Bishop Bruce announced Friday, February 18, 2022, that Fr. Charles Everson, Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, has accepted the appointed position to work alongside the Commission on Ministry and those in the process of ordination. She said, “Fr. Charles’ primary responsibilities will be to ensure all of our people in process through the Commission on Ministry receive timely and accurate information on what is required of them. He will also help coordinate and organize ordinations.” She added, “Fr. Charles’ charisms of pastoral care, organization, and excellent communication skills make him a unique clergy person for this work. I am grateful that he has agreed to take on this important role,”
Fr. Charles will remain as St. Mary’s Rector while also working as the Vocations Missioner.
Fr. Charles expressed his excitement about being appointed to this role, saying, “As a parish priest, I have the privilege of walking with parishioners who feel called to ordained and licensed lay ministry in the Church. I’m looking forward to working with those from around the diocese who believe they are so-called and plan to hit the ground running by meeting individually with everyone currently in the ordination process.” He continued, “Please join me in praying for the future clergy and lay leaders of the diocese.”
Fr. Charles has served at St. Mary’s since August 2017, first as assistant to the rector, and then later as rector. He began serving in ministry in college as a music minister, and after graduating served for two years as a missionary to college students in Paris, France. His passions lie in contemplative Benedictine spirituality, music and liturgy, and personal evangelism. Fr. Charles serves on the board of directors of St. Luke’s Bishop Spencer Place and serves as Provincial Convener of the Society of Catholic Priests of North America. He is an oblate of Conception Abbey.
Fr. Charles is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and earned his Masters of Business Administration at Baker University. He graduated from the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in Topeka, Kansas, with a Certificate in Presbyteral Studies. Fr. Charles and his husband Jay live in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City.