The Cornerstone
-- a quarterly parish newsletter
Advent 1998
Volume One, Issue I
NEWS FROM AROUND THE PARISH
St. Nicholas Day
celebration
On December 4 Old St. Mary’s will hold its 14th
annual St. Nicholas Day celebration. More than 600
students will attend from neighborhood schools that
include St. Francis Seraph, Washington Park, Rothenberg
and Heberle. Last year festivities included decorating
Christmas trees in the church with handmade ornaments
from the students; listening to the story of the
fourth-century bishop of Myra, St. Nicholas; a blessing
of the Christmas trees; singing Christmas carols; and
distributing "socks"—gift bags—which
included knit hats, pencils, gloves, an apple, crayons,
playing cards, coloring book, candy, toothpaste and
toothbrush. Donations come from various Cincinnati
businesses and parishioners each year.
Old St. Mary’s
original St. Nicholas was Mr. Charles Steinmetz, an
Over-the-Rhine actor with a natural white beard who
helped create the church’s celebration in 1985. He
played the part until his death several years ago—on
St. Nicholas Day. Mr. Fred Berger has since assumed the
role, carrying the pastoral staff and wearing the red
miter.
Kirchweihmesse Blessing
of the Rosemary Bush
On October 11 Fr. Frank Voellmecke, former pastor of Old
St. Mary’s, celebrated the annual Kirchweihmesse for
the Donaushwaben Society. This annual celebration,
centered on the blessing of a rosemary bush, is an
ancient Germanic tradition in which God’s blessings
are invoked upon the whole community. It also reminds us
of the history of Donaushwaben, twice pioneers: first in
settling the eastern marshes of the Austro-Hungarian
empire, and then in seeking new homes in the New World.
Old St. Mary’s is proud to be host of this
celebration each year.
Return of the relics
In April of 1997 relics which were stolen over a year
before were returned to Old St. Mary’s Church. Many
of the 400 relics which are on display for veneration at
the church were stolen from the reliquary in September of
1996. Prayerful appeals by members of the parish to St.
Anthony, patron of lost things, did not go unheard.
Fr. Al Lauer celebrated a
Mass of thanksgiving for the return of the relics on All
Saints Day (November 1), 1998. Thank you St. Anthony and
thank you to those who prayed for the return of the
relics. Thank you also to Miss Philomena Frank, Mrs.
Caroline Hofmann and others who catalogued and re-hung
the relics in our beautiful reliquary.
Legion of Mary formed
The Legion of Mary, a lay apostolate of Old St.
Mary’s Church, is a group of men and women who wish
to bring the Message of Christ and His Church to the
neighborhood. Legionaries work door to door in Over-the
Rhine introducing the Gospel to neighbors and visiting
the sick. If you are interested in this praiseworthy
apostolate, contact Fr. Al Lauer at the rectory,
721-2988.
Month of the Holy
Spirit
Pope John Paul II has declared that, in preparation for
the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, 1998 is the
"Year of the Holy Spirit." Old St. Mary’s
celebrated September as the "Month of the Holy
Spirit." Parishioners studied the Holy Father’s
Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente
(Toward the Third Millennium), and Fr. Lauer devoted
numerous sermons to expositing the role of the Holy
Spirit in our lives as Catholics. The Holy Spirit, the
Pope reminds us, "makes present in the Church of
every time and place the unique Revelation brought by
Christ to humanity, making it alive and active in the
soul of each individual" (p.50).
Pro-Life parish
ministry revived
Fr. Al Lauer has revived the Pro-Life ministry at Old St.
Mary’s. Several projects are currently in the works
to bring a greater awareness of pro-life issues to
parishioners and other neighbors. A group of Catholics,
including parishioners of Old St. Mary’s, meets at
the Planned Parenthood abortion mill in Mt. Auburn every
Monday and Friday at 11:00 a.m. to pray the rosary to end
abortion. If you are interested in joining us to promote
respect for life at all stages, please contact Fr. Lauer
at the rectory, 721-2988.
Meet, eat, pray and
learn on Thursdays
At 6:00 p.m. each Thursday, parishioners come together
for a "pot-luck" supper in the old school
building (first floor). This is an excellent time to get
acquainted with members of the Old St. Mary’s
community. All are welcome. Pot-luck is followed by Holy
Hour in the church at 7:00 p.m. and Catechism instruction
at 8:00 in the school building. Why not spend your
Thursday evenings at Old St. Mary’s—food,
community, prayer and education!
THANK YOU: Plumbers and
plasterers
Many thanks go out to Mr. Ben Albers who coordinated a
crew of generous volunteers who donated their time,
materials and expertise to repairing the rectory at Old
St. Mary’s. Water-damaged walls were replastered and
plumbing fixed.
Home-schooler program
Every second Friday of the month, a special home-school
Mass is offered at Old St. Mary’s at 12:10 p.m.,
followed by a half-hour program geared toward home-school
students.
Jubilarians
Two couples from Old St. Mary’s Church will soon
be celebrating their 50th wedding
anniversaries. Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Don
Holtmeier and Mr. & Mrs. Henry Kramer!
Copyright © 2000-2006 Old St. Mary's
Church. All rights reserved.
Revised:
January 29, 2006
.
Questions and comments
should be directed to the E-Mail address below.
oldstmarys@oldstmarys.org
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