Bishop Jugis steered the Charlotte diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic

Palm Sunday Mass during what was a "virtual" Holy Week in 2020. The Mass was celebrated in a near-empty St. Patrick Cathedral and livestreamed to the faithful of the diocese.

CHARLOTTE — When the COVID-19 pandemic prompted churches to close in March 2020, Bishop Peter Jugis brought Jesus to the people. With livestreamed Masses, drive-thru confessions, and Eucharistic Adoration from church windows, the Diocese of Charlotte continued to minister to people in numerous ways. Clergy and lay leaders found ways to harness technology to minister first to people at home virtually, then, as churches and schools gradually reopened later in 2020 and into 2021, resuming safe in-person worship, education and charitable work.

The global pandemic hit North Carolina just as Holy Week and Easter approached. With all churches shuttered for the first time in the history of the diocese, Bishop Jugis celebrated Masses from a near-empty St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte that were streamed live on the diocese's YouTube channel to thousands of faithful.

In his homilies during those early fearful days of the pandemic, Bishop Jugis encouraged people to follow the example of Mary at the foot of the cross – “to stay close to Jesus these days, when we hear so much fearful news about the spread of the virus and sad news about deaths cause by the virus.”

“Let us remember: though we may be quarantined, Jesus is not quarantined. He desires to be with us always and everywhere, and we can stay close to Him,” he said.

Bishop Jugis helped the parishes navigate the changing environment and help people return to church and school. Read about that transitional time:

‘Though we may be quarantined, Jesus is not quarantined’ - A digital Holy Week

Priests, parishes explore new ways to minister during Covid-19 pandemic

Ask Jesus to stay with us during this pandemic, Bishop Jugis preaches

Pandemic impacts RCIA program, yet people still coming into the Church at Easter Vigil

During pandemic, parishes find new ways to help people who are homeless

Enrollment up at diocesan schools as families seek in-person instruction during pandemic

He has a great love for North Carolina, especially Charlotte, and it comes out in the way he interacts with people. He put down a very deep roots here, and he is more than happy to continue to build on those roots and to just give everything to make sure that this place is home to others who come behind him.
— Father Matthew Buettner, House Spiritual Director, St. Joseph College Seminary Bishop Jugis' 20th anniversary special section