Photo Gallery

On February 2, 2012, Thursday of Catholic Schools Week, Cardinal Gibbons High School (CGHS) together with the Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, broke ground on a $15.5 million “Building the Vision” expansion and renovation project that will equip the school with additional classrooms, athletics and arts facilities and a new entrance, as well as the latest in technology to help educate new generations of students.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge marked Catholic Schools Week with pastoral visits to schools in various parts of the Diocese. Tuesday morning, January 31, found the Bishop at The Franciscan School (TFS) of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Raleigh. He celebrated Mass for the teachers and students of TFS, which was recognized this year by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Several thousand Catholics from North Carolina braved cold, drizzle Monday, January 23, to take part in the National Right to Life March in Washington, D.C. The annual event marks the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial Roe v. Wade Decision, which allows abortion on demand.

The NC Right to Life Rally and March was held in Raleigh, Saturday, January 14, 2012. Bishop Michael Burbidge gave the invocation.

Thousands of people in the Diocese of Raleigh took part in Masses and special events to mark the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. December 12 is the actual Feast Day, but a number of parishes held their celebration on Sunday, December 11.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presented Papal Honors to 20 men and women in the Diocese of Raleigh during Solemn Vespers at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cary, Tuesday, December 6. The Honors were bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI. Four of the honorees were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, the highest award of the Roman Catholic Church given to the Laity. Sixteen or the honorees were presented with the Benemerenti Medal in recognition of their dedicated service to the Church.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2011, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge joined with volunteers on one of CPO’s busiest days. Serving as a runner, Bishop Burbidge loaded groceries into clients’ cars and offered prayer and thanksgiving.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass on the Feast of All Souls Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove. The outdoor Mass was conducted at an altar near the burial site of Bishop Vincent S. Waters, third Bishop of Raleigh. Sixteen diocesan priests are also buried in the parish cemetery. The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. David D. Brockman, Vicar General of the Diocese, and 20 priests serving in the Diocese.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh held its annual banquet October 27, 2011, at which time the 2011 John J. Carey Award and eight local Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Awards were presented. The event took place at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary.

On October 16, 2011, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, celebrated the annual African Heritage Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh for approximately 700 faithful.

Approximately 700 Catholic school educators from the Diocese of Raleigh’s 30-plus schools and early childhood centers took part in Professional Development Day, sponsored by the Catholic Schools Office on October 14, 2011.

The Annual Red Mass for those who serve in law professions was celebrated Friday, October 7 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM, Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey was Principal Celebrant and Homilist, at the invitation of the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, who was Principal Concelebrant at the Mass. Msgr. David D. Brockman, Vicar General of the Diocese; Very Reverend Daniel Oschwald, Cathedral Rector; Father Salvatore Busichio, Vice Rector; and Msgr. Tim O’Connor, Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Church concelebrated.

Bishop Burbidge Participates in 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil

2011 Mass for the Filipino Community

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge commemorated Catechetical Sunday with the celebration of Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Rocky Mount. The occasion reminds each Catholic of their responsibility to pass on the faith and to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the opening Mass of the school year for students, faculty and staff of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh on Thursday, September 1. Thirteen priests concelebrated the Mass.

On Sunday, August 28, 2011, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge dedicated a new church for the parish now called St. Mary of the Angels in Mt. Olive, NC.

World Youth Day participants from the Diocese of Raleigh departed Friday, August 12, on the first leg of their 10-day pilgrimage that will take them to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in France and then on to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The Diocesan group is made up the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge and 64 young adults and chaperones.

On June 22, 2011, the Most Reverend Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for those attending the Faithful Servant Catholic Leadership Institute: A Christ Centered Leadership Experience. The five-day retreat, held this year at Short Journey Retreat Center in Smithfield, NC, is an annual event for high school youth organized in collaboration with the Diocese of Charlotte.

On Sunday, June 19, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 18 members of Holy Trinity Parish, Williamston; St. Joan of Arc Parish, Plymouth; and the Catholic Community of Bertie County. The Confirmations took place during a special bilingual Mass of Thanksgiving marking the 50th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Parish and the 60th anniversary of the Catholic presence in Martin County.

