The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, GA June 2017

A salute to an Impish Rector Pgs 2, 3 2

By!Peter!Paolucci

ioners warmly upon arrival at Mass. This hold a monthly luncheon for a group of suggestion was summarily dismissed by elderly women who lived at the Rose of the then usher corps. One of them even Sharon. In 2003, with Monsignor O’Neill’s commented, “What are you trying to do, blessing, Joan Schaaf initiated the effort to make this like a Protestant church.” So we revitalize the CCW. According to Joan, “All started a separate Greeting Ministry women in the Parish were invited to join which lasted until the old ushers retired the CCW. Forty Ladies signed up and a By now much has been said and writ- and the new crop, logically assumed the slate of officers was appointed at the first ten about Monsignor O’Neill. An Irish greeting function. meeting. The following year the ladies priest with an impish sense of humor, who The Parish Council was more of the nominated and elected the officers and we almost became a farmer or veterinarian. same. Members were on the council for were launched. And the CCW has been And the restorer and defender of the Ca- many years and elections were rarely held. serving the Cathedral Parish since then.” thedral, who always yearned to be a sim- Monsignor changed all that to our current The only social outreach activity at the ple parish priest. system where we elect new members time was the Annual Food Drive to benefit So as I sat down to write this story, every two years and then have a 2 term the Social Apostolate led by a member of what else was there to be said. I thought limit, thus preventing career membership the Parish Council. During Msgr. O’s ten- back to when, despite his protestations and regularly injecting new blood into the ure, the Christian Service Committee was that “I am not a Cathedral guy”, Billy Ol- council. formed and over the years it has become iver came downtown to be the Rector of The Cathedral Council of Catholic another vital force in the Parish. From the our historic church, which was then in a Women is one of the most dynamic parish Item of the Month to the Personal Hy- state of serious disrepair. It was not only organizations we have today, but back in giene Packs and the Giving Tree, there is the structure that needed to be rehabili- the late 1990’s it didn’t do much except tated, the vitality of the Cathedral Parish really needed resuscitation. It may be hard to believe today when you look at the size and dynamism of the Cathedral Parish, but back in 1996 its population was less than 500 households versus 1400 today. An it’s various parish organizations were practi- cally moribund. A woman told me one Sunday at Mass that the Cathedral was a very cold, un- friendly place and she was thinking of go- ing to services at a Lutheran church, where she was always warmly greeted upon arrival. That prompted Monsignor O’Neill to call a meeting of the ushers to review the need for greeting our parish- 3 always something positive happening from that group. The Parish Life Committee was also formed as a result of a pulpit appeal to join in helping to make our community more alike a family. That first get to- gether was a revelation as the meeting room was full of various energetic peo- ple who wanted to be part of that revi- talization effort and had good ideas about what we should do to make it happen. Parish Suppers were held monthly plus Coffee and Doughnuts were regularly scheduled after Sunday Masses each month. Slowly but surely attendance grew and we got to know many more of our fellow parishioners better. One of the most notable develop- ments early in his term was the initiation of the publication of Twin Spires. As we all feel about him, stated in the first issue, we began the pub- “Monsignor O’Neill, lication to inform the parishioners about thank you for being our what was going on in our parish, give them pastor. You were there an insight into the history and features of for us in good times the church, as well as build a sense of and bad times. You community. All of that has certainly hap- shared in our joys and pened and then some. our sorrows. You’ve In addition, Tour Guides are on duty taught us the true every day to give visitors insight into the meaning of giving serv- history and beautiful décor of the Cathe- ice to our Lord, our dral. And the Heritage Balls and Galas, be- faith, to our beloved gan to build up the Cathedral Endowment Cathedral and our which now stands at almost $2 Million. grateful parish. We are Through it all, Monsignor O’Neill found better, more dynamic, good people to lead these efforts, did not because of your leader- interfere with their activities and sup- ship and unwavering ported them fully. His modus operandi faith.” was to put the right people in place and When I asked Mon- just let them go. signor O’Neill for his To many people, he is most recog- thoughts, he summed it nized for his success in restoring the Ca- up this way.....