Knights of the Altar

One of the great joys of being a Catholic boy is the privilege of serving at the altar.  To help the boys value this opportunity, the Knights of the Altar was organized.

 

 

Parent Teacher Association

Shortly after the opening of the new school building, Fr. Lehmann call together a meeting of three ladies: Mrs. Charles Mattingly, Mrs. Frank McCrory and Mrs. George Cronen.  The result of this meeting was a decision to reorganize the PTA, which at one time, had been very active.

 

The first step was to hold a meeting for all the ladies of the parish on January 19, 1951.  Then, Fr. Felix Pitt And the president of the Catholic League of the PTA, both explained what a PTA could do.  The three ladies previously named became the nominations committee and those who attended this second meeting voted to reorganize the PTA and obtain a charter in the League.  The nominations committee did a thorough job and so, on the first Wednesday, February, 1951, the first regular meeting was held and the following were elected: Mrs. B. A. Gilhooly, president; Mrs. Louis Krekel, vice president; Mrs. B. A. McGuire, secretary and Mrs. William Ross, treasurer.  The first year’s membership was 58 and there were six executive committees: Ways and Means, Membership, Hospitality and Entertainment, Health and Safety, Publicity and the Lunchroom.

 

The Lunchroom Committee faced the task of organizing lunchroom facilities which became effective in the following school year.  By April 10, the Health and Safety Committee had completed weighing, measuring and testing the eyes of all the school children.  Two days later, the School Boy Patrol of ten boys began operations.

 

The Ways and Means Committee Held its first social and fundraising event, a card party on May 23, 1951.  Just before that on May 16, B. A. Gilhooly had submitted a report at the Catholic League Convention.  She pointed out that although the PTA was only four months old, it was very active and thriving.  The following is an account of the PTA’s history up through the 125^th anniversary:

 

·         1951-52

Membership increased to 68.  Annual dues of $1 were charged and monthly meetings were on the first Wednesday.  An average of 40 members attended.  Besides the regular business meeting, the PTA invited guest speakers and demonstrations by various classes added to the program.  This year’s great achievement was the opening of the school lunch room under the school lunch program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Hot lunches were served to an average of 180 of the 203 schoolchildren daily.  Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Coy donated the kitchen stove and steam table.  Health and Safety Committee women continue their work.  Halloween and Christmas parties were given to the children and there was also a luncheon and style show, plus the second annual card party.  A family school picnic ended a successful year.

 

·         1952-53

Membership temporarily declined slightly despite increased school enrollment.  Activities include an expansion of the health program by holding physical examinations for children from the first through the seventh grades.  Safety patrol membership climbed to sixteen.  The Ways and Means Committee conducted a free bingo social plus the annual spring card party, but the year’s high spot was a ‘tacky’ party for the members.  The lunchroom program continued to prosper with one paid worker, Mrs. Bonita Deyen, and the rest for volunteers.  Parties at Halloween and Christmas were given the children and the family school picnic was the final activity.

 

·         1953-54

Membership climbed to 83 and school enrollment to 252.  Two more committees were added: a Sunshine Committee and League Representative.  The year’s activities added dental examinations to the health services, sponsorship of the drive for Polio shots, and the increase of safety patrol boys to eighteen.  Besides the now traditional Christmas and Halloween parties, breakfasts were served to the first communicants and graduates.  The sisters were given the pantry shower and a $10 Yellow Cab gift certificate.  The annual spring card party closed the year.

 

·         1954-55

Membership reached 92.  A Purchasing Committee was added to the other eight.  Our PTA also took part in the mother’s march on Polio.  Monthly meetings continued to close contact between teachers and parents.  This year also continued the same social activities and breakfasts and the card party was the final event.

 

·         1955-56

The events were much the same as those in previous years, except a luncheon for the volunteer cafeteria workers.

 

·         1956-57

Membership climbed to 101 and the PTA sponsored the major social event of the year - the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Lehmann. Besides the usual activities, there was a special safety demonstration and the mothers helped with preschool registration, art classes, and transporting the children for Polio shots.

 

·         1957-58

The PTA began a ‘Dad’s Nite’ to encourage male interest.  Other activities were held as usual and enjoyed success.  By 1958-59, progress continued and PTA took a major part in community fundraising drives.  The unit’s ninth anniversary was celebrated on February fourth by a very special ‘Minnie Pearl’ Style Show in which twelve members were the latest creations from ‘Gravel Switch.’  This year was saddened by a Fr. Lehmann’s death.

