Chapter Ten – Part Three

Bishop J. Kendrick Williams

In 1979, Fr. Kendrick Williams (photo left) was appointed assistant pastor at Our Lady’s. On Tuesday, April 24, 1984, it was announced that Pope John Paul II appointed Fr. J. Kendrick Williams auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Covington, Kentucky. He was to be ordained bishop on Tuesday, June 19 at the Cathedral in Covington.

Bishop–elect J. Kendrick Williams celebrated Mass on Saturday, May 26, 1984, at 5pm. This was followed by a reception in Lehmann Hall. All parishioners and friends of Bishop–Elect Williams were invited. A ring was presented to him, and special envelopes were provided for parishioners who wished to contribute. The following is a note from Bishop Williams on June 3, 1984:

My heartfelt thanks to each of you for your warmth and hospitality last Saturday. It is always good to come home to Our Lady’s. The bishop’s ring is beautiful and I will wear it in gratitude with you in my heart and my prayers. May we continue to remember each other and to pray that each of us may grow in the Lord’s love.

Parish Outings

During Fr. Eckert’s time at Our Lady’s a number of outings took place. In most cases, a chartered bus left from the church. Many were Christmas shopping trips organized around the first part of December and included:

· Forest Fair Mall in Cincinnati, OH

· Florence Mall in Florence, KY

· The mall adjacent to Rupp Arena in Lexington

· Frankfort, KY and the Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion, etc.

· Annual trip to Churchill Downs

· Bernheim Forest

· Shakertown, KY

· Bardstown, KY and the Stephen Foster Story

· Cruise on the Belle of Louisville

· Strawberry picking at Huber’s Farm in Indiana

· Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL and St. Louis, MO

Parish Contests

Fr. Eckert held contests that tested knowledge of the Bible, mathematics and grammar that were published in the weekly bulletins:

· Bible quiz I

There were 19 contestants and six had perfect scores, answering all 25 questions: Charlene White, Beatrice Wetzelberger, Pat Devine, Bob Rich, Susan Rich, Lorene Stemm. The two winners were Susan Rich and Lorena Stemm, received $5 each.

· Bible quiz II

There were 97 contestants to determine the number of pieces of candy in three jars, and 17 had the correct answer. A drawing determined the winners: Charles Wetzelberger (1^st), Jim Doolan (2^nd) and Kathleen Gohmann (3^rd). The following clues were printed in the bulletin:

Clue 1: God gave specific instructions on how the Ark was to be built. Give the dimensions of the ark in feet. Length, height, width. Add the dimensions. 1 cubit = 18 inches. This is Noah’s Ark, not the Ark of the Covenant.

Clue 2: About the weight of fish.

Clue 3: The number of Commandments God gave to Moses multiplied by the number of Beatitudes plus the number of water jars.

Clue 4: The number of Psalms divided by the number of porches (porticos) on the building at Sheep Pool in Jerusalem.

Clue 5: Number of miles Emmaus is from Jerusalem multiplied by the number of Apostles who saw Jesus on Easter.

Clue 6: The number of years it took to build the Temple in Jerusalem multiplied by the number of stars in the crown of the Woman of the Apocalypse minus both the answer to Clue 3 and the number of the Psalm that begins ‘The Lord is My Shepherd.’ Now add up all the answers and your final answer will be the same as the number of pieces of candy in the three containers.

· Our Lady Church and Catholic Church trivia

Winners were Lorena Stemm (1^st), Ray Yates (2^nd) and Lilith Hillebrand (3^rd).

· Christmas Contests

In one contest, Charles Wetzelberger IV had the only correct answer, winning a jar of candy. In another contest, parishioners had to unscramble the words. 25 entries were correct, so a drawing determined the winners: Leslie Wright (1^st), Jo Ann Recktenwald (2^nd) and Dennis Thompson (3^rd).

· Christmas Art Contest

Children of Community Catholic School were eligible to participate in an art contest judged by Sr. Alice Hoffman and staff of the Portland Library. The winners were: Amy Tarter, Shawn Law and Erin Hallahan (age 3–9 years); Glenn Logsdon, Tony Logsdon and Jan Williams (age 10–17 years).

