Church of Our Lady Parish History - Chapter Twelve Part Four

Community Ties

Bits & Pieces

Designed to keep parishioners and non-parishioners alike informed of happenings at Our Lady, the parish created a quarterly newsletter titled ‘Bits & Pieces.’ In February 1998 nearly five hundred people received their first issue. The following was the opening remark:

Perhaps you are a regular member or one who comes all the time but not yet registered. Maybe you attended Our Lady’s school between the time of its opening in 1912 and its closing in 1971. At one time or another you may have enjoyed our Fall Festival and Chili Supper or Spring Festival, or maybe you came over for a good fish dinner during Lent. Visitors are always welcome, so maybe you just stopped by to see ‘that church you can see from the expressway.’ We hope you find this newsletter informative and we invite you to participate in as many activities as you are able.

In addition to announcing events, the newsletter also serves to explain religious devotions and practices, solicit funds for special projects and notify parishioners of baptisms, marriages and funerals. Sr. Buniff served as editor from February 1998 through May 2003 when Charles Wetzelberger IV assumed the role through 2008. As with any endeavor, it could not be accomplished alone. Those who copied, addressed and mailed the newsletter included Cecilia Cassady, Sr. Teresa Anne Kelemen and Mary French.

Hospitality

Many people have visited Our Lady’s for tours, days of recollection and spiritual events, including former parishioners, school groups and organizations. Some of those who visited the parish: Legion of Mary, Grandparents, Shepherds of Christ Associates, Third Order Carmelites, St. Anne’s Confraternity, The Knights of Columbus and the Portland Museum. Our Lady’s is featured in a historical program for the Faith Channel entitled ‘Image of Jesus King of All Nations’ which aired September 16-30, 1999. Deacon William Klump’s family was video-taped for use in the diaconate program.

Just as Jesus broke bread with His disciples, the parish hosted many dinners open to parish and the Portland community. They served as important fundraisers and covered every season: Winterfest in January, Lenten Fish Frys, Chicken dinner in September and the Fall Festival or Octoberfest. From newsletter announcements:

Winterfest - January 21, 2006, 4 to 8:30pm

Mark your calendars now for this wintertime fellowship and dinner! In addition to our traditional roast beef dinner, activities will feature a cake wheel, bankers and a novelty booth. There will also be a special raffle on a barrel of groceries. We ask parishioners to donate non-perishable items for the barrel.

Chicken Dinner - September 20, 2003, 4pm to 9pm

Come and share a complete chicken dinner with friends and family, prepared by the many wonderful cooks at Our Lady! It includes ¼ fried chicken with sides and your choice of tea, coffee or water. Adults $6; children $3.

A raffle will be held in conjunction with the chicken dinner. Enclosed with this newsletter are ten tickets on an Afghan and a nursery quilt with pillow. Each ticket offers you two chances to win! Drawings will use the same barrel. We are requesting a $1 donation per ticket. You may mail them to the parish office or drop them into the collection basket. An envelope is provided for convenience. The dinner and raffles are sponsored by the Booster Club.

Lenten Fish Fry - Starting February 27, 2004

Starting February 27th, join us at Lehmann Hall every Friday during Lent from 4 to 8pm for the best fish sandwiches in town! Several side items will be available for your choosing. There will be a cake wheel and your donation of a cake or other baked good is appreciated. A member of the Booster Club will be selling tickets for a raffle to be drawn Friday April 2^nd.

Octoberfest - October 15, 2005, 4pm to 9pm

The menu for the Octoberfest is turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and cranberries. Adults $7; children $4. The capital prize is $5 per ticket for a chance to win $1000, $300 and $200. Fun activities: cake wheel, novelty booth, horse race bingo and pull-tabs. This year includes a Christmas Booth. To donate to this booth you can purchase Christmas items such as ornaments, candles and knick-knacks.

