History of the Mission

Through the invitation of His Excellency, Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte, MOP MONROE becomes the first international mission established by the Missionaries of the Poor in the United States of America. Together with four Brothers assigned to set up the mission, the Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ho Lung, M.O.P., Founder and Superior General of the Institute traveled on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2, 2008 to officially establish the Institute’s footing in Monroe North Carolina (see photo on right).

 

Rev. Fr. James Cassidy, O.S.A., the then Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe provided the rectory for the first two weeks of our infancy narrative. During this period we launched our new apostolic endeavor in cleaning and repairing an old house within the Church premises that had been abandoned for nearly two years. Finally, a decent dwelling came into existence which served as our temporary shelter while we continue to look for an “inn” that will cater to the needs of our Institute as being contemplatives in action.

 

Six months later, the time the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary her becoming mother of the Most High, we found our Bethlehem. Located in a densely populated Spanish Speaking Community in the City of Monroe, we now live on a 2.5 acre property at 1403 Griffith Road since the 1st of May 2009. There are presently four Professed Brothers overseeing this mission who are generously aided by the local volunteers, friends and associates of the Institute.

 

Our Guardian Angels Monastery came as a special gift from the treasury of God’s manifold graces through the love and devotion of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Tonon to our community. Peter and Lucie, as we fondly call them, accepted the leap of faith in reaching out to their friends and knocked at the door of their hearts to help us acquire our beautiful piece of land dedicated to the Guardian Angels. On the Feast of St. John Marie Vianney, August 4, 2009, Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis formally blessed our Guardian Angels Monastery within the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with our Father Founder concelebrating.

Our Plans

Our missionary apostolate offers primarily the corporal works of mercy. Our most important work is to conduct centers for the homeless and the abandoned. These centers will be in the slums or among the poorest of people and will serve the communities in these neighborhoods as well. We will also offer the spiritual works of mercy by building Christian Communities among the poor. These spiritual works of mercy will be held normally at our centers.  Now that we have a suitable home for the Brothers, our main priority at this time is to acquire a property and build a center where the poor can come and learn to live out the values of sharing, of mutual help, and of serving so that Christ may be found among themselves. In this center we will be working as Religious Brothers providing for spiritual and material needs of a significant portion of the local population which is predominantly ethnic (Hispanic and Afro) in character.

Our Aim

Our aim is to minister specifically to the least of our brothers and sisters. We will open and operate a night shelter where the homeless can come for a warm home, a caring and loving atmosphere, fraternal fellowship and needless to say, moral and spiritual guidance. A common refectory will also be provided for soup kitchen, new and used clothes distribution service, food line and medical check-ups. Worship, catechesis, fellowship and community activities will also be provided that will surely shed spiritual lights to the community. A property has been identified in downtown Monroe which will serve to the above mentioned activities and plans for the future. This center will comprise a single story building divided into two sections: Mary’s section to attend to the spiritual needs of the poor and Martha’s section to address the struggle of day to day living. A basement will also be provided to serve as storage.

Our Ministry

Our mission though still in its formative years conducts food pantry, house visitation and Communion Service to four different hospices and nursing homes in Union County. In addition, we provide a decent meal every 4th Sunday of the Month at Union County Community Shelter in Monroe through the kindness of friends. Please see some of the photos we have taken.

Photos from Monroe, NC