· Spelling Contest

The following appeared in the bulletin on December 5, 1982:

A PUBLIC APOLOGY

I am so embarrassed! The typewritter used to make this bulliten had a nervous brakedown! It has speled all the people’s names corectly BUT it has diliberatley misspelled many, many wurds throut this bulletin. If you find the most words and properlly spel them, you will recieve a 5 pound box of dilicious and lucious chocalate candy the nite when Santa comes for a visit hear on December 20. Please follow the derections listed: NOTE WELL! Your entry must be turned in by NOON on Wednesday, December 15.

Of 27 entries, the grand prize winner was Susette Lang with 198 words who won a 5lb. box of chocolate candy. Judges included faculty members of Trinity High School. Afterward, the following note appeared in the bulletin:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!! THERE WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be another contest like this. I did not realize it took such hard work. All the people who took part deserve a pat on the back!

Our Lady’s Youth

In July 1980 when the Parish Council was organized, Carolyn Schraffenberger became the Youth Representative on the Council.

In the mid to late 1980s, the youth group was primarily comprised of teenagers. Fund–raisers attempted to cover the expenses for the trips they took, programs they attended, and recreational facilities they visited. For several years, the parish contributed $1,500 to support Region I youth ministries.

In October of 1991, a proposal was made at the parish council meeting to start a youth group of ages 12–15, which would include St. Cecilia, St. Anthony and Our Lady. This did not materialize. In January of 1993, Lettie VonAllmen volunteered to begin and take care of the youth group. This group lasted several months and then, because of lack of interest, the group disbanded.

A final attempt was made in 1999, when key persons of the three parishes of St. Cecilia, St. Anthony and Our Lady met to plan their calendars. Discussion and planning went on for another two years. In March of 2000, Sr. Lucianne Siers, OP from Project AIMM was invited by Deacon William Klump to listen to the needs of the parish and offer assistance in getting something started for the youth.

Planning included meeting with Carol Goodwin, the Archdiocesan Director of Youth Ministry. The biggest drawbacks to the project included: lack of parental support and sports programs, difficulty recruiting volunteers, lack of transportation and the reality that youth were not interested in religious activities. Those parents who so diligently helped to try to make the youth program a success were Sharon Pittman with the help of Evie and Pete O’Connell, from St. Anthony, and Karen and Terry Fihe from Our Lady.

The following is taken from parish council meetings regarding youth activities:

11–25–80 Carolyn Schraffenberger requests a list of the youth in the parish.

09–15–81 Meeting held with 19 present. Requested a booth at the Chili supper and wish to form a choir (ages 10 through high school).

10–19–81 Youth working diligently on a haunted house for Halloween.

01–18–82 Youth swimming at the YMCA. Meetings changed from weekly to bi–weekly.

03–15–82 Youth volunteered to work in preschool.

08–16–82 Car wash on September 11 at First National Bank. Requested use of 3^rd floor of Lehmann Hall.

11–15–82 Six attended Youth Congress. Camping trip planned after Thanksgiving.

03–21–83 Sr. Kitty schedules overnight retreat after Easter for grades 6–8 at Lake St. Joseph, Crestwood, KY.

05–16–83 Sr. Kitty plans Day of Recollection at St. Thomas Center. Region I to go to King’s Island June 21. Archdiocese youth ministries sponsors night at the Redbirds. Youth to clean 2^nd floor of Lehmann Hall. Parish council approves $1,500 for Region I youth ministries.

09–19–83 Mr. Cook will come to practice with youth choir.

10–17–83 Richard Watkins reported $82 raised from a raffle held in Sept and $380 from Chili Supper. Youth Appreciation Service with a youth choir November 6.

05–21–84 Dinner at Christ the King for Regions I and II June 26. Leader Conference planned June 24–29 with Eddie and Denise Lang to attend. Trip to King’s Island planned June 20.

10–22–84 Six attend Youth Congress. Question & answer session with the Archbishop was the highlight of the weekend.

06–17–85 Fr. Eckert, Sr. Kitty and Jo Ann Recktenwald met for discussion. Mrs. Turner was hired as new coordinator for Region I.

10–28–85 Youth choir to sing carols at Christmas Eve Mass.

10–20–86 Two will attend Youth Congress hosted November 22–23 at Roadway Inn.

05–19–87 Trip planned to Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The cost is between $550 and $650.

06–19–89 Youth travel to St. Louis from 6–19 to 6–24, visiting the Arch, the Catholic Cathedral, the St. Louis Zoo and Six Flags theme park. Fr. Eckert suggests that youth work to earn at least 70% toward future activities.

10–16–89 Parish council approves motion by Fr. Reilly to discontinue contributing $1,500 to Region I.