“I give thedral structure to its former glory. But I thanks to God for my believe his revitalization of our Parish is his fifty years of priestly greatest accomplishment. He came along, ministry in America. charmed us with his blarney and reener- I am most proud of gized our faith community. bringing life to this In her toast at Monsignor O’Neill’s previously stagnant Celebration Dinner, Parish Council Chair parish with only a few parishioners.”! Anna Kaluzne eloquently expressed how 4 Our Children’s Religious Education By Janee Przybyl Photos by Mary Clark Rechtiene Have you noticed there seems to be Our CRE year ended with 4 big events Reconciliation pin and a certificate from more children in church sitting in the starting with 1st Reconciliation on Satur- their catechist, Mrs. AnaLisa Love which pews during Mass, serving at Mass, taking day, May 6. We prepared 24 children to brought smiles to their relieved faces. ! up the gifts and attending religious educa- receive their 1st Reconciliation adminis- Mrs. Love, assisted by Catalina Velez, tion? This past year we enrolled 90 chil- tered by Father Schreck and Msgr. O’Neil. prepared our students to receive the sac- dren in Children’s Religious Education Although the children were apprehensive, rament of the Eucharist on Saturday, May 13. (CRE) which meets Sunday mornings Sep- their thorough preparations included vis- First Eucharist usually takes place during tember to May. We just finished our big- its to the confessional and frequent visits the 10AM Mass on Sunday, but the size of gest enrollment year in recent memory from Father Schreck throughout the year the class prompted moving! the celebra- which required additional classroom which eased their nerves. After receiving tion to Saturday at 10AM. We had a won- space, textbooks and catechists to support reconciliation and completing their pen- derful Mass filled with the families and the program. ance, each child was presented with a friends of our children. Some parents 5 chose the Latin Mass on May 14 for their Our next event was our end-of-the- presented “Judgement of the Nation” from daughters’ 1st Communion with Father year celebration. This program gave the Matthew 25:31– 46 and Amy Schuler’s Firmin presiding. After both Masses there CRE children an opportunity to present to class presented “Twas the Night before was plenty of time for communicants’ pic- their families and friends something they Confirmation” written and directed by tures with clergy and families in front of learned while increasing their faith during Caroline Whalen. !The presentations were the altar. It was a memorable time for the the school year. Julie Estvander’s kinder- wonderful, priceless and totally faith children, their families and our catechist, garten and1st graders presented “The based. It was a proud and rewarding day who could not be more proud of her stu- Gifts of the Spirit”, Mrs. Love’s 2nd and3rd for all. dents’ accomplishments. Take a look at graders presented “Our Favorite Bible Our final event was the celebration of the photos highlighting the children’s Stories”, Kristin Ensley’s 3rd and 4th grad- Confirmation. We prepared 8 students to holy faces on their 1st Communion day. ers presented “What Easter Means to Me”, receive this sacrament administered by Shannon Lancaster’s 5th and 6th graders Bishop Gregory John Hartmayer. The CRE 6 students worked very hard to ensure that were thoroughly questioned about their made this memorable evening happen they were ready to receive their final Sac- saint name and why they wanted to be with grace and piety. rament of Initiation guided by Mrs. confirmed. All passed their oral exam and The Children’s Religious Education Schuler and her assistant Sarah Whalen. went on to receive the sacrament. Thank program is here to help parents with their Sarah was a valuable asset, be it sharing you Mrs. Schuler and Sarah! Representa- children’s faith formation. We have a goal her own Confirmation journey or helping tives from the Cathedral’s Council of to enroll each child in the Cathedral who with the