Spring Festival

The annual Spring Festival that started during the pastorate of Rev. Robert Reilly grew into a major fundraiser and an opportunity to reach the entire Portland community. The event was truly a parish-wide collaboration requiring the efforts of both staff and parishioners. In addition to formal sponsors, parishioners were called upon to supply donations and use their creativity to create prizes.

Past booths included:

Capital Prize Pull Tabs Novelties Candy

Nickel Pitch Inflatables Plants Plush Animals

Housewares Jars Ring Toss Crazy Hats

Cakes Kids (toy prizes) Candles

For several years at the picnic, there was a West-End Grade School Alumni Reunion organized by parishioner Stefanie Knopf. From the 2006 newsletter: Please come to the alumni booth to meet old friends and share your memorabilia! Graduates of eight former schools are welcome: Our Lady, St. Cecilia, St. Anthony, St. Patrick, St. Columba, St. Charles, Christ the King, Holy Cross and Community Catholic.

Spring Festival - June 17, 2006 - West-End Catholc school reunion
	Charles Frick


Spring Festival - June 16, 2007

Festival of Faiths

From November 17-20, 1996, Our Lady Church participated in the first Festival of Faiths event sponsored by the Cathedral Heritage Foundation. Held annually at Louisville Gardens, it showcases religious diversity within the community and seeks to foster inter-religious dialogue. The theme in 1996 focused on the region’s extraordinarily rich and colorful religious heritage. From the program brochure:

During the 1780s and America’s great expansion westward, settlers poured over the Appalachian Mountains into Kentucky, bringing with them their diverse religious traditions. Major Protestant denominations have called Kentucky home since the late 18^th century. Catholics established their first inland American diocese here. Large Catholic religious communities of sisters and monks had their first foundations here. There have been Shakers and Utopian communities and the rich heritage of Appalachia. Jewish immigrants in the 19^th century brought their experiences here. These religious organizations inspired a vast network of benevolent institutions--schools social service agencies, hospitals, and religious orders--that continue to have a tremendous impact upon our community today.

Members of the parish staffed a booth with photographs and the quilt created for the 150^th anniversary. A photo of the quilt was published in the November 21, 1996 issue of The Record. As a sign of appreciation, Our Lady’s received a certificate naming a stone in the newly-restored Cathedral of the Assumption in its honor.

Certificate from Cathedral Heritage Foundation - December 2, 1996

Parish Website

In June 2006 Our Lady joined many Archdiocese parishes utilizing a new tool of evangelization and communication - the Internet. Parishioner Charles Wetzelberger IV shared his skills by creating the site www.ourladychurch.net featuring news, calendar of events, liturgical schedules and newsletters. The highlight of the website was a parish history [this document], compiled from parish archives with photographs and documents. Sr. Naomi Buniff, R.S.M. and secretary Cecilia Cassady assisted by providing content.

Three-Parish Meetings

Something that shouldn’t happen did. Without realizing it, St. Anthony Church and Our Lady’s scheduled a fund-raising festival on the same day! Leo Tierney from St. Anthony’s called a meeting of representatives from the three parishes of St. Anthony, St. Cecilia and Our Lady to share scheduled events to prevent future conflicts. The first meeting was held on Sunday, November 15, 1998 at St. Anthony Church. Kelly Watson, Cecilia Cassady and Sr. Buniff represented Our Lady’s.

With the realization that any one of the three parishes could be closed in the near future, it was agreed to work together. Christ the King Parish was invited to join, since it is one of the last four Catholic churches still open in Louisville’s West End. It was proposed to host several events jointly: Confirmation, religious education, RCIA, festivals and the Legion of Mary.

The following are summaries of subsequent meetings:

· 01/17/99

Deacon William R. Klump joined as representative for Our Lady’s. Topics discussed were a skating party, a teen dance, the possibility of getting use of St. Anthony gym for Community Catholic School at a cheaper price than the regular rental fee, a volleyball league.