 

·         1959-60

The PTA purchased a freezer and draw drapes for the cafeteria and continued its usual activities.  It added the role of conditioning books for book rental.

 

·         1960-61

This year featured a hat style show which proved very enjoyable for all present.  To encourage attendance at meetings, door prizes were given away.  The normal activities were successfully carried on.

 

·         1962-63

The first dads were elected to office: Mike Recktenwald, president and John Jamison, VP.

 

·         1963-64

Mike Recktenwald was reelected and Joe Lanham came in as VP.  The membership reached 104 and average attendance at monthly meetings was 45.  The PTA’s many busy committees help the officers carry out the successful round of activities.

 

PTA officers since reorganization are as follows:

1952-53                   Mrs. William J. Fichteman, Pres.                             Mrs. Charles Mattingly, VP

                                Mrs. C. C. Coy, Sec.                                                 Miss Helen Murta, Treas.

1953-54                   Mrs. Thomas Grass, Pres.

                                Mrs. Mike Recktenwald, Sec.                                   Miss Helen Murta, Treas.

1954-55                   Mrs. Louis Craven, Pres

                                Mrs. Stanley Schultz, Sec.                                       Mrs. George Cronen, Tres.

1955-56                   Mrs. John Crocker, Pres.                                         Mrs. Jesse Joyce, VP

                                Joan Gibbons, Sec.                                                  Virginia Frerman, Treas.

1956-57                   Mrs. Louis Krekel, Pres.                                          Mrs. Henry Zwicker, VP

                                Mrs. John Carroll, Sec.                                            Mrs. Tyler Veasey, Treas.

1957-58                   Mrs. Louis Krekel, Pres.                                          Drucilla Dietz, VP

                                Mrs. John Carroll, Sec.                                            Mrs. Tyler Veasey, Treas.

1958-59                   Mrs. Charles Mattingly, Pres.                                  Margaret Thompson

                                Mrs. George Cronen, Sec.                                       Mrs. Leon Amos, Tres.

1959-60                   Mrs. Charles Mattingly, Pres.                                  Margaret Thompson

                                Catherine Welsh, Sec.                                             Mrs. Leon Amos, Tres.

1960-61                   Dorothy Sheckler, Pres.                                          Rose Wimsett, VP

                                Catherine Welsh, Sec.                                             Sarah Neuling, Tres.

1961-62                   Mrs. Charles Mattingly, Pres.                                  Dorothy Stemm, VP

                                Virginia Frerman, Sec.                                             Sarah Neuling, Tres.

1962-63                   Mr. Mike Recktenwald, Pres.                                   Mr. Joe Lanham, VP

                                Pat Lindeman, Sec.                                                 Catherine Buecker, Tres.

 

Summer Picnic July 16, 1960

 

School play May 26, 1960

Bell Ringing - July 4, 1965

6th grade dance ‘Laces & Graces’ - June 1961

Crowning of Mary

 

 

The Cursillo

In the spring of 1963, the men of the parish were introduced to the Cursillo Movement.  Seven parishioners made the course at St. John’s, Cincinnati.  Then when a Cursillo Center was established in Louisville in March, 1964, other men took part.  more than twenty men have participated in this movement.

 

Holy Thursday Mandatum

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper as a sign of the new commandment that Christians should love one another: “Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other.  This is how all will know you for my disciples: by your love for one another” John 13: 34-35.  For centuries the Church has imitated this ‘mandatum’ through the ritual enactment of the new commandment of Jesus Christ in the washing of feet on Holy Thursday.  During the 1960s, the following men were chosen:

 

 

Our Pillars

Our Lady’s parish is extremely proud of its many ‘pillars,’ those old timers whose entire lives have been spent within this parish.  Some have passed the ad mark and age and a few have neared the century mark in their earthly existence.  All are firm in their faith in their love for the old church.

 

The oldest is Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Beaven who was 101 on July 11, 1964.  She has lived here for 21 years and was a frequent attendant at daily Mass until July in 1960.  And there is John Edward Bindner, who was born on February 28, 1878.  His father Fred was born on the boat coming over from Germany.  His grandfather John settled in the Portland area in Louisville and lived at 38^th and Rudd.  John Ed, his daughter, Mrs. Anna Bindner Schmitz, his granddaughter, Mrs. Mary Ann Schmitz Brown and her children attended Our Lady school.  This accounts for six generations in the parish, five of which have graduated from Our Lady school.

