Registration is open for the National Black Catholic Congress being held July 6-9, 2017 in Orlando, FL. If you have not registered, please do so at the congress website https://www.nbccongress.org. Click here for additional information.

The Health Ministry is conducting a Faith Community Interest Survey to find out how the program can best meet the health interest and needs specific to the parishioners at OLC. Survey responses will remain anonymous. The survey will be available until Sunday, February 26, 2017 but we ask that you complete the survey at your earliest convenience. Your participation is voluntary, but your participation will go a long way in helping OLC move forward to building a healthier community. Click here to complete the survey.

The goal of the Health Ministry program at Our Lady of Consolation is to promote health and wholeness of mind, body, and spirit to individuals, congregations, and the OLC Community for the glory of God. The Program consist of two faith community nurses and a health promoter team. More information on the Faith Community Health Ministry to come in the coming weeks and will be available on the Health Ministry page.

“Your every act should be done with love.” 1 Cor 16:14, is the theme of the 2017 Diocesan Support Appeal. Bishop Jugis asks each of us to prayerfully consider a gift to the DSA as a way of serving Christ though service to thousands of Catholics in western North Carolina. Visit the Diocese of Charlotte website for additional information and to make your donation.

Two beautiful baskets will be raffled on Sunday, January 29th to benefit the youth from our parish attending the Black Catholic Congress. Each basket is valued over $100.00. Raffles are $5 each. Chances may be purchased from any member of the Junior Ushers.

OLC will host a Shrimp and Grits Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, January 28th from 6 pm - 8 pm in the PLC. Dinner includes shrimp, grits, salad, dessert and beverage. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from Wendy Cutting or Deborah Wadsworth or at the Parish Office. No tickets will be sold at the door.

There will be Altar Server Training on Saturday, February 4th in the Church Sanctuary from 9 am – 2 pm. Current servers and new servers, both youth and adults, who have received the Sacrament of the Eucharist (e.g. First Communion), are welcomed to attend. Lunch will be served. Contact Jermaine Dennis at jermainedennis0@gmail.com for additional information.

The Black Culture Commission of Our Lady of Consolation and the Social Justice Ministry of St. Peter's Catholic Churches presented “Charlotte Catholics: Our Stories in Black and White”.  More than 200 participants from 7 different parishes around the diocese came together at OLC on Saturday, December 3rd, to talk about how we, as Catholics, deal with the issues of racism and social injustice that exist in our community. Sr. Rose Marie Tresp of the Sisters of Mercy was the facilitor.  Click here to view the WBTV news clip.
 

Cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, bagels, rolls, muffins and much more!! Come out and help support a great cause - affirming youth. Come join us and purchase your holiday baked goods on Saturday, December 17th from 12-4 pm at the Parish Life Center, 1235 Badger Court, Charlotte, NC 28206. Proceeds benefit youth leadership and development.

In this season of Thanksgiving, the June Chavis Davenport Scholarship Committee would like to say "Thank You" to the following individuals and groups for donating to the 2016 Scholarship Fund:

 

Curly and Catherine Nimmons Family in Honor of Uncle Bailey Frank Liston

Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir

Greeters Ministry

Family Life Commission

Youth In Action

Wendy Cutting

 

The scholarship raised $2,700. The recipients of the scholarship were:

 

Fairen Sutton

St. Edwards University, Austin TX

 

Joshua Barrett

The Ladies' Guild will be hosting their Chat 'N Chew December 3rd in the Parish Life Center. Admission tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased from any Ladies Guild member. A light lunch will be served and raffle tickets can be purchased for $1.00 for the opportunity to win special themed gift baskets. Please contact Catherine Nimmons, Velma Mills or Elease Askew for more information.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8^th 2016 and in North Carolina, early voting has already begun.  If you need a ride to the polls, the Urban League of the Central Carolinas will be driving people to the polls. Please call 888-482-7353 or sign up at Moreover, if you are Catholic, you have a duty to vote in accordance with your Catholic beliefs; we are first children of God and then citizens of our country.  As a Catholic it is part of your baptismal commitment to bear witness to Christ in all aspects of your life. This includes political thought and action.  Click here toYou can download Mecklenburg County’s Early Voting Schedule on an Absentee Ballot application from the Men's Group page.
 

This month, we're honoring the men and women from Africa who have pioneered the faith! Many forget that Christianity didn't start in Europe. Black Catholics have had a huge impact on the history and traditions of Christianity. The church has been celebrating Black Catholic History Month since 1990 when the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States instigated it. November seemed appropriate because it holds special days for two prominent African Catholics: St. Augustine whose birthday is on November 13th, and St. Martin de Porres whose feast day is celebrated on November 3rd.  OLC BCHM activities are as follows:

Faith Formation invites you to join them for a special Black Catholic History Month presentation in the Church on November 6th from 9:00 - 10:45 a.m.

The Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir Concert is Sunday, November 13th at 3:00 pm in the Church.  A free will offering will be taken to support future choir concerts.  All are invited and welcomed.

Family Life Bake Sale will take place after Masses on November 19th and 20th.

Harambee Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, November 20th at the 11:00 Mass.  OLC welcomes Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago.  A light reception will follow Mass in the PLC.

St. Martin de PorresThank you to all who helped make this years Thanksgiving box project a success! The food pantry was able to help 100 households with a turkey for Thanksgiving. This time of year, as we all pause to give thanks, we would like to thank you, our volunteers and donors for your continued stewardship through donations of time treasure and talent. With your help, we are showing mercy one household at a time!

The second collection at Masses the weekend of November 19th and 20th will be for the Campaign for Human Development. You have a chance to help give a hand up rather than a handout by helping to support the CCHD. This organization works to be a voice of hope for those on the margins of society who experience the realities of living in poverty. CCHD supports programs to heal the wounds of crime and violence, advocate for more just policies, protect God's creation and develop strong communities. Please visit www.povertyusa.org for more details of CCHD's efforts to spread Christ's love by helping to break the cycle of poverty in our community and across the country.

The Men’s Group annual BBQ and Chicken Sale will be held Saturday, October 29^th from 11:00am – 7:00pm.  The dinner costs $10 and you can eat in or take out.  Dinner choices include BBQ dinner, BBQ sandwich, pound of BBQ, and a Chicken plate.  A family pack is also available for only $25.00.  Proceeds support the Men’s Shelter feed the Hungry program.  Donations are welcomed.

OLC will be hosting a Halloween Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 2 pm – 4 pm in the PLC parking lot.  Children of all ages are invited to dress in costume and visit the decorated car trunks.  This event is free and designed to provide a safe fun environment for trick or treating.  All are welcome.  Trunks are also needed for the event.  If you would like to participate and decorate your car trunk for the event, please contact Sarah at the parish office for a parking space.