On Friday, August 7, friends, clergy, and members of the Catholic community gathered at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Raleigh for a memorable evening with Msgr. John A. Wall. Hosted by the Office of Development and The Foundation, the special gathering offered Msgr. Wall an opportunity to reflect on his life, his priestly ministry, and the history of the Diocese of Raleigh.
The evening was filled with laughter, treasured memories, and stories that offered a glimpse into the remarkable journey of a priest who has witnessed and helped shape, the growth of the Catholic Church in North Carolina. Joining Msgr. Wall were longtime friends and colleagues, including Bishop Luis Zarama, Fr. Michael Burbeck, Fr. Joseph Ita-Sam, and Fr. Drew Navarro.
A Life Shaped by Faith and Service
As Msgr. Wall reflected on his childhood, seminary years, and priesthood, he shared how dramatically the Catholic community in North Carolina has grown. During his grade school years, Catholics represented only about 2% of North Carolina's population. Today, Catholics make up more than 10% of the state's population, a remarkable testament to the growth of the Church and the generations of faithful who have helped build its presence throughout the state.
Msgr. Wall also recalled his years studying at the seminary in Baltimore and a pivotal moment when he received word from Bishop Waters that he would be assigned to Rome. He described his time in Rome as one of the highlights of his life, embracing every opportunity to learn, experience the Church, and deepen his faith.
One particularly memorable story involved an encounter with then Cardinal-Patriarch Angelo Roncalli. Msgr. Wall had the opportunity to meet and speak with him, never knowing that the very next day Roncalli would be elected Pope John XXIII.
During their meeting, Msgr. Wall recalled hearing the affectionate Italian expression:
“Vieni qui, caro mio.”
“Come here, dear one.”
It was one of many personal moments that brought the history of the universal Church to life during the evening.
Preserving a Legacy for Generations to Come
Beyond celebrating Msgr. Wall and his extraordinary life of service, the gathering served an important purpose for the Diocese of Raleigh. The Office of Development and The Foundation hosted the evening so Msgr. Wall's stories, reflections, and memories could be preserved for future generations.
The event was professionally recorded through video and still photography, creating an archival collection that will help preserve an important chapter of the Diocese of Raleigh's history.
The evening was a beautiful reminder that the history of the Church is not simply found in dates and documents; it lives in the stories, faith, friendships, and memories of the people who have dedicated their lives to building the Church.
Through the generosity and service of faithful Catholics like Msgr. Wall, the story of the Diocese of Raleigh continues to be written and now, thanks to this special evening, a piece of that story will be preserved for generations to come.
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