10–19–92 Private conferences held with each child and the 10–Point Spiritual Life Program explained.

12–10–00 Skating party held at St. Anthony’s with a total of fourteen present from grades 4–7.

Dedication of Lehmann Hall

For several years after the closing of Our Lady School, the building was referred to as ‘the parish hall.’ On January 24, 1982 the following was published in the bulletin:

It has been suggested that we give our parish hall a distinctive name. The building is obviously no longer a school so it is not appropriate to call it the school building. So if you have any suggestions about a new name for the former school building, please list your suggestion(s) below and drop it in the collection basket next week.

On February 7, the following list of suggested names was published in the bulletin:

Lehmann Hall, Bishop Flaget Center, Our Lady of the Port Center, Our Lady Center, Our Lady of Notre Dame, Our Lady Hall, Church Hall and Lally Hall.

On February 21, 1982, results were published and ‘Lehmann Hall’ received 31 votes out of the forty–nine cast. In preparation for the dedication, Lehmann Hall received new drapes, made by the Ladies Club on portable sewing machines. A plaque honoring Fr. James Lehmann was made, and the Men’s Club assisted with repainting.

The dedication and pot luck supper was held Saturday April 24, 1982. Mass for Fr. Lehmann was celebrated at 5pm, followed by the dedication ceremony and potluck supper. Mrs. Niehaus, Fr. Lehmann’s sister, and her family were invited guests. The following is taken from the dedication ceremony:

Fr. James E. Lehmann, pastor of our parish from 1941 until his death in 1959, was born on February 12, 1907, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of C. Joseph and Anna Reddington Lehmann. When the family returned to Louisville, he went to St. John’s Grade School then he attended St. Xavier High School for one year and spent the next four years at the Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. In the fall of 1926 he entered the seminary at Innsbruck, Austria. He was ordained on March 13, 1932.

In August, 1941, Fr. Lehmann came to Our Lady’s where his untiring and dedicated priestly zeal, his deep charity and spirit of faith combined to influence many to call him the good shepherd. During his pastorate, the new school building was constructed. After a long illness Fr. James E. Lehmann died on March 12, 1959.

We are proud to dedicate the former school building in honor of Fr. Lehmann. Lehmann Hall should be a constant reminder to each one of us of the love and dedication Fr. Lehmann had for our parish.

On May 2, 1982, the following appeared in the bulletin:

About 150 plus attended the dedication and the dinner following. Mrs. Niehaus and her family are most appreciative of the honor bestowed upon Fr. Lehmann. Ladies, you really outdid yourselves… the food was sumptuous! We thank the ladies who worked so hard and long to get the new drapes finished. Lehmann Hall really looks beautiful. Keep up the good work!

Sunday Bingo

In 1970, Fr. Waldie and Fr. Fowler laid the groundwork for what was to become the major fund–raiser of Our Lady’s Parish. February 1 marked the beginning of weekly bingo. It underwent a series of changes, partly to comply with state government laws regarding charitable gaming and licensing. One major change was from the calling of numbers to a number board and TV monitors. Sunday afternoons was chosen as the best time, not only for members of the parish, but relatives, friends and the general public.

To bring success in this endeavor, many persons either assumed leadership or were appointed to undertake the weekly tasks: those who sold pop–corn, candy, bankers and raffle tickets, those who staffed the money room and kitchen, and the young children who worked the floor clearing tables and handing cards to the caller for verification.

Cards and covers were changed to paper and dobbers on March 5, 1995 followed by the use of the number board and TV monitors. On August 4, 1996 and on every first Sunday of the month thereafter, there was a guaranteed $1,000 coverall game.

In 1985, Fr. Eckert sent a letter to all parents with children in Community Catholic School stating that in order to keep the school operating, more parental support is needed with the parish bingo:

If the bingo stops due to a lack of workers, the parish would not be able to continue their assessment to the school. Therefore, it is necessary for all parents to work at the bingo at least once a month.

This accounts for the number of workers up through 1995. At that time, it was determined that no such stipulation could be enforced. As a result, the number of workers dropped dramatically. This took its toll on the energy level of the remaining workers. In addition, there was a decrease in the amount of money being raised. Therefore, on July 23, 2000, Fr. Reilly, Deacon Bill Klump and the bingo committee announced one more change before closing bingo permanently. The proposal eliminated four regular games, freeing $500 to be used toward payouts on other games. It also reduced the cost of the bingo packets for customers. This plan increased of the number of players and money for a few years.