The Catholic Community of St. Julia in Siler City, NC, celebrated its 50th anniversary June 5, 2011. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, celebrated a 5 p.m. bilingual Mass Sunday. Reverend James Fukes, O.F.M. Conv., Pastor of St. Julia, and Very Reverend Justin Biase, O.F.M. Conv., Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, concelebrated, with Fr. Biase preaching the homily in Spanish and English.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge bestowed the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Father Brendan Joseph Buckler at an Ordination Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh, June 4, 2011. The Ordination took place before a large gathering of family, friends and faithful.

On May 21, 2011, Don Edward Maloney was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh. The 10:00 a.m. Mass was celebrated at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Raleigh.

More than 90 couples from throughout the Diocese, celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2011, joined the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge Sunday, May 15 for the fifth annual Wedding Anniversary Mass. The Mass, celebrated at St. Peter Church in Greenville, honors couples who have been married, 25, 50 and 50-plus years. The total number of married years of those in attendance exceeded 3,800.

Msgr. Gerald L. Lewis, Administrator of St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern, celebrated his 50th year of Priesthood with a Mass Wednesday, May 11, at the Church. Msgr. Lewis was joined by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, priests of the Diocese, family and friends.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, marked the beatification of Blessed Pope John Paul II with the celebration of Sunday Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Southern Pines on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011.

An estimated 2,000 people Good Friday participated in the Way of the Cross at St. Raphael the Archangel Church in Raleigh. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presided at the service which featured a dramatization of the Passion by the Hispanic community of the parish. The Hispanic custom is also known as “The Living Way of the Cross.”

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Holy Thursday. The Mass began the Easter Triduum, marking the end of the season of Lent and the start of a three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in which the faithful are called to reflect upon the ultimate gift of love God has given to each of us.

campus ministries received the Sacrament of Confirmation Monday evening, April 11, 2011, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. The sacrament was conferred by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge in a ceremony attended by the confirmandi, their sponsors, family members and friends.

On Sunday, March 28, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass and conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to 68 adults at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Apex.

On Sunday, March 6, the oldest Catholic parish in North Carolina broke ground for construction of a new church building, which will accommodate 1,100 people in the worship space. The new structure, with a total cost of $8.6 million, is scheduled for dedication in 18 months.

The annual Diocesan Deacon Convocation was held Saturday, February 26 with approximately 100 Deacons and wives attending. The gathering, which was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh, began with prayer. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge spoke to the gathering about the importance of their ordained ministry and their service to the people they serve and to the Diocese.

Sunday, February 6 was a joyous day for parishioners at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Fuquay-Varina as the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge was present to dedicate the recently expanded Church building.

St. Mary Catholic Church in Goldsboro celebrated the 25th anniversary of the dedication of its church building, Sunday, January 30. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge was Celebrant and Homilist. Father Thomas Norris, O.S.F.S, Pastor of St. Mary and Fr. Kevin Corcoran, O.S.F.S., concelebrated.

Catholics from the Diocese of Raleigh and the Diocese of Charlotte traveled to the nation’s capital for the annual North Carolina Mass, which was celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 11:30 AM. Bishop Burbidge was the Principal Celebrant. Bishop Peter J. Jugis of Charlotte was Principal Concelebrant and homilist. Following the Mass, North Carolina Catholics joined the Bishops in the Annual March for Life down Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The week of January 18-25 marks the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, providing Christians the opportunity to continue their quest for unity that they already share in Jesus. To mark the observance, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the annual Mass for Christian Unity, Sunday, January 16 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Fayetteville.

Approximately 500 students and youth ministry leaders gathered Saturday, January 15 for the first annual Diocesan Pro-Life Youth Rally. The morning event, titled “Love My Life,” was held at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. It took place shortly after the Diocesan Mass for Life, celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Hundreds of Hispanic faithful from St. Bernadette Church in Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding area joined in prayer, singing and a procession on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass on the Feast of All Souls Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove, as he has each year since his installation as the fifth Bishop of Raleigh. The liturgy was conducted at an altar constructed in 1994 near the burial site of Bishop Vincent S. Waters, third Bishop of Raleigh.

