Articles by Fr. Mark Lawlor:

• An Unexpected Calling leads to a Rich Spiritual Life (Lake Norman Magazine)
• Mission pilgrimage along El Camino Real inspires us to ‘keep moving’ with the Lord
• The sound of the screen porch door
• Mi Peregrinaje a Mexico  (Spanish - Fr. Mark's Pilgrimage to Mexico in 2016)

Special mentions:

• Engineer priests: From science and logic to faith and reason
• What You Didn't Know About the Quinceañera Celebration

Fr. Mark Lawlor began his assignment at St. Therese on July 11, 2017.  Prior to coming here, he was Pastor at St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte, NC. Here is an introduction on his own words:

To introduce myself to you, I was born in So. Plainfield, NJ in 1961.  Our family moved to Salisbury when I was 10 & I consider Salisbury my home town.  I have three brothers living there.  My parents and my sister have been called from this life.  After high school, I studied at N.C. State U. where I earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  After college, I worked for five years at the Charleston Naval Shipyard in Charleston, SC in the overhaul and repair of nuclear submarines.  It was during my time in Charleston that I first heard the call of the Lord.  I initially thought that I should be a brother and use my engineering background in the maintenance or renovation of a monastery or abbey.  After a time of discernment, I felt called to the priesthood.  I began formation with the Glenmary Home Missioners and participated in programs in Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio.  After 1 ½ years, I applied to the seminarian program of the Diocese of Charlotte.  I studied philosophy & theology at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana under the guidance of Benedictine monks.  I was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1995 in Charlotte.

After my ordination, I served as a parochial vicar for one year at the Parish of Holy Family in Clemmons and then for a year at St. Leo’s in Winston-Salem.  In 1997, I became the administrator of Our Lady of the Americas Mission in Biscoe, which was about 90% Hispanic.  It was in Biscoe that I really became immersed in pastoral ministry to the Latino Community.  After two years, I was appointed pastor of the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Jefferson and the Mission of St. Frances of Rome in Sparta.  After 4 years in the mountains, I moved to Charlotte where I served as the pastor of the Parish of St. Vincent de Paul for the past 14 years.

I was somewhat surprised when I received the call about my assignment to St Therese, but I joyfully accepted the assignment without hesitation.  The priesthood is about service and I am excited to serve God and the Family of Faith in this parish.  I have experienced the Grace of God in each of my parish assignments for over almost three decades.  I am very hopeful that this will continue.  I look forward to getting to know our members and learning more about the parish.  I can remember when this was a small parish.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Fr. Mark Lawlor
 

Photo courtesy of Lisa Crates, photographer and parishioner at St. Therese. (April 2022)