In the beginning there was no committee, but Mike Recktenwald and Vernon Hattemer ensured its on–going success. In 1995, they retired and a new committee formed consisting of Leslie Harrington, Jerry Renck, Kelly Watson, Kevin Miles, Chris Cahill and Marty Downs. Cecilia Cassady and Ann Weber replaced Chris Cahill and Jerry Renck after a brief period.

Renew

A spiritual renewal program entitled RENEW, originating in Newark, New Jersey, found its way into the parishes of the Archdiocese of Louisville and other parishes around the country. Small groups of ten or twelve members of the parish would meet each week for a six–week period either at the parish or in private homes to share their faith according to prepared programs. The Renew program began in the fall of 1986. There were two sessions each year for three years. Two groups met in Lehmann Hall and other groups met in the homes of Gilbert Thompson on Bank Street and George Cousens on 43^rd Street.

The Sisters of Mercy Return

The following is taken from an account of the Sisters returning to Our Lady’s written by Sr. Prisca Pfeffer and published in ‘In Love and Mercy’:

When Our Lady school closed, the sisters withdrew from the convent. Located on top of the school, the apartment was rented out to families for several years. Meanwhile, Sr. Catherine Marie Melton, who taught at Our Lady, kept up with a number of parishioners through the years.

Many a time a wish was expressed that some of the sisters come again to live in the convent and assist with parish work. Sr. Catherine Marie approached Reverend John Eckert who was amenable to the idea. He acknowledged that something had to be done to the convent to restore the interior which was in such disrepair.

Sr. Catherine Marie secured the help of Sr. Monica Marie Knipfer, regional councilor, to ask two more Sisters to live with her at Our Lady and work in the parish, visiting the sick and elderly. Sr. Marguerite Willett and Sr. Donald Kaufman volunteered. The project was to last at least three years. The sisters would visit parish sick and shut–ins. They were to receive no salary, but their heat, light, water, and local telephone bills would be paid by the parish.

Our Lady parishioners set to work at once with great good will to make the convent clean and habitable. There were volunteers, among them Jesse Leet, Mike Recktenwald, Raymond Yates and James Doolan. Our Lady’s women parishioners lent the feminine touch with great enthusiasm. Walls were painted, floors were scrubbed two or three times, general repairs were made, air conditioning was installed in the community room, chapel, and bedrooms. Fr. Eckert estimated that $2,000 was spent on the convent. Mr. Leet was responsible for getting the large outdoor light on the east side of the building as a means of protection.

Many people donated furniture. Mrs. Pearl Murta, who was changing her residence to Providence, New Albany, gave dining room and kitchen furniture, china closet and the living room furniture. A friend of Sr. Marguerite donated some bedroom furniture. The beds, as well as much of the chapel furniture, including the Stations of the Cross, came from St. Columba convent. All together the convent took on a very comfortable, homey appearance.

Our Lady Church had Eucharistic Day October 19, 1985. The three sisters came for Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament but returned to St. Catherine Convent for a community meeting at the end of which a prayer service was held for them and their new mission. They returned to Our Lady’s for the 5pm Mass, followed by a pot luck supper in Lehmann Hall. Fr. Eckert introduced the sisters to the parishioners, giving them keys to the convent. A number of people climbed the steps to see what a comfortable convent had been prepared.

Since some means of transportation was needed, the St. Catherine Convent of the Sisters of Mercy Corporation bought a Chevrolet Cavalier for the sisters. Sr. Monica Marie stayed with the sisters for the first week. On October 26, 1985, the sisters from all the houses were invited to Open House.

Fr. Eckert gave the sisters a parish directory, pointing out as he did, some of the people he would like the sisters to visit. There were the Hillebrands, Murtas, Crafts, Hasselbachs, Knieslies, Fauts, Mays, Thompsons, Sebreys, Cousens. Those visited were gracious and obviously happy to see the Sisters.

The little community pursued their apostolic ministry together for nine months. An event they all remember during that period of time was the preparation of Thanksgiving dinner for Fr. Eckert, Fr. Harold Smith, and Mr. & Mrs. Leet, two of the most hard–working parishioners in preparing the convent, and subsequently looking out for the sisters in many ways.

After nine months, Sr. Catherine Marie received from her doctor the prohibition of using the steps which lead from the school area to the convent above. Admittedly the steps are steep and many. Indeed, one of the parishioners referred to them as ‘Heart Attack Hill.’ Because of a knee injury, Sr. Marie was forbidden to climb them, and as a consequence she had to return to St. Catherine Convent. Sr. Marguerite Willett stayed through the summer, but returned to St. Catherine on September 24, 1987.

Her departure was disturbing to Sr. Donald Kaufman, now alone, but she felt very strongly that she should honor the commitment made to the parish, which was to stay for three years. Moreover, Sr. Donald had done much good in her visits to the people, being genuinely interested in their spiritual welfare.

Sr. Donald did not want to leave Our Lady and there was no one available to join her. Sr. Quentin, coordinator at St. Catherine Convent, began to ask other sisters to go and stay a week at a time with her. Sr. Geraldine Mary Hamilton and Sr. Marcia Voll of Assumption Convent both volunteered, as well as Sr. Doris Marie Cannon, Sr. Rose Angela Waddle, Sr. Marie Marguerite Rouleau, Sr. de Montfort Beeler, and Associate Member, Angela Krekel. Sr. Quentin took her turn going down at nights for a week.

During the sisters’ stay at Our Lady, the parishioners were outstandingly good to them. First must be mentioned the two maintenance men, Mike Recktenwald and Ray Yates. They readily and cheerfully fixed any household appliances that needed attention. Besides, they watched over the Sisters, trying to avert any harm or unpleasantness.

After the list of volunteers were just about exhausted, Sr. Quentin asked Sr. Prisca Pfeffer to reside at Our Lady, giving her the opportunity to work on a history of the Sisters of Mercy in the Kentucky area. Sr. Prisca lived at Our Lady for three years as this book was written, beginning with the Sister’s foundation in 1869 and continuing until 1989. It is designed to give a detailed account of the beginning, middle, and in many cases, the end of the Sisters’ apostolic labors in certain places of ministry.

Sr. Mary Donald, Sr. Mary Catherine & Sr. Mary Marguerite – October 19, 1985

Steeple Lighting

At a Parish Council meeting on July 18, 1988, Mrs. Fielding Rubel mentioned speaking to Fr. Eckert about lighting up the church steeple. She mentioned that Mrs. Barry Bingham agreed to be a benefactor and cover the estimated $10,000 cost. The following is the letter sent by the Barry and Mary Bingham, Sr. Fund:

On December 21, 1988 at 7pm, the Steeple Lighting Ceremony was held. It included a prayer service and reception. Fr. Jerry Timmel wrote and delivered the dedication remarks:

Lord, as I drove leisurely and lazily along the expressway my vision was punctured.

Before my eyes, a Steeple, pointing its finger proudly towards the sky, was pontificating.

With a quick glance from the road to the steeple to the road, a thought was pondered.

Why, Lord, do churches have steeples? An even greater question was proposed.

Why, Lord, do people want to see steeples lighted? Could not the money be used for the poor or light an orphanage or other needs too numerous to proclaim?

Why, Lord, again we ask, do people want to see steeples lighted?

Could it be that lighted steeples remind us of your own Word? You are the light of the world. People don’t light a candle and put it under a bushel basket, but on a candle stand so that its light can be seen by all in the house, as Your Scriptures have pronounced.

Lord, could it be that this lighted steeple will remind each and every parishioner that their good acts, their charity and Christian concern are to light up and make this Portland Community a better place? How powerful!

Lord, could it be that this lighted steeple will remind motorists of every faith who drive by to search their consciences to see if their love for You is genuine by being filled with good works or merely offering lip service? How pitiful!

Lord, may this lighted steeple be a constant reminder to parishioner and motorist alike that each of us has been called by You to make the world a better place by our individual actions. How praiseworthy!

Lord, as this steeple shines brightly in the night, may our God–like actions shine brightly to our world, for this we pray. Amen.

Thanks were expressed to the following people:

· Mrs. Mary Bingham and the Barry and Mary Bingham, Sr. Fund for the gift.

· Mrs. Rose Rubel who coordinated the project.

· Mr. Tom Wade of the Premier Electric Company for the installation of the lights.

· The parishioners of the Church of Our Lady for working long hours in decorating the church for this occasion.

· Mrs. Mona Yates for designing and making the altar cloth and pulpit hanging.

· Our Lady’s ladies for the refreshments.

· The organist, Mrs. Johnna Baumler, the choir, the servers and everyone who helped ‘Light up our life’ and our steeple.

Program of Steeple Lighting

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