· 03/21/99

In addition to Our Lady representatives, attendees from St. Anthony included Fr. Leo Kennedy, Leo Tierney, Sharon Pittman, Kevin Miles and Pete and Evie O’Connell. Mary McCoy and Deacon Paul Bissig represented St. Cecilia. Skating parties were scheduled for youth and everyone was invited to Our Lady for its parish mission in November.

· 11/20/99

The main question was: Where is the West End going to be five years from now? In ten years? Immediate concerns were shared, ways that St. Anthony Parish was helping at Community Catholic School, and other social events that could take place.

· 01/27/00

Leo Tierney reported that a Wish List was presented by the principal of Community Catholic School, Mrs. Olga Golub. Community Catholic School is on a five-year plan to receive financial help from the Archdiocese and that time is up for renewal. Leo also announced that volunteers are needed for the tutoring program. Fund-raising ideas were discussed.

· 03/16/00

A Golf scramble would take place in April, also the annual Night at the Races on the same day. Deacon Bill Klump said that Sr. Lucianne Siers, O.P., Executive Director of Project AIMM was invited to come and listen to the needs of our parishes and perhaps offer assistance in starting a program for youth.

· 07/12/00

Sr. Siers reported that three volunteers were coming from Notre Dame University to help form a youth group within the three parishes. She requested that several committee members go with her to speak to Dr. Carole Goodwin, the Archdiocesan director of youth ministry.

· 11/01/00

After meeting with Dr. Carole Goodwin, it was determined that her experience was not with younger children. However, there was the possibility that youth could be a pilot study for others. Sr. Buniff suggested that since the youth committee was in operation that there should be a spiritual life committee formed for the three parishes.

· 01/10/01

A list of all spiritual life activities in the parishes was distributed. The following ideas were discussed: a three-parish choir for funerals, a vacation Bible school, a three-parish newsletter, hosting a social on Friday or Saturday evening at St. Anthony’s, a family life committee, and a fund-raising committee. A chart showing lines of authority was presented by Sr. Buniff. She stressed that pastors were responsible for their own parishes and must approve ideas.

· 03/08/01

The youth group was encouraged to participate in the May Procession at Our Lady’s. Dates were set for the vacation Bible school, and a report on the spiritual life committee was given by Sr. Buniff. The three-parish newsletter would be sent to all parishioners of St. Anthony, St. Cecilia and Our Lady plus another 500 who were on Leo Tierney’s mailing list. The Portland Association of Catholics Together (PACT) was the name adopted by the committee.

The last meeting was May 30, 2001 with Sr. Buniff, Mary French, Charles Frick, Sug McBride and Regenia Herron representing Out Lady. Due to lack of interest by the general membership, no further meetings were scheduled.

Record Article on Rev. John Burke - January 24, 2005

Feast of the Assumption Anniversary Dinners

While not significant anniversaries, the parish celebrated the Feast of the Assumption on several occasions by inviting former parishioners and friends of the parish to attend Mass and share a catered dinner. In 2007 parishioners from St. Cecilia and St. Anthony parishes joined Our Lady for Mass with Fr. Pius Poff, OFM Conv., concelebrating.

166^th Anniversary Mass & Reception - August 14, 2005






Servers Lacy Randolph and Andrew Klump		Sr. Mary Naomi Buniff, R.S.M. Rev. Robert Reilly

Rev. John Burke

Deacon Paul Bissig (St. Cecilia) & Deacon William Klump (Our Lady)

Sr. Mary Naomi Buniff, Sr. Mary Frances Lueke & Sr. Catherine Marie Melton





168^th Anniversary Mass & Reception - August 19, 2007

Community Outreach

Responding to the Gospel call to show compassion to the vulnerable and marginalized, parishioners participated in a number of charitable giving programs over the years that benefited people beyond the parish boundary. From bulletins and newsletters:

Mother’s Day Rose Sale and Baby Bottles

Have you ever wondered how you and your family can lend your support to pro-life work? From Mother’s Day to Father’s Day you will have the opportunity to do so by participating in a dual fundraiser for the Pregnancy Resource Center. This non-profit organization served 1700 clients in 2005. It offers alternatives to abortion, referrals, friendship and prayers to those facing crisis pregnancies. You can help by purchasing beautiful long-stemmed roses after each Mass on Mother’s Day. The requested donation is $2 per rose or $20 per dozen. Honor your mother or someone who has loved you with a mother’s love and help PROMOTE LIFE at the same time. Pick up a baby bottle to take home with you. Fill it checks, currency and/or coins. This can be a family project with each member giving as they are able. Return the filled bottle to church on Father’s Day. Please lend your support to the life-saving work of the Pregnancy Resource Center!

Portland Meal Delivery

Volunteers are needed to deliver meals once a week in the Portland area. There are approximately 12 deliveries which will take about one hour of your time. Pick up meals at the Neighborhood House at 10:30am. Call Charles Frick at the Neighborhood House.

Christmas Toys

Each year at Christmas the volunteers at the Franciscan Shelter House give toys to poor children whose parents can’t afford to get them anything. Volunteers depend on parishes like ours to donate toys. Please gift wrap and mark the gifts boy or girl along with age and place them in the boxes in the rear of church.

Ministry to Area Homebound

If you are unable to attend Mass because of illness, age or infirmity but wish to receive Holy Communion, please contact Sr. Teresa Anne or Jim and Betty Doolan.

For nearly two decades Alcoholics Anonymous held evening meetings at Lehman Hall on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays with its members supporting each other in their recovery from alcohol addiction.

Christmas Week Program

In 2007 the parish hosted evening programs after Christmas on December 26, 27 and 28. The programs were open to the public and included:

December 26 - Visual Historic Portland Tour

Rick Bell, Executive Director of the Portland Marine Hospital Foundation, presented a slide-show tour of historic Portland featuring buildings and landmarks in the area. Mr. Bell has a deep knowledge of Portland history and has published several books.

December 27 - Portland Stories

A collaborative project by the Portland Museum, Ms. Angelyn DeBord and the community of Portland, this program was first presented at the museum in the summer of 2006. ‘Portland Stories’ is an interactive oral presentation by long-time Portland residents on events and personal stories about growing up in the Portland area.

December 28 - Christmas Music

The choirs of Our Lady and St. Cecilia parishes sung music of the season, including the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’. Additionally, winners of the Ladies Club Christmas door decorating contest were announced.

Louisville Fleur de Lis Festival

The parish participated in the Louisville Fleur de Lis Festival May 26 through 27, 2007 held on the south lawn of Waterfront Park during Memorial Weekend. Parishioners welcomed visitors at the booth which displayed historical artifacts about French settlers in the Portland area, some of whom were among the first members of Our Lady. Christmas postcards and reprints of the original Centennial history book were also sold. The booth was organized by Judith Werst, a former schoolteacher at Our Lady.

Louisville Historical Society

On June 24, 2007 the Louisville Historical Society hosted a presentation on the History of the Portland Canal. The program coincides with the publication of a new book by Chuck Parrish outlining the intriguing history of this commercially significant landmark here in our neighborhood. Portland and its canal continue to be an important sector in the history of the United States and the commerce that developed up and down the Ohio River.

A Derby Week Prayer

Ordained a Passionist priest on May 19, 1951, Rev. Kent Pieper was later pastor of St. Agnes Church in Louisville and penned this prayer about the Derby:

God, Our Father, we thank you for giving us Derby Week.

Look upon our city as you once looked upon the world and saw it was good.

We thank you for giving us Kentucky and Louisville as our home.

We open wide the gates of our great city, and the doors of our hearts.

To welcome your children from all parts of the world

May our city be the playground of your world this week.

May the joy, the merriment, the happiness and the love in our hearts.

Be a sign to all the world that you take delight in your children.

Watch over our city, its citizens and its guests, and keep us from harm.

May no one leave our city disappointed, or thinking less of us.

We thank you for everything that makes Louisville beautiful his week:

Flowers, trees,