Triangle area Catholic schools held their 2nd Annual Catholic Cross Country Championship on October 13 at Bond Park in Cary. The championship race was 1.8 miles on trails throughout Bond Park, with the runners competing both as individuals and as teams. The middle school participants were from St. Mary Magdalene, Apex; St. Michael, Cary; The Franciscan School, Raleigh; Our Lady of Lourdes, Raleigh; and Cathedral School in Raleigh.

The diversity of the Diocese of Raleigh and the diversity within Hispanic culture were on display at the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration Saturday, October 9, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Greenville. More than 600 people from throughout the Diocese attended the celebration, which took the theme “That All Have Life in Him.” The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, celebrated the Mass in Spanish, and Reverend Carlos N. Arce, Diocesan Vicar for Hispanics, was the homilist.

On Saturday, October 2, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge joined the Franciscan Friars of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Raleigh for the annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony.

The sanctity of human life was the focus for the 2010 Diocese of Raleigh Respect Life Seminar on Saturday, August 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh.

On Sunday, July 25th, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge dedicated the newly expanded St. Brendan the Navigator Church in Shallotte, NC. The church now seats 1200 worshippers, replacing the former space which accommodated 500, and making St. Brendan one of the largest churches in the Diocese.

On Saturday, June 26, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge ordained 15 men to the Diaconate at a Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Pinehurst. The men completed a five year program of formation and have been assigned to ministry at 14 parishes in the Diocese.

Approximately 400 Hispanic teenagers and young adults gathered Saturday, June 12, to work on a Diocesan pastoral plan for Hispanic young people. The document will be based upon the 2006 National Encuentro that developed the United States Hispanic Pastoral for Young Adults.

On Friday, May 28th, the 265 members of Cardinal Gibbons High School’s Class of 2010, the 101st class to graduate from the Catholic high school, attended a baccalaureate liturgy celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd, Sts. Mary and Edward Parish in Roxboro, NC, celebrated its 75th anniversary. The anniversary Mass was offered at Stories Creek Elementary School in Roxboro in order to accommodate the some 300 people in attendance. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, was the principal celebrant and homilist; concelebrating were Reverend William Rodriguez, Pastor of the parish; Reverend Pius Wekesa, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Roanoke Rapids; Reverend Robert Staley, Parochial Vicar of St. Bernadette Parish in Fuquay-Varina; and Reverend Joseph Vetter, Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry.

May 14-16th marked the 40th Annual Catholic Youth Convention in the Diocese of Raleigh. The weekend-long convention was held at the Greenville, N.C. Convention Center. Approximately 600 high school students, staff and chaperones were in attendance.

On April 30th, Cardinal Gibbons High School welcomed students, faculty, parents and administrators from the new John Paul II High School, which will open in the fall in Greenville, NC.

Nineteen missionaries from the Diocese of Raleigh took part in the tenth annual young adult mission trip. The theme for this year's trip to San Juan Pueblo, Honduras, was “Go out into the deep” (Luke 5:4).

Approximately 800 Diocesan faithful gathered on Good Friday on the campus of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh to pray and sing the Way of the Cross. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, led the liturgy while those in attendance, holding candles, processed from station to station. Among the participants was the Most Reverend F. Joseph Gossman, Bishop Emeritus of Raleigh.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge began the Easter Triduum with the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh.

On March 19 and 20, the 8th annual Ignited by Truth Conference was held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. This year’s conference attracted some 1,500 participants.

More than 500 altar servers, family members and friends attended a Mass of Appreciation for Altar Servers celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Sunday, March 7 at St. Gabriel Church in Greenville.

The Rite of Christian Initiation was celebrated in the Diocese of Raleigh, Sunday, February 21, with liturgical services held in the eight deaneries. This year, more than 350 Elect (formerly Catechumens) will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil in their parishes.