 

On November 15, 1917, Virginia Elizabeth Kane married Lawrence French.  At that time, the bride had lived at 3612 Rudd Avenue cents 1905.  At their marriage, they have resided at the same address up to the present time.  All five of their children were baptized here; four children went to Our Lady school; four married in the church.  They also have eight grandchildren living in the parish.

 

Miss Elizabeth Doherty, sister of former pastor Fr. Doherty, came with him to be housekeeper.  After Fr. Doherty’s death, Miss Elizabeth Lived in the parish until 1957.

 

Among those who were baptized and confirmed at Our Lady and who have passed 74 more years of worship are: Mrs. Joe Ricketts, Frank Mattingly, A. B. Recktenwald, Miss Rose Recktenwald, Miss Gertrude Becker, Wallace Craven, J. J. Logan, Mrs. Louis Litzelswope and Mrs. Nellie Schaus, Mrs. Everett Chamberlain, Charles Unclebach, Sr. and Miss Marie Villier.  Most of these people were married in Our Lady Church.

 

Two Great Homecomings

As a forerunner to the 125^th anniversary celebration, Our Lady’s staged two notable reunions in the spring of 1964:

 

·         Class Reunion

On Sunday April 19, 1964, some 25 classes held a reunion in the school cafeteria.  The years represented ran from 1939 to 1963.  Over 500 former students attended this gala event.  It was ably handled by a committee whose members included Mrs. Janie Becker, Skip Bendner and Mrs. Judith Werst.

 

·         Sisters of Mercy

On Sunday April 26, 1964, Our Lady’s honored the Sisters of Mercy, who taught here for the past 50 years.  Representing Mother Provincial at this event was her assistant, Mother Mary Thomas.  Of the original four who came, Sr. Mary Benedict was able to attend the Golden Jubilee celebration and she enjoyed a reunion with one of her very first pupils, Eugene Murta.  All the living former principals were present except Sr. Mary Dolores.

 

The Golden Jubilee began with a special 9am Mass, attended by the largest number of sisters ever to assist at a Mass.  It was followed by a memorable dinner, which was also attended by the following members of the clergy: Fr. Lally (pastor), Fr. Brennan (assistant pastor), Fr. Lawrence Kieffer and Fr. Flavian Bailey, M.S.S.T.

 

At the dinner, Fr. Brennan brought down the house with his remark that it was the first time he had eaten a meal with his sister since she left for the convent 30 years ago.

 

A reception followed in the afternoon.  Fr. Lyons brought his movies of the centennial anniversary which showed the teachers and students in 1939.  Each sister received a special souvenir holy card of Our Lady of the Port.  The following sisters attended the event:

 

Sr. Mary Alicia                     Sr. Mary Amelia                         Sr. Mary Avita                Sr. Mary Benedict

Sr. Mary Borgia                    Sr. Mary Calasanctius                 Sr. Mary Catherine         Sr. Mary Charlene

Sr. Mary Cletus                    Sr. Cletus Mary                          Sr. Mary Columbia          Sr. Mary Concetta

Sr. Mary Donald                   Sr. Mary Eugenia                        Sr. Mary Eulalia              Sr. Mary Felix

Sr. Mary Fulgence                Sr. Mary Genesius                      Sr. Mary Geralda            Sr. Mary Gerard

Sr. Mary Gordian                  Sr. Mary Gualbert                       Sr. Mary Helena             Sr. Mary Jane

Sr. Mary Jerome                  Sr. Mary Julia Marie                   Sr. Mary Laurita             Sr. Mary Leo

Sr. Mary Lioba                     Sr. Mary Loretto                         Sr. Mary Marcella           Sr. Mary Patrice

Sr. Roberta Ann                   Sr. Mary Rosamond                    Sr. Mary Sabastian         Sr. Mary Thomas

Sr. Mary Timothea               Sr. Mary Victoria                        Sr. Mary Warren            Sr. Mary Zachary

 

Sr. Mary Herman Huber, R.S.M., a former parishioner who lived on the site of our present school, was also invited.  But she had moved with her family to California to join the Sisters of Mercy in 1921.  However, she wrote a warm letter of congratulations to our present superior, Sr. Mary Lioba.

 

 

Christmas 1964

               

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