Our World

1964

·         Lyndon B. Johnson elected President.

·         August 10: Pope Paul VI issues first encyclical letter proclaiming his readiness to intervene for peace between nations.  Regarding Christian unity, the Pope calls for stressing “what we have in common rather than what divides us.”

·         November 21: The 3^rd session of the Vatican II council ends in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.  The title of ‘Mother of the Church’ is bestowed upon the Virgin Mary.

·         The Pope reduces the period of mandatory fasting before receiving of Holy Communion from three hours to one.

1965

·         Increased involvement of the U.S. in war in South Vietnam.

·         Civil Rights Turmoil: A long awaited march of demonstrators from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama is guarded by Federal troops.  Major riots break out in Los Angeles, California.

·         June 3–7: A four day, 62 orbit flight by James A. McDivitt & Edward H. White proves the most successful and dramatic of U.S. space achievements thus far.  It includes a 20-minute spacewalk.

·         October 4: Pope Paul VI visits UN on a ‘peace appeal.’

1966

·         July 7: Seven cities are wracked by racial riots.

1967

·         Medical developments showed marked progress against three top killers: heart disease, cancer and stroke.

·         Hippies, flower power and everything psychedelic made the news.

1968

·         Peace prospects brighten the War in Vietnam.

·         The world is horrified by the slayings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader on April 4^th in Memphis, Tennessee and of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, brother of the assassinated President John F. Kennedy on June 5^th in Los Angeles, California.

·         Biafra Horror: The sympathy and outrage of the world are aroused by the plight of the children of Biafra.  Children starve to death by the hundreds of thousands because of a revolt of that province against parent Nigeria.

·         An encyclical by Pope Paul VI against the modern methods of contraception causes widespread controversy and threatened revolt within the Roman Catholic Church.

·         A flu epidemic called the ‘Hong Kong Flu’ claims more than 700,000 lives worldwide.

1969

·         The ‘Eagle’ lands on the moon and Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to set foot on its surface.

·         President Nixon maps peace plans to end the War in Vietnam.

1970

·         January 2: Cigarette advertising law bans all cigarette commercials on radio and television.

·         Major medical developments have dealt with the maturation of awareness of the urgent role that medicine must play in the sociologic problems the nation faces.

·         Drug addictions of unprecedented epidemic proportions as a national health problem and the moral and ethical implications of bio–technologic innovations.

1971

·         A crack in the Berlin Wall provides unimpeded movement of persons and vehicles on West Berlin’s access routes across East Germany, seeking to end Berlin’s role as the focal point of East-West discord.

·         Massive withdrawals of U.S. troops continue out of Vietnam.

1972

·         October 26: U.S. and North Vietnam negotiators reveal a cease–fire agreement.

·         January 5: NASA is approved to begin development of the Space Shuttle program.

·         June 17: Men connected to President Richard M. Nixon are arrested breaking into the Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate office building.

1973

·         January 8: Watergate trial begins.

·         January 27: U.S. North Vietnam, South Vietnam and Viet Cong convene for a four–party agreement on ending war and restoring peace in Vietnam.

·         January 22: The Supreme Court rules abortion legal in decision on Roe vs. Wade case.

·         Long–term energy shortages result in rationing of gasoline and government controls on the allocation of heating fuels.

1974

·         August 9: President Richard M. Nixon resigns over Watergate, but is pardoned by Gerald R. Ford, the next President.

1975

·         Rioting and vandalism in Louisville following two relatively peaceful days of school busing.

·         September 4: Louisville becomes the first major metropolitan area to carry out court-ordered busing between downtown and suburban areas to achieve racial balance.  Fifty persons are injured, five hundred were arrested and extensive damage sustained during violence.  A few days later the Kentucky National Guard is called upon.

·         September 14: Pope Paul VI canonizes the Church’s first U.S. born saint, Mother Elizabeth Seton, called the ‘Mother of Catholic Education.’

1976

·         July 4: America celebrates 200 years as a nation.

·         July 20: Viking I space probe makes a successful landing on Mars, transmitting black and white photographs.

·         December 20: A consistory of Cardinals in Rome, Italy formally approved the canonization of Bishop John Neuman as the first male American saint.

1977

·         Over 36 million American families see at least one episode of the eight–part series ROOTS by Alex Haley, and thousands begin to trace their own ancestry.

·         North America experiences the worst weather extremes in the 20^th century as the North, East, and South suffer through a record cold winter, and the far West experiences a drought that results in water rationing in California.

·         January 27: In a declaration published by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican affirms that the Roman Catholic Church will refuse to ordain women priests.

1978

·         Two Popes are elected within two months: Pope Paul VI dies August 6, succeeded by John Paul I on August 26, but dies September 28.  On October 16, the college of Cardinals elects 58-year-old Karol Wojtyla, the first non-Italian Pope since 1523.  Wojtyla chooses the name John Paul II.