A group of 11 medical professional left Greenville this afternoon en route to a Saint Damien of Molokai Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The group put together by Dr. Greg Murphy, a urologist and general surgeon in Pitt County, includes two general practitioners; two orthopedic specialists, two Ear, Nose and Throat specialists, an anesthesiologist, two nurses and a staff support person. In addition to Dr. Murphy, five members of the team are parishioners at St. Peter Church in Greenville, which is administered by the Passionist Religious Order.

More than 1,000 Catholics from the Diocese of Raleigh traveled to Washington, D.C. January 22 to take part in the North Carolina Mass for Life and the National March for Life. The annual events are held on the anniversary of the controversial 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion. An estimated 200,000 people from across the country took part in the March which began on Constitution Avenue, then proceeded past the Capitol and on to the Supreme Court building.

January 22 will mark the 37th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States. Each year since that day, pro-life supporters have marked the controversial decision with prayer and peaceful rallies. On Saturday, January 16, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated that annual Diocese of Raleigh Mass for Life at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh.

On December 12, approximately 60 churches in the Diocese of Raleigh celebrated Masses and held special events marking the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass at San Juan Diego Mission Church in Robbins. The Bishop blessed a new image of Our Lady of Guadalupe prior to Mass. Three couples had their marriages blessed by Father Bill John Acosta-Escobar, Administrator of the parish, who also baptized five children during the ceremony.

On November 22, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge dedicated the John Paul II Family Learning Center at St. Bernadette Church in Fuquay-Varina. Hundreds of parishioners braved chill winds for the dedication ceremony, at which Fuquay-Varina Mayor and St. Bernadette parishioner John Byrne and Father Mark J. Betti, Pastor of St. Bernadette, thanked all those involved for their efforts in funding and constructing the new building.

Bishop Burbidge celebrated Mass on the Feast of All Souls Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove. The liturgy was conducted at an altar constructed in 1994 near the burial site of Bishop Vincent S. Waters, third Bishop of Raleigh. Thirteen diocesan priests are also buried in the parish cemetery. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus F. Joseph Gossman and twenty priests serving in the Diocese.

Disciples on the Journey youth retreat was held October 9-10, 2009, at Short Journey Center in Smithfield.

His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York, celebrated the Red Mass on October 9th at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. The Mass recognized government officials and all who work in the legal profession. Among those concelebrating with Cardinal Egan were the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, the Most Reverend F. Joseph Gossman, Bishop Emeritus of Raleigh, Reverend Msgr. David D. Brockman, Vicar General of the Diocese, and Rev. Daniel D. Oschwald, Rector of the Cathedral.

Bishop Burbidge celebrated the 2009 Respect Life Mass at Saint Ann Church in Fayetteville.

On Sunday, September 20, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Raeford, NC, celebrated its 50th anniversary. An overflow crowd was in attendance for a bilingual Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge. Concelebrating were Msgr. James P. Keaney, founding Pastor of St. Elizabeth, Msgr. Jeffrey R. Ingham, Dean of the Fayetteville Deanery, and Fr. Bill John Acosta, Sacramental Minister to the parish.

The opening Mass for the new school year at Cardinal Gibbons High School was celebrated by Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge on Thursday, September 3. Seventeen priests were in attendance. This year’s enrollment at the Diocesan Catholic high school is approximately 1200 students.

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, August 4, the third anniversary of his installation as Bishop of Raleigh. The day is the Feast Day of Saint John Vianney, patron of priests, who died on August 4, 150 years ago.

Institution of Acolytes : Permanent Diaconate Candidates Saint Mary Church, Goldsboro June 13, 2009 - Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua

On May 31, Pentecost Sunday, hundreds of faithful gathered at the Sampson County Agri-Exhibition Center in Clinton to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Immaculate Conception Parish. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, celebrated the bilingual Mass and Father Fernando Torres, Pastor of Immaculate Conception, gave the homily in English and Spanish.

