Our journey first began on Sunday, June 2, 2019, when we celebrated our first Catholic Mass at the Cane Bay YMCA. We continue to celebrate Mass there each Sunday at 10:00 AM. Although it is a gymnasium, several volunteers gather before Mass to create a holy environment. It may not look like a church, but as the priest, deacons, and people gather to pray and sing, we remember that “church” is the people not just the building. Throughout the Mass, we are truly blessed to be led by our terrific choir and our music ministry leader. Our songs include both traditional and contemporary Catholic music which inspires and nourishes our souls.
As our Cane Bay area continues to grow, so is our Catholic Mission. We have been officially decreed as St. Francis Caracciolo Catholic Mission by bishop, Most Rev. Robert E. Guglielmone. Our patron saint, St. Francis Caracciolo was born in Villa Santa Maria in Italy in 1563. He was co-founder of the Adorno Fathers. This religious Order dedicates their lives to serving the poor and has a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist. They profess the vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience, and Not Seeking Ecclesiastical Dignities. They follow the example of Jesus Christ who Himself was poor, chaste, obedient, and humble. Adorno Fathers are the priests who are helping us build our church under the guidance of Father Noly and Father Binil from Immaculate Conception Church in Goose Creek. After St. Francis Caracciolo’s death on June 4 th, 1608, around his heart was printed the words of Psalm 69, “The zeal of your house consumes me.” This miracle seems to be a meaningful message for our community as we strive to build a Catholic church here in the Cane Bay area, a house to gather, worship, pray, and praise our Lord.
As we journey to build our church, there are steps that we must take. One request from Bishop Guglielmone was to have Mass during the week so that we could increase our prayer life and grow in our Faith. We have been allowed by the Living By Faith Baptist Church to rent space in their church on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10:00 AM. We celebrate Mass followed by the rosary, other prayer gatherings, and bible study. We are truly grateful for the kindness and generosity of our Christian brothers and sisters at Living By Faith Baptist Church.
Our community continues to grow as we add programs like Faith Formation, bible studies, Women’s Groups, family gatherings, and other activities.
On June 4th, 2023, we celebrated our 4th anniversary and the feast day of St. Francis Caracciolo. Our current bishop, The Most Reverend Jacques Fabre-Jeune joined in our celebration with a beautiful Mass congratulated us on our growth, and blessed our efforts to build a church.
All are welcome to join us for our Sunday and weekday worship. If you are interested in more information about St. Francis Caracciolo Catholic Mission, please call the Immaculate Conception Church office at 843-572-1270 or email: stfcmission@charlestondiocese.org.
