LIKE A SHEPHERD YOU LEAD US
Msgr. Leo M. Dolan with mother, Beatrice Dolan on Ordination Day June 11, 1960 Msgr. Leo M. Dolan Appointed Pastor of St. Helena June 1, 1987
Congratulations! Msgr. Leo M. Dolan On Your 50th Anniversary In The Priesthood
Msgr. Leo Michael Dolan Assignments
June 11, 1960 Msgr. Dolan ordained at St. Patrick’s Church in Carlow, Ireland
1960-1963 St. Paul’s San Antonio, TX
1963-1964 St. Michael’s, Downtown San Antonio -(Erased since the building of Hemisfair Plaza in 1968)
1964-1967 St. Andrew’s Pleasanton, TX
1967-1976 St. Margaret Mary/St. Catherine’s San Antonio, TX
1976-1980 Holy Name San Antonio, TX During this time, Msgr. Dolan also served as Temporary Chaplain for children and adults, at Santa Rosa Hospital
1980-1987 Assigned to St. Benedict’s San Antonio, TX
June 1, 1987 to Present
Msgr. Dolan assigned to St. Helena Catholic Church. Thank you Msgr. Dolan for 23 years of Ministry to the
Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 13 at 10:00 am St. Helena Catholic Church Most Rev. Bishop John Yanta
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Leo Michael Dolan Born on April 6, 1937, in North Ireland. The youngest of 3 sons born to Edward and Beatrice Dolan. Ordained on June 11, 1960 at St. Patrick’s College, Carlon, Ireland.
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Cathedral of the Assumption Carlow Ireland
Albert Dolan Msgr. Leo Dolan and Beatrice Dolan
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Newly Ordained Fr. Leo Dolan Blesses His Mother
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(L-R) Albert Dolan, Beatrice Dolan and 13 year old Leo Dolan
(L-R) Fr. Edward Dolan, Beatrice Dolan, Albert Dolan and Fr. Leo Dolan
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IN 1950 that young Leo Dolan decided to live out his vocation in Texas. He was studying for the priesthood in St. Patrick’s Seminary in Carlow, Ireland, when he heard the late Archbishop Robert Lucey invite Irish seminarians to serve in the San Antonio area.
Even as a kid, I wanted to come to Texas,” said Father Dolan. “Not to see cowboys and Indians,” he laughed, “but to visit the caves near San Antonio. I thought exploring them and discovering the treasure that’s hidden beneath the earth would be very exciting.”
Father Dolan hasn’t had much time for cave exploration since coming to San Antonio. However, he has discovered that prayer is like a hidden treasure. “Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God,” he said. Without prayer nothing good happens.”
“It’s the joy of my heart to see so many people involved in the prayer of the church,” said Father Dolan. “We have hundreds of liturgical ministers. And we have the Liturgy Committee and the Environment Committee to put it all together. These people serve week after week. I call them our ‘long distance runners.’’’
Borrowed From “The Popcorn Days” written by Merium Malik
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Original Staff
Left to Right: (Front Row) Merium Malik (D) and Angie Garcia (Second Row): Juan Corona, Terilyn Meeker, Cindy Schaffer, Evelyn Barrett (D) and Fr. Leo Dolan
Current Staff
Left to Right: (Front Row) Esther Cotton and Msgr. Leo Dolan Second Row : Laura Yzaguirre, Angie Garcia, Corrie Solis and Cindy Weaver Third Row: Fr. Walter Zinzer and John Polhemus Not in Photo: Melba Moody and Tony Metoyer
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Only 2 Priests have ever had the privilege to be assigned to St. Helena The late Rev. Sean Garrett from 1974-1981 And Msgr. Leo Dolan from 1981-to Present
Fr. Edward Dolan and the late Msgr. Wil Krieger Concelebrate Mass
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Congratulations Monsignor Dolan November 22, 1998
Msgr. Dolan receives congratulations from long time parishioner, Maria Stancombe, founding member and Chairman of the Finance Council, Ralph Yzaguirre and Monsignor’s brother, Fr. Edward Dolan
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A Eucharistic Parish
Deacon Paul and Msgr. Dolan
Deacon Stan, Bishop Patrick Zurek and Msgr. :Leo Dolan
Confirmation
Left to Right: (Front Row) Rev. Walter Zinzer, Bishop Thomas Flanagan, and Msgr. Leo Dolan Left to Right (Standing) Deacon Paul and Deacon Stan
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GROWTH THROUGH THE YEARS…….. SO MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Ground Breaking for new Projects
On Sunday, March 6, 1994, ground was broken for eight new projects. Most important would be the new road, giving parishioners access to Nacogdoches Rd. In addition to the road, would be 4 new classrooms, storage buildings for parish organizations, an athletic facility to include a baseball diamond, soccer field, concession stand and bleachers. Other The late Deacon Jay Williams, Msgr. projects included repairs of the roof of Dolan, Archbishop Patrick Flores, the Activity Building (Renamed the Dolan Raymond Friesenhahn and Jim Kormanik Center), modifications of the church to accommodate the handicapped and improvement of the parking lot and lighting of parish property.
Finance Council Members (L-R) Don Malik and Ralph Yzaguirre
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GROWTH THROUGH THE YEARS…….. SO MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Future Site of Friesenhahn Court This new road would give parishioners easier access to the parish from Nacogdoches Road
Jubilee Cross 2000
Expansion of the Activity Building, now the Dolan Center, gave us much more needed space for Religious Education Classes and The Electric Candles were installed meetings. in the Day Chapel in 1993
Constructing of the Concession Building The Organ was installed in 1997
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ALL WORK …………………………..AND NO PLAY
VIVA FIESTA
Msgr. Dolan and Rev. Walter Zinzer
Msgr. Dolan and long time friend, Parish Festival Msgr. Bob Overman
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ALL WORK …………………………..AND NO PLAY
1st row (L-R): Rev. Patrick O'Callaghan, Rev. Leonard Stegman, Rev. John Wagener 2nd row (L-R): Msgr. Leo Dolan, Msgr. Robert Overman, Rev. Daniel Majerus, and Deacon Stan 3rd row (L-R) Msgr. Michael Butler, Deacon Paul Gustowski and Rev. Walter Zinzer
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Golden Thoughts
“It was not you who chose Me. It was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit”, said Christ.
It is with tremendous gratitude and privilege that I have been chosen by Christ to be a Priest. It is with this same truth in mind, that fifty years ago, I had printed on my ordination cards the words, ‘By the grace of God I became a Priest.’
The past fifty years have been unique, even tumultuous, in both Priesthood and Church. Pope John XXIII, now Blessed, called the Council of Vatican II. Positioned in ordination during those fulcrum years of that Council and the Council of Trent, the insights of that period were compelling in understanding the “newly opened windows of the Church," in transition. The journey since, has been exciting.
The Church is safe. The Church is sure. The Church is secured by the Holy Spirit to meet the challenges of the world in a new era. Pope John Paul II spoke of a ‘New Springtime’ in the Church. Archbishop Lucey of San Antonio, upon return from the Council spoke eloquently in saying, “The Dogma of the Church is safe. It is the Law of Love that is in peril.”
Fifty years ago I expressed my gratitude and thanks to my family and all those who helped me to become a Priest. Fifty years later, I repeat with even greater gratitude those same sentiments. Furthermore, I express thanks to all those, some known to God alone, who have sustained me in Priesthood over the years.
The many whom God has committed to my charge and company over the years, are my hope and consolation; and my prayer is that some day we will meet again and mutually rejoice in the Beatific Vision.
With prayerful love and delight, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ
Monsignor Leo M. Dolan
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A Prayer For Our Priests We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry. Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love. Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Lead them to new depths of union with your Son. Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they nourish, strengthen and heal us.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.
O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior., Jesus Christ. Amen.
St. John Vianney, universal patron of priests, Pray for us and our priests.
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A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO
Most Reverend Bishop John Yanta Reverend Walter Zinzer Reverend Edward Dolan Deacon Leonard “Stan” Stancombe Deacon Paul Gustowski
“But we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for His name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.”
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WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK
All of our wonderful parishioners and volunteers who have made this celebration such a wonderful and memorable experience.
The St. Helena ACTS Community, The Guadalupana Society and The Knights of Columbus Council #7965, for providing the funding of this booklet for our celebration.
Most of all, we would like to thank Msgr. Leo M. Dolan for 50 years of Priestly Ministry. For everything he has done for the parishioners and for all of his accomplishments at St. Helena. God Bless you and Congratulations.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8
THE GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMITTEE Esther Cotton June 11, 2010
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