On Sunday, May 24, the Most Reverend Cyprien Mbuka, Bishop of the Diocese of Boma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrated two Masses, one in English and one in French, at Saint Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Garner.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the Diocese of Raleigh’s Third Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass, Sunday, May 17, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh at 3:00 p.m.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for the Second Sunday of Easter at Saint Mary Church in Laurinburg. The liturgy included the Anointing and Incensation of the new Altar.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the annual Chrism Mass, Tuesday, April 7 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Apex. The Chrism Mass is celebrated during Holy Week and incorporates the Rite of the Blessing of the Holy Oils and Consecration of the Sacred Chrism. The oils and chrism are used by parishes throughout the year for Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and by the Bishop for the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

An estimated 2,500 people took part in the Seventh Annual Ignited by Truth Catholic Conference held February 13-14 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The size of the crowd equaled the previous three conferences combined and was the largest conference of its kind held in the Diocese of Raleigh.

A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated Saturday, February 7, in recognition of the Jubilee Anniversaries of five women Religious serving in the Diocese of Raleigh. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge was the celebrant with Bishop Emeritus F. Joseph Gossman concelebrating.

Students from Cardinal Gibbons High School hosted sixth through eighth grades students from Cathedral School today as both educational centers began celebration of their 100th anniversary. Both have events scheduled throughout the year. The day began with the celebration of Mass with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge presiding and Bishop Emeritus F. Joseph Gossman concelebrating. The occasion also marked the start of Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese and the nation. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.

Faithful from the Diocese of Raleigh and the Diocese of Charlotte filled the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, for a Mass for Life preceding the National March for Life.

Part Two of the Bishop’s Lecture Series took place, Friday, January 9 with Dr. Robert Hambourger speaking on the topic of the sanctity of human life.

Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden celebrated his Fiftieth Anniversary of Priesthood with a Jubilee Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Saturday, December 20. Msgr. Hadden was ordained in Rome in 1958 as a Priest of the Diocese of Raleigh upon his graduation from the North American College in Rome. Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden celebrated his Fiftieth Anniversary of Priesthood with a Jubilee Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Saturday, December 20. Msgr. Hadden was ordained in Rome in 1958 as a Priest of the Diocese of Raleigh upon his graduation from the North American College in Rome.

On Friday evening, Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the Feast Day Mass at St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill.

The Diocese of Raleigh marked the celebration of Black Catholic Month on November 15 with Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge. The celebration, sponsored by the Office of African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization (AAMEN), recognizes the achievements, traditions and customs of Black Catholics born in the United States and the growing number of newcomers from countries throughout Africa.

More than 350 students participated in “Back to Earth,” the Diocesan wide camp-out for youth in grades ninth through twelfth. The weekend event was held at Short Journey Center in Smithfield.

More than 800 Catholic educators gathered September 19 for the annual Diocesan Education Conference. The one-day event was held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Raleigh. The day began with the celebration of Mass, with Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presiding.

The Most Reverend Bishop Michael Burbidge was the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass for all Home School Families in the Diocese at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh on September 13, 2008.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Holy Mass Saturday, August 30, for the parish community of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh. During the Mass, Bishop Burbidge blessed the newly constructed apse, an addition to the church building that contains the Reserved Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Following Mass, the Bishop blessed the new church hall.

On August 3-8, 2008, twenty-six parish catechists and Catholic school teachers across the Diocese of Raleigh participated in the "Into the Fields" formation program. Seventeen participants received certificates of completion in their third year of the week long format held at Christian Family Living Center, Topsail Beach. The program consists of three components: lessons from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, spiritual and personal growth, and teaching methods- all of which assist catechists and teachers to be confident and competent in their catechetical ministry. "Into the Fields" was funded by the Mary Dowling Endowment for Catechist Formation.

North Carolina’s two Catholic Bishops have created a statewide organization to give Catholics a stronger voice in matters of public policy. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh and Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte established Catholic Voice NC and the website WWW.CatholicVoiceNC.org to provide nonpartisan information on legislative matters that intersect with Catholic teaching, values, and morality and to give Catholics a way to voice their opinions directly to state legislators.

The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh hosted the 2008 North Carolina Black Catholic Conference June 27-29 at the Sheraton Capital Center in Raleigh. Themed “Celebrating & Proclaiming Our Catholic Faith,” the conference drew more than 200 registrants, with some 350 people attending the closing Mass.