·         April 6: Retirement age rises to 70.

1979

·         Pope John Paul II visits United States.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta wins the 1979 Nobel peace prize because of her care for the poor and sick in India for more than 30 years.

1981

·         March 30: President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest by a John Hinkley, Jr. as he walks to his limousine following an address at the Washington Hilton in D.C.

·         May 13: Pope John Paul II is shot and seriously wounded as he was driven through St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

·         July 29: Prince Charles of Wales weds Lady Diana.

·         The disease AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is officially recognized.

1983

·         Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space as a member of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

·         November 2: President Reagan signs a bill designating the 3^rd Monday in January as a national holiday in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1984

·         January 12: The relationship between heart attacks and high levels of cholesterol in the blood stream is established.  The results of the 10–year project are reported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

·         November 9: A memorial honoring Vietnam Veterans is unveiled, consisting of the figures of three servicemen facing a V-shaped wall of black granite inscribed with the names of 58,245 Americans killed or missing in action in Southeast Asia.

1985

·         September 1: The wreckage of the ‘Titanic’ that sank in 1912 and carried more than 1500 people to their deaths is found in the North Atlantic.

1986

·         Space Shuttle ‘Challenger’ explodes 73 seconds after lift–off, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

1987

·         By late 1987, over 50,000 cases of AIDS were reported.  Among the things learned about AIDS to date are what causes it, how it is spread and how to prevent it.

1988

·         Ozone, hazardous waste, radon, and acid rain are all terms became household words.

1989

·         Over 40,000 Americans have full–fledged AIDS and another 100,000 to 200,000 are infected with the AIDS virus.

·         November 9: Thousands of East German demonstrators breach the Berlin Wall to enter West Germany.

·         December 1: In a historic event, the leader of the Soviet Union, President Mikhail Gorbachev, meets with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

 

Our Lady School Closes

Enrollment was at its peak in 1964 at 312 students, matched only by the 1960-61 school year.  On September 1, 1964 the school opened with 301 pupils.  Faculty members who greeted their lively students that day were:

Sr. Lioba Haas, Principal, Grade 1

Miss Rose Mary Maeser, Grade 2

Sr. Roberta Manion, Grade 3

Miss Mary Ann Cronin, Grade 4

Sr. Julia Marie Neininger, Grade 5

Mrs. Sue Heitkemper, Grade 6

Mr. Charles Countin, Grade 7

Sr. Gualbert Sims, Grade 8

 

As the following statistics demonstrate, the parish was forced to close the school because of declining enrollment:

 

Students            Sisters               Lay teachers

1964–65            312                   5                      3

1965–66            309                   4                      4

1966–67            311                   4                      4

1967–68            281                   4                      4

1968–69            225                   4                      3

1969–70            211                   4                      3

1970–71            185                   4                      3

Last day            178                   3                      5

 

Notable events in the school’s last years:

·         October 6, 1964: The school’s new library opened.

·         January 4, 1965: Mr. John Ponder replaced Mr. Charles Countin as 7th Grade teacher.

·         March 8, 1965: Mrs. Blandford replaced Mrs. Sue Heitkemper in Grade 6.

·         In late February, 1965 a new teacher joined the faculty to teach singing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week.  She was responsible for the Holy Week singing, as well as Benediction Hymns at Stations of the Cross for children each Friday.

·         New teachers for the 1965 year:

Carol Craven, Grade 5

Carol Scott, Grade 2

Ruth Wan, Grade 6

·         January 24, 1966: Another classroom was opened.  Sr. Annice Quinter was assigned to Grades 1 and 2, and Mrs. Hommerick to Grade 1.

·         May 1, 1966: The student body attended a Blessing of the St. Joseph Statue on the grounds between the rectory and the church.

·         November 1, 1967: All Saints Day was “the first time that we had to go to school on a Holy Day of Obligation since we follow the public school system.”

·         June 1, 1971: The last eighth grade graduation was held with a special Mass at 7:15pm followed by refreshments in the cafeteria.

·         June 4, 1971: Last day of school.

 

Sisters of Our Lady School

The following Sisters of Mercy taught at the school since 1964:

 

1964–65            Sr. Roberta Marie Brennan                                 1968–69            Sr. Rosella Fitzmayer

                        Sr. Jeanette Haas (Sr. Lioba)                                                      Sr. Marian Lee

                        Sr. Roberta Manion                                                                    Sr. Kathleen Lynch

                        Sr. Julia Marie Neininger                                                             Sr. Antoinette Watson

                        Sr. Louise Marie Sims (Sr. Gualbert)                    1969–70            Sr. Margaret Doyle

1965–67            Sr. Cecile Chandler                                                                     Sr. Marian Lee

                        Sr. Jeanette Haas (Sr. Lioba)                                                      Sr. Kathleen Lynch

                        Sr. Borgia Mahoney                                                                    Sr. Jean Rose Smith

                        Sr. Annice Quinter                                              1970–71            Sr. Margaret Doyle

1967–68            Sr. de Montfort Beeler                                                               Sr. Frances Lueke

                        Sr. Marian Lee                                                                           Sr. Jean Rose Smith

                        Sr. Antoinette Watson

                        Sr. Denesia Wurth

 

 

 

 

Vatican II Reforms

As noted in the previous chapters, Vatican II reforms were unveiled to the universal Church in 1964.  The following is taken from the Chronicles of the Sisters of Mercy:

 

September 30, 1964

After the Altar Society meeting, Fr. Osborne from St. John Vianney Church explained to those present about the Mass being offered on an altar facing the people, also how the people or congregation were to participate.

 

October 4, 1964

This morning Fr. Lally offered Mass facing the congregation.  Mr. Gross, the Lay Commentator, led the congregation in reciting The Gloria, Credo, etc. in English.

 

December 6, 1964

Changes in the Liturgy went into effect today, the First Sunday of Advent.  Also on this day, the Eucharistic Fast permits liquid and solid foods up to one hour before receiving Holy Communion.

 

March 7, 1965

New changes were introduced in the Liturgy.  In the vernacular Mass there is a Lector.  The Priest presides for the Liturgy from the chair until preparing for the Gospel and Homily.  If there is no lector, then the priest leads the Liturgy of the Word from the lectern.  Genuflection during the Creed will be only on Christmas, December 25^th, and on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25^th.

 

March 14, 1965

This morning we were told to stand for the Offertory Verse, (after the Gospel, Homily or Creed), then sit during the Offertory hymn, stand for Prayer over the Oblation (formerly the Secret) and answer ‘Amen.’  No ‘Amen’ is to be said after the Our Father as it is joined to the prayer for peace.

 

May 25, 1969

A communal penance service was held today for the first time.  It was coupled with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  A nice crowd attended and all seemed well pleased.

 

Between the years 1972-79, Our Lady Church experienced major changes in its appearance under the guise of Vatican II recommendations.  The Tabernacle was moved to a side altar, the communion rail was completely removed and some statues were relegated to the basement.

 

Vietnam War

Our Lady’s was not exempt from those called to serve during the Vietnam War.  In gratitude for their service, the parish recognizes those who served:

Edgar J. Crismer, killed in action, September 7, 1968

Robert J. Frerman, 1966–67

Peter Joseph Hellinger

Charles Ottman, Army Ranger, 1968–70

Glen Russell, killed in action

Thomas Spurgin

 

David Cissell provides the following account:

I graduated from Our Lady’s grade school in 1962 with Ronnie Joyce, Danny Heinzman & Glen Russell.  Glen Russell was killed in action, but I don’t remember what year.  I was in Vietnam in 1970 in the Central Highlands close to Cambodia.  I was stationed at Duct Trong and Daun Luve.  We built mountain roads and were ambushed with mortar and rocket fire every other night.  I was on last of mental strait.  My faith in God brought me back alive.  I was the first one in my high school class of 1966 to come back alive.

 

 

Rev. John Elder

Rev. John Elder (photo left) was appointed pastor on June 15, 1968.  He was ordained June 7, 1941, and prior to Our Lady, he served the following parishes:

            1941–48            St. Augustine in Lebanon, assistant pastor

            1948–52            Holy Spirit, assistant pastor

            1952–59            Holy Name, assistant pastor

            1959–68            St. John, pastor

 

After leaving the parish in June 1970, Fr. Elder became pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians.  He also served as chaplain of Sacred Heart Home from 1985-92 before retiring to Nazareth Home.  He died March 2, 1993.

 

Rev. George Waldie

Rev. George Waldie (photo left) was appointed pastor in 1971.  He was born October 20, 1915 in New York City.  He was ordained on May 31, 1947 by Archbishop Floersh.  Other than Our Lady, he served the following parishes:

1947–48            Our Mother of Sorrows, assistant pastor

1948–56            Holy Name, assistant pastor

1956–57            St. Joseph Infirmary, chaplain

1957–64            St. Pius, assistant pastor

1964–69            St. Bartholomew, assistant pastor

1969                 Our Lady Help of Christians, pastor

1981–83            Cathedral of the Assumption, assistant pastor

1983–85            Holy Name, assistant pastor

 

During the 1970s under Fr. Waldie, the church experienced several transformations:

·         The church exterior was repainted, a new Blessed Sacrament altar was installed and a new Altar of Sacrifice was donated by the Ladies Club.

·         The former school building became the parish hall, and the property from the corner of 35^th Street and Rudd Avenue running westward was landscaped.

·         The former convent in the school building and house at the end of Rudd Avenue was rented to parish families.

 

Fr. Waldie retired in 1985 but served as an assistant priest at St. Philip Neri parish.  He passed away June 11, 1996 while residing at Brownsboro Hills Nursing Home.

               

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