The Cornerstone -- a quarterly parish newsletter

Easter 1999
Volume Two, Issue I

Parishioner profile...
Joe Bolan, 70 years a faithful sacristan

The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (Cross for the Church and Pontiff) is an award instituted by Pope Leo XIII on the occasion of his 50^th priestly jubilee. The medal is bestowed on those who have given exceptional service to the Church. On January 17, 1999, Mr. Joe Bolan, sacristan at Old St. Mary’s for 70 years, was awarded this high honor by Pope John Paul II.

Mr. Bolan, 82, who grew up on Spring Street in Over-the-Rhine, attended Old St. Mary’s grade school run by the Brothers of Mary. During the 8^th grade he was given the opportunity to serve his parish as sacristan. That was 70 years ago—1929—when Mr. Bolan was 12 years-old. Since that time, with the exception of five years during the 1940s when he served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard, Mr. Bolan has been caring for the parish’s sacred vessels and linens, candles, flowers, and priestly vestments.

He also decorates the church for special liturgical seasons, such as Christmas; he trains the servers for the Sunday Latin Mass, and he himself serves Mass on Thursdays and Sundays. Undoubtedly a pillar of the parish, Mr. Bolan’s dedicated service to Old St. Mary’s can be felt far and wide throughout our community and throughout much of the 20^th century history of our parish church.

Chris Bolan displays the Cross Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice, a papal medal awarded for service to the Catholic Church and the pope. Bolan, surrounded by family members, accepted the medal on his father's behalf Jan. 17 at Old St. Mary's Church in Cincinnati.

Due to an unfortunate coincidence, Mr. Bolan was unable to receive his papal medal in person. The day before, he was shoveling snow off of the driveway of his Price Hill home when he fell and fractured his hip. Consequently, he was hospitalized at Franciscan’s Western Hills Campus. His son Chris received the medal in his place while fellow parishioners, friends, family and even television crews looked on. The parish continues to prayer for Mr. Bolan’s swift recovery, that he may return to his faithful service to the church as the parish moves into the third millennium.

(photos above courtesy of CT Archives, photos by Colleen Kelly)

PAST PARISHIONER PROFILES

• Advent 1998: Don Barrett, Choirmaster

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Revised: January 29, 2006 .

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