Wedding Anniversary Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, Raleigh

More than 1,300 faithful of the Diocese of Raleigh joined with the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge in a Diocesan Pilgrimage, Saturday, April 12, 2008 to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (Photos by Eddie Arrossi Photography.)

The 40 Days for Life Campaign began at midnight, Ash Wednesday in 59 cities across the country with Raleigh one of the targeted communities. The ecumenical campaign is an effort to raise awareness, save lives, bring healing and lead our nation to repentance for the sin of abortion.

Tens of thousands of pro-life advocates braved dark clouds and cold temperatures Tuesday, January 22 in the 35th Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Marchers from almost every state participated in the afternoon event, including hundreds from the Diocese of Raleigh and the Diocese of Charlotte.

The 2nd Annual Men in Black basketball game was played Saturday, January 5th, at the Emily Krzyzewski Center in Durham.

On December 12, more than 30 churches throughout the Diocese celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico. At St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Wake Forest, the Hispanic community filled the church at 4:30 am for mananitas, morning prayer and song to Our Lady, followed by Mass and a meal.

Sunday, December 2 was special for parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Durham: It marked the dedication of a new church building, replacing the historic facility which has served the close-knit community since 1952. Parishioners were joined in celebration and prayers of gratitude by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh; Msgr Thomas P. Hadden, Vicar for African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization, priests of the Diocese and members of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), who have pastored the predominately African American church since it was established in 1939.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge blessed a special section of ground designated for Catholic burials in Wake Memorial Park in Cary. The blessing dedicates the ground as a sacred place that serves as a sign of hope for the resurrection.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated All Souls Day Mass for Deceased Clergy of the Diocese. The liturgy was celebrated in the parish cemetary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove.

The Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass was held Saturday, October 13, 2007, with an estimated 750 people in attendance. This year’s celebration was hosted by Saint Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington, with The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presiding.

Participants in the nine-day Bike for Life Pilgrimage from Raleigh to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, were blessed by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at a Mass celebrated at St. Raphael Church in Raleigh on Aug. 4.

Approximately 2,700 people attended the Tenth National Black Catholic Congress, held in Buffalo, New York, July 12-15. The Diocese of Raleigh was well represented with 90 participants, the second largest contingent of the 96 dioceses that were present.

The ordination of Anthony DeCandia and Marco Antonio Gonzalez-Hernandez was celebrated by Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge at Saint Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill on Saturday, June 9, 2007.

Approximately 300 married couples took part in two special Milestone Anniversary Masses celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge on May 6 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh.

Approximately 500 Hispanic teenagers and young adults, representing 24 parishes of the Diocese of Raleigh, attended the 2007 Encuentro, held at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh. The theme was Ven y Sigueme (Come and Follow Me).

The annual spring retreat for Handicapped Encounter Christ (HEC) was held March 30-April 1 at Short Journey Retreat Center in Smithfield, with approximately 100 men and women taking part. HEC is a Christian organization open to people of all faiths. Developed in New York in 1974, it was brought to North Carolina in 1983 by a small group of Catholics who realized that traditional retreats were not reaching everyone. HEC retreats are designed to spiritually enrich all participants while also meeting the needs of adults with physical disabilities.

Several hundred Catholic faithful from the Diocese of Raleigh traveled by bus in the chilly, early morning hours of Monday, January 22, to participate in the Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

The Diocese of Raleigh paid tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a Mass celebrated in his honor Saturday, January 13 at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Goldsboro. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge presided. Msgr. Thomas Hadden, vicar for African American Ministry and Evangelization, was the homilist.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the Commemoration of All Souls Day with Mass at the cemetery on the parish grounds of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton Grove. The bishop was joined by 21 priests.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, Bishop Burbidge ordained Anthony Vincent DiCandia and Marco Antonio Gonzalez-Hernandez to the transitional diaconate in a bilingual liturgy at St. Michael the Archangel in Cary.

Topics at Topsail, July 2006