News from the Catholic Historical Society passing edict named him a Prothonotary Apostolic Peter’s Cathedral in Erie under Archbishop with the title of Rev. Monsignor. His fu- John Mark Gannon in the 1950s – and Michael Novak – philosopher, journalist, neral mass was celebrated in St. Demetrius hundreds of churches and monasteries in novelist, diplomat, and author of more Church in Gallitzin, with burial following North America. He did post-graduate work than forty books on the philosophy and in St. Patrick Cemetery in Gallitzin. in Paris with Fr. Marie-Alain Couturier, a theology of culture – died on February close associate of artists Henri Matisse and 17, 2017, at age 83. He was a native of Rev. John W. Kelly, Fernand Léger, who shaped his approach Johnstown, whose family later lived in C.Ss.R., died on to religious art and worship space. Be- McKeesport and Indiana, PA. At age 14, May 22, 2017 at age lieving that social justice and charity were he entered the Holy Cross seminary at No- 93. He entered the principal virtues, Rambusch began work tre Dame University, earning a B.A. from Redemptorist pre- with Dorothy Day in the Catholic Worker Stonehill College (1956) and a S.T.B. from paratory seminary Movement in 1948, and was also active in the Pontifical Gregorian University (1958). in North East (Erie the Catholic Interracial Council. He served He was best known for his book The County), PA at age on the Arts and Architecture Commission Spirit of Democratic Capitalism (1982), which 14 after attending St. of the Archdiocese of New York. His defended capitalism as a morally superior Philomena School in family’s multi-generational involvement in system. He gave the keynote address in his Pittsburgh. Francis Catholic art and architecture is recounted th hometown for the 125 anniversary of the Cardinal Spellman in two works: Sigurd Rambusch’s A History 1889 Johnstown Flood. His brother, Father ordained him a priest in 1951. His parish of the Rambusch Family (1965) and Charles Richard Novak, C.S.C., was killed amid assignments included serving as parochial Dana Linn’s Rambusch in Manhattan: Four political upheaval in Bangladesh in 1964. vicar and later as administrator pro tem of Generations of an American Company (1999). St. Philomena in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill of Mt. Lebanon died on John Steranko (1990-1993). In 2010, at a gala banquet in William P. Garvey of Erie died on August February 14, 2017, at age 97. A native of New Orleans, he was inducted into “The 9, 2017. The native of Oil City received his Pittsburgh’s South Side, he graduated from Order of Seelos Witness” – the highest or- B.A. in History from Gannon University in Carnegie Tech in 1954 and became a noted der accorded by the National Seelos Shrine, 1957 and then joined North Catholic High Byzantine Catholic Church architect. His in recognition of his support for the cause School in Pittsburgh as a history teacher. works included St. Mary Byzantine Church for canonization of Blessed Francis Xavier He also taught at Duquesne University, Educational Center in Trauger (Westmore- Seelos, C.Ss.R. (1819-1867) who served in receiving his M.A. and Ph.D. in History land County), PA. Pittsburgh (1844-1854). Fr. Kelly delivered from the University of Pittsburgh. Garvey several lectures for the Catholic Historical joined the faculty of Mercyhurst College in Msgr. Paul A. Lenz died on May 14, Society: “St. John Neumann, Parish Priest 1962, becoming president in 1982 – a po- 2017. Born in 1925 in Gallitzin (Cambria at Old St. Philomena’s Church 1842-1847” County), he was ordained a priest for the sition he held for 22 years. He transitioned (October 1992) and “Blessed Francis the school to co-educational and opened then-diocese of Altoona in 1949. In addi- Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R.” (October 2001). He tion to several pastoral assignments, 18 buildings including the campus of Mer- was also the brother of long-time Society cy North East in a former Redemptorist he taught at St. Francis University in Board Member Regina Kelly. Loretto and Mt. Aloysius College in seminary. He later founded the Jefferson Educational Society of Erie in 2008. His Cresson. He became a member of the tenth Archabbot Paul R. Maher, O.S.B., many historical publications included his board of trustees of both the Catholic Archabbot (1983-1990) of St. Vincent recent Erie, Pennsylvania Mayors: 150 Years of University of America and the Basilica of Archabbey in Latrobe, died on June 29, Political History. the National Shrine of the Immaculate 2017 at age 91. Following his retirement, Conception in Washington, D.C. For 31 he served as archivist 1996-2009. persons years, he served as director of the Black and Indian Mission Office, the Bureau of Robert E. Rambusch, an internationally Joseph T. Makarewicz, Ph.D., has Catholic Indian Missions, and the Catholic known liturgical artist, stained glass design- stepped down from the Board of Direc- Negro-American Mission Board, retiring in er, and one of the four nationally recog- tors of the Catholic Historical Society. 2007. In 2005, the Vatican appointed him nized pioneers of liturgical design renewal, He joined the Board in 1984, when the as vice-postulator of the cause for canon- died on May 23, 2017 in New York City Society resumed operation after a period ization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, who at age 93. Rambusch was involved in the of dormancy. His initiation of Oral His- was canonized in 2012. In 2007, Pope Ben- restoration of 24 cathedrals – including St. tory Workshops facilitated interviews with

129 individuals whose recollections of local at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa (Beaver Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman: Preserv- Catholic history preserved that informa- County) with a Traditional Latin High ing and Promoting the Heritage of a 19th-Centu- tion for future generations of historians Mass and veneration of a First Class Relic. ry Priest and Theologian Through 21st-Century and researchers. He served as Director of A luncheon and conference followed, with Digital Scholarship. The completed digi- the Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies two speakers addressing the topic: “The tization of the archives of John Henry Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Legacy of Blessed Karl in Modern Hunga- Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) involved “Joe” will remain as a consultant to the ry: The Social Reign of Christ the King.” more than 200,000 items. The event was Society, particularly on ethnic history. The Knights of Columbus Woodlawn Council held at Duquesne University on October Catholic Historical Society is grateful for 2161 sponsored the event. Information 16, 2017, and was sponsored by the Na- his many years of committed service. on Karl’s life and cause for canonization tional Institute for Newman Studies, which appears at www.emperorcharles.org. is located in Oakland and was the subject The New Jersey Catholic Historical Com- of an article in the 2016 Gathered Fragments. mission has published a second article by June 13, 2017 marked not only the feast Newman, one of the pivotal theologians John C. Bates, Secretary of the Society, of St. Anthony of Padua but also the of the modern era, was beatified in 2010. in its publication, The Recorder (Volume 3, 125th anniversary of the dedication of St. Issue 3 – March 2017). The article is enti- Anthony Chapel on Pittsburgh’s Troy tours, pilgrimages, and tled “Shared History: Byzantine Catholics Hill. The chapel contains one of the largest exhibits in New Jersey & Western Pennsylvania” collections of relics (more than 5,000) in Sacred Heart Church in Pittsburgh’s and is accessible on line at http://blogs. the world. Father Suitbert G. Mollinger, Shadyside neighborhood conducted an Ad- shu.edu/njchc/files/2010/The-Recorder- pastor of the adjacent Most Holy Name of vent Tour of the famed church – “Artistic March-2017-Newsletter-Full-Text-Version- Jesus Church, financed construction and Riches that Inspire” – on December 18, PDF.pdf. commissioned life-size statues depicting 2016. The tour included carved statues of the Stations of the Cross for the chapel’s the apostles under the roof ’s lofty wood Aleksander J. Schrenk, who contributed walls. The chapel was restored in the 1970s. articles to Gathered Fragments as the Society’s tresses, vibrant red stained glass windows, “Roman Correspondent” during his years In late June 2017, the Sisters of St. Francis and unique stone carvings. The church also at the Pontifical North American College of the Neumann Communities – still conducted a Lenten tour of the building in Rome, was ordained a priest of the referred to locally as the Sisters of St. on April 2, 2017. Diocese of Pittsburgh by Bishop David A. Francis of Millvale – listed their historic The Heritage Center of the Diocese Zubik on June 24, 2017 in St. Paul Cathe- Mount Alvernia Motherhouse and its of Greensburg opened an exhibit titled dral. In September, he returned to Rome to 25-acre campus for sale. The order came to “Petals of Love – The Rosary in Art and complete graduate studies. Pittsburgh in 1865, starting a hospital for Faith” on May 13 in honor of the 100th an- German immigrants in the Lawrenceville niversary of the apparitions of the Blessed events neighborhood. The Motherhouse, con- Mother at Fatima. The exhibit displayed th structed in 1900, once housed 350 sisters. The 6 Nationwide Juried Catholic Arts unique rosaries and imagery pertaining to The order’s St. Francis Health System Competition and Exhibition was held the 20 mysteries of the Rosary. Society merged with UPMC in 2002, and Mount in the Saint Vincent Gallery at St. Vin- Board Member Dennis Wodzinski is Alvernia High School closed in 2011, cent College in Latrobe from October 30 Director of the Center and Archivist of following the sisters’ gradual withdrawal through December 4, 2016. the Diocese of Greensburg. from parish elementary and high schools. On November 4, 2016, the 75th anniversary The Millvale community joined a union St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland hosted the year celebration of Maxo Vanka’s 1941 of Franciscan communities in 2007. The relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina on May murals was held in St. Nicholas Croatian remaining Millvale sisters will relocate prior 9. The Capuchin priest (1887-1968) was Church in Millvale. The evening included to the anticipated sale in 2018. baptized Francesco Forgione in Pietrelci- singers, poetry by historian Charles Mc- na, a village in the province of Benevento Two archivists for the Newman Archive Collester, and readings. New lighting was in southern Italy. To pay for the youth’s at the Oratory in Birmingham, England, unveiled for four of Vanka’s 1937 murals education as a priest, his father Grazio presented a lecture entitled The Archives of – Crucifixion, Pieta, Croatian Mother Raises Forgione immigrated in 1899 to Ma- her Son for War, and Immigrant Mother Raises honington near New Castle in Lawrence Her Sons for Industry. The next stage of the County, where he worked as a farm laborer murals conservation project will focus on for several years. The father stayed with a the 1941 Battlefield Scenes. cousin and sent money home every week. The future saint entered the Capuchin or- th The 95 anniversary of the death of der at age 15, taking the name Pio. He was Blessed Karl of Austria (1887-1922) ordained a priest in 1910 at age 23. Known – last emperor of Austria and king of as having miraculous powers (including Hungary – was celebrated on April 1, 2017 130 News from the Catholic Historical. Society – (continued) healing, bi-location, levitation, prophecy, Greensburg, PA” which included Bless- the Diocese of Pittsburgh moved in the gift of tongues, and the ability to read ed Sacrament Cathedral, designed by June to the former St. Martin Church in hearts), he bore the stigmata – the five architect Comès. In 2016, PHLF awarded Pittsburgh’s West End. wounds that correspond to the crucifixion the Comès residence a Historic Land- wounds of Jesus. The stigmata remained mark Plaque. PHLF, through its Historic updates to with Padre Pio until his death. Pope John Religious Properties Program, awarded previous Paul II canonized him in 2002. financial grants in 2017 toSS. Cyril and issues of Methodius Byzantine Catholic Sem- gathered Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Founda- inary (opened in 1950) on Pittsburgh’s fragments tion conducted several tours to area Catho- North Side and to Holy Spirit Church The 2016 Gathered Fragments included an lic churches and sites: (1) April 29 – “Ha- in Millvale (designed in 1914 by John T. article on the history of the Congrega- zelwood Urban Hike: Memorable Places Comès). tion of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in and Recent Changes” which included St. Pittsburgh’s Oakland district. Deacon Peter Stephen Church, (2) July 8 – “North Side other Gruber, a member of the Oratory noted Urban Hike: Historic Churches, Commer- The St. George Church Preservation So- in the article, was ordained a priest on May cial Districts, and Allegheny Commons” ciety has been formed in an effort to save 20, 2017. which included St. Peter Church (former the now-closed Allentown neighborhood cathedral of the Diocese of Allegheny), church, which closed in 2016. The group The same Gathered Fragments issue con- (3) July 29 – “Squirrel Hill Bus Tour: the maintains a website at www.stgeorgepreser- tained a list of officials of St. Paul Presence of the Past” which included vationsociety.org and has a Facebook page. Seminary. Father Thomas A. Sparacino the home of famed Catholic architect was appointed rector of St. Paul Seminary John T. Comès that he designed, and The Archives and Records Center of effective July 10, 2017. (4) September 16 – “Churches and Art in

Gathered Fragments has provided a yearly update to its original article in the 2014 issue entitled “The Catholic Bishops of Western Pennsylvania.” Additional research has identified another bishop who was educated in Western Pennsyl- vania. This brings to 150 the number of bishops who were natives of, educated in, or served in Western Pennsylvania. The latest prelate to be added to the list:

René Arnold Valero Born: August 15, 1930 in Manhattan, NY (Archdiocese of New York) Educated: Sacred Heart Mission House High School, Girard (Erie County), PA: 1944-1948 Ordained a priest of Brooklyn: June 2, 1956 by Archbishop Thomas E. Molloy in St. James Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn and Titular Bishop of Vicus Turris: October 4, 1980 Ordained Bishop: November 24, 1980 by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero in the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Brooklyn, NY Retired: October 27, 2005

The following will update information as to these prelates:

Edward James Burns Appointed Bishop of Dallas: December 13, 2016 Installed as Bishop of Dallas: February 9, 2017 by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., in the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dallas, TX William Charles Skurla Resigned as Apostolic Administrator of Parma (Ruthenian): June 24, 2017

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