross with Music) Livestreamed Tuesday of Holy Week.

 

On Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m., we will livestream the beautiful Lenten devotional:  Adoramus te, Christe – Choral Meditations on the Stations of the Cross here at STA. Fr. Bean will lead us in the Stations using the beautiful texts written by St. Cardinal John Henry Newman; each Station is followed by a short Lenten choral piece or chant sung by our Schola, many using the Adoramus te, Christe text:

Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi:
quia per sanctam crucem  tuam redemisti mundum

We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee:
because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Popularized by the Carolina Catholic Chorale over the last several years, this presentation has been a great enrichment to the Lenten devotions of thousands throughout our diocese. We look forward to having you delve into these mysteries with us.

 

A Blessing for Healthcare Workers
and First Responders
 

The Priests at St. Thomas will be available on Monday April 6, Wednesday April 8, and Friday April 10 during Holy Week at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot to bless any and all healthcare workers and professionals. This includes but is not limited to medical staff, workers, doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, administrative staff, first responders, and any and all who are on the front lines at hospitals, doctor's offices, urgent cares, nursing homes, hospice care, and more.  If you are interested in driving by for a blessing, please come to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.  The priests will be under a tent on the sidewalk next to the parish center.  Simply drive your car up next to them, and they will give your their priestly blessing.  Please be sure to stay in car to receive the blessing.  We ask that only those who are involved in the healthcare field come during these times. 

If you cannot make it then, you are also welcome to come during our confession times, but we would ask you to wait in the confession line. Then, please let the priest know you are in the healthcare field, and would like a blessing.  Of course, you can avail yourself of the Sacrament if you'd like.

Thank you for all you are doing!

The Holy Triduum Worship Aid

Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of the Lord

 

Contact Information
 

Due to the nature of the pandemic, the office will be closed for the time being. The best way to reach the pastor and staff is by email:

For Father Matthew Codd: pastor@stacharlotte.com
For Father Matthew Bean: mpbean@charlottediocese.org
For Sacramental needs and documents:  Marie Aymar Watkinson  - maymar@stacharlotte.com
For general inquiries, scheduling and Mass intentions: Valerie Gebhardt - vgebhardt@stacharlotte.com
For financial questions: Gina Schafer— gschafer@stacharlotte.com
For general parish functions and operations: Tim Flynn— tflynn@stacharlotte.com
For online, newsletter, and Facebook communications & inquiries: Monica Bailey - volunteers@stacharlotte.com

For emergencies, call the parish office at (704) 549-1607 and follow the prompt to be directed to the emergency line.

Are you, or is anyone you know in need of a compassionate ear during this time of crisis?  More info.

Transcript of Father Matthew's Address to Parish

 

Prayers with the Sisters

Sister Edeva and Sister Zeny will lead us in the Rosary every evening at
6:30 p.m. On Sundays following the Rosary, you can pray the Sunday Evening Prayer with them. Join the livestream on Facebook.

Church Prayer

The Church will be open for silent prayer during the following times, except during the Triduum (see above):

Monday through Saturday: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sundays: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Please park in every other spot. Leave at least one empty parking spot between your car and other vehicles.  We have orange cones to help you with this.  Also, please observe

strict self-distancing of at least 6-feet between you and

other people, both in the Church, and

onsite here at St. Thomas Aquinas.
 

We are having the Church disinfected with a hospital grade disinfectant twice a week by a professional cleaning company, and we have also left spray disinfectant bottles in the narthex.  If you come to pray, please use the disinfectant bottles to help us keep the Church clean by spraying down the part of the pew you use for your visit to Our Lord.  Thanks!

 

Confession

Please park in every other spot. Leave at least one empty parking spot between your car and other vehicles.  We have orange cones to help you with this.  Also, please observe strict self-distancing of

at least 6-feet between you and other people, both

by the cars, and in the confession lines.


Monday-Friday outside from 6-7 p.m. (NEW!)
Saturday, outside from 4-5 p.m.
NOTE:  There will be no Confession
or Adoration during the Triduum.

 

Adoration & Benediction

Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. & Saturday from 4-5 p.m.

Confession will be outside the Parish Center. Please note that inclement weather may occur in the coming weeks, so have appropriate weather gear when waiting in the courtyard. The line will form on the sidewalks.  Please maintain at least 6 feet distance between you and other penitents as well as the priests, and as well properly self-distance if you are outside near your vehicle. You may complete your penance inside the Church or in your car facing the monstrance, which will be located inside the Parish Center on the second floor facing the parking lot.  NOTE: Please park every other car in the parking lot.  Do not park directly next to another car, but leave one spot in between vehicles.

Sunday Mass Live Stream at 9:30 am

Throughout the next few weeks, including Easter, we will be Live Streaming Masses each day. Daily Mass will take place each day at 9 a.m. and Sunday Mass will be live-streamed at 9:30 a.m. Please join if you are able to. It is our plan to be together as a parish community as much as we are able. Share your prayer intentions for the week in the chat, participate at home with responses, and make a spiritual communion during communion time led by our priests. 

Visits from Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament

to the Homes of Parishioners

Sadly, we cannot do our weekly visits. Please read Father's letter here. 

Other Resources for Prayer, Live Streams

of Holy Mass & Eucharistic Adoration

Below are some other prayer and devotional resources for you, as well as other places locally, nationally, and internationally that are offering live stream Masses.

Holy Mass

Eucharistic Adoration

Prayers & Devotions

Below are many prayers and devotions that you can do in your home with your family.

A Financial Update

While Holy Mass and events have been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the ministries of the parish are still active in the community and continue to depend upon your financial support. The only change to the life of the parish has been the elimination of group gatherings.

Ministries continue to meet via conference calls, faith formation continues via virtual classrooms and home assignments, Sunday Mass is being conducted and being streamed for your participation, and we continue to provide support to many of the service agencies throughout the area. Our Clergy continue to provide spiritual guidance and daily reflections.

With this in mind, I ask that you continue your financial support of St. Thomas Aquinas parish if you are not adversely impacted by this crisis. I encourage you to either mail your weekly offertory gift to the parish office at 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte NC. 28213 or by online giving. You may access the parish's online giving platform here: https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/1828. You may also drop your offertory gift off if you are here for prayer in the Church by sliding it under the back sacristy door, or on Wednesdays, if you are here for adoration or confession, you can ask the staff present and they will be happy to show you where to drop it off.

We are so grateful for your support through this difficult time, and please be assured of my daily prayer for you and your loved ones. 

Fr. Matthew