many tasks required of each stu- Catholic Women and the Knights of Co- is not attending Catholic school. Please dent. The Bishop spoke at great length lumbus prepared a delicious meal and help us meet this goal and register your during the confirmation ceremony about presented special treats for each of the child in September. Have a great summer what it means to be a fully initiated mem- newly confirmed. Thank you to all who and remember to talk about your Catholic ber of the Catholic faith. The confirmandi faith every day. 7 The Visitation An easily-overlooked but beautiful grace her visit had conferred on John, Mary Feast, the Visitation, is celebrated every broke out in that sublime canticle of praise year on May 31. In this year’s liturgical cal- proclaiming prophetically that henceforth endar, it was sandwiched between the As- she would be venerated down through the cension of our Lord and Pentecost, so it is centuries: Mary’s singing of the sublime no wonder that it went by mostly unno- hymn, Magnificat, which has become a part ticed. Begun by St. Bonaventure among the of the daily official prayer of the Church Franciscans in 1263 A.D., it became a uni- which is taken directly from St. Luke’s versal Feast in 1389, during the papacy of Gospel chapter 1:46-55... Urban VI. “My soul proclaims the greatness The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin of the Lord; Mary is most well-known to us as the sec- my spirit rejoices in God my sav- ond Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary, ior. which celebrates the visit of Mary, the For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; Mother of God, with the child Jesus in her Ghirlandaio behold, from now on will all ages womb, to her cousin Elizabeth who was six call me blessed. months pregnant with Saint John the Bap- The Mighty One hath done great tist, the forerunner of Christ. Domenico things for me, At the Annunciation of the Lord, the and holy is his name. angel Gabriel, in response to Mary’s ques- loud voice, “Most blessed are you His mercy is from age to age tion “How can this be, since I have no rela- among women, and blessed is the to those who fear him. tions with a man?” (Luke 1:34 ), had told fruit of your womb. And how does He has shown might with his arm, her that “Elizabeth, your relative, has also this happen to me, that the mother of dispersed the arrogant of mind conceived a son in her old age; and this is my Lord should come to me? For at and heart. the moment the sound of your greet- He has thrown down the rulers the sixth month for her who was called ing came to my ears, the infant in my barren; for nothing will be impossible for from their thrones womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:39-44) but lifted up the lowly. God.” (Luke 1:36-37). The evidence of her The Church teaches that it was at this cousin’s own near-miraculous conception The hungry he has filled with moment that the Baptist was freed from good things; had called forth Mary’s fiat: “Behold I am original sin. In 1208 AD Pope Innocent III the rich he has sent away empty. the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done wrote: “John the Baptist had been sent He has helped Israel his servant, to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) from [God], holy and righteous and remembering his mercy, It is thus appropriate that the very next filled with the Holy Spirit in the according to his promise to our action!of the Blessed Virgin!that Saint womb of his own mother”. fathers, Luke records in his Gospel is Mary’s “mak- This feast is quite significant because to Abraham and to his descen- ing haste” to visit her cousin: of the cleansing of John the Baptist from dants forever.” “During those days Mary set out and original sin in the womb of his mother at And so when we pray the Rosary and traveled to the hill country in haste to a the words of Our Lady’s greeting; Eliza- meditate on the Visitation, we are acting town of Judah, where she entered the beth’s proclaiming of Mary—under the out the prophesy that Mary will be blessed house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. inspiration of the Holy Spirit—as Mother of by all generations. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the God and ”blessed among women“. Hearing infant leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth, Sources: Catholic Encyclopedia herself addressed by the most lofty title of ThoughtCo filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a ”Mother of the Lord“ and realizing what 8

Roses to Honor and Remember our Mothers Article and Photos by Alizon Mclaughlin

Several years ago, Fr. Schreck sug- next to the painting of our Lady of Good gested we do a Mother’s Day Rose project Counsel, the patron of the CCW. here at the Cathedral, which had been Many arrangements containing roses done at St. Anne Church, his former par- of all shapes and colors, were displayed ish in Columbus. The Cathedral Council and drew attention to the special beauty of Catholic Women(CCW) liked the idea of the Cathedral. Visitors touring the Ca- and a tradition of dedicating a rose in thedral asked about the roses, and were memory of our moms or to honor signifi- taken with their beauty and the special cant women was born. ! dedication to all mothers. ! !Two weeks prior to Mother’s Day !The Mother’s Day Rose project is weekend, our Council Women began really a labor of love, not only to honor all selling Mother’s Day Roses on the Cathe- mothers and significant women, but for dral plaza. The roses, offered at $5.00 our parish family. Our CCW members each, would be used to decorate the Ca- enjoy the time and fellowship working on thedral on Mother’s Day weekend. We this project. And we are grateful for the are always overwhelmed by the support parishioners who faithfully support us of our parishioners, who honor and re- every year. But, this is not just a CCW member mothers, grandmothers, sisters ming the roses and soaking them in large endeavor and cannot be accomplished and daughters. We are delighted when buckets of water overnight. Friday is without help from the Cathedral Flower we meet visitors who purchase a rose. decorating and arranging day. Our mem- Ministry, our Parish Staff, Fr. Schreck, Quite often we hear them say: “I would bers, under the guidance and counsel of Msgr. O’Neill, and Fr. Peyton. The pro- love to have my mother remembered in Lynne Everett and our Flower Ministry ceeds from this fundraising event are such a beautiful Cathedral.” This year, a (Jane Pruitt and Kay Regan) prepare the used to subsidize the CCW’s “goals for visitor from mailed us an order arrangements seen all over the church. giving.” !Most recently, the CCW made for five of her family members. ! The Blessed Virgin Mary Altar in the Mar- contributions to the Carmelite Monastery We typically order over 500 roses but ian Chapel, the primary focal point for the Building Fund and the National Council this year, 600 roses were delivered on Mother’s Day Roses, was decorated with of Catholic Women’s Vocation Purse Thursday.The CCW and the Cathedral’s shades of white and pink roses. And a Club. Both worthy causes, which honor Flower Ministry prepare the roses, which special arrangement was done and placed women and are a fitting tribute to the usually includes stripping thorns, trim- Mother’s Day Rose project. 9 Artistic Talent Showcased at First Fine Arts Night By Melanie Brooks Photos by Paul H! Camp

On Sunday evening, May 21, the parish hall was trans- cialized in religious representation in their various art mediums. formed for our first Fine Arts Night. The work of 19 talented All of the artists were eager to engage guests in conversation artists filled the hall from the stage to the Abercorn Street doors about their inspirations and their works. and piano music filled the air. Elegant and tasty hors d’oeuvres The evening was an unqualified success and many guests were offered and bars at both ends of the hall served adult bev- requested another art event in the future. Other events show- erages. Volunteers staffed the nursery so even our smallest pa- casing Cathedral talent were also requested. If you have any rishioners enjoyed a special evening. ideas along these lines, please contact the parish office and let The objective of the evening was to display artwork for the us know. enjoyment and appreciation of our parishioners. All were in- The tables are down and the artwork carefully wrapped for vited and there was no charge to attend. Well-known local art- removal but the memories of that special evening still resound ists, Mary Lawrence Kennickell and Sharon Saseen helped chair for those of us privileged to enjoy it. Stay tuned … there will be the event. It was wonderful to have so many talented Savannah more fun to come. area artists, many of whom were Cathedral parishioners, sharing Participating artists included: their work with us. Abigail Byron-Goslin, Eylie Ezz, Carl G. Fougerousse, K.T. The artists represented a range of ages - the youngest was a Francisco, Cindy Hornung, James Langley, Marisa Lilje, Margot freshman at SCAD and the oldest a long-established artist. They Miller, Chuck Moeller, Barbara Morgan-Salvador, John Rise, also represented a range of mediums — oils, charcoal, fiber, Donna M. Sanders, Glenda K. Sanders, Jared Seff, Braelyn Snow, stained glass and more plus a range of subjects from portraits to Jillian Wenner, Nicole Willett, Vanessa Withun, Tom Yao and seascapes as well as landscapes to still-lifes. Several artists spe- Katelyn Yoder. 10

Who was Bishop Edward Barron? By Msgr. William O. O'Neill and Peter Paolucci Photos by Peter Paolucci

We have all passed it many times but may not have paid was successful at first, so Barron returned to Europe and the much attention to the plaque in the Cathedral lobby dedicated to United States for more help. the Rt. Rev.!Edward Barron. While in Rome, on October 3, 1842, Pope Gregory XVI ap- So my question to Monsignor O’Neill was, “What did he do pointed him titular Bishop of Constantia and Vicar Apostolic of to deserve a plaque in the Cathedral?” Looking into it, here is the two Guineas, a vast territory comprising the Gold Coast, the what we found out. Ivory Coast and Liberia. He returned to Africa in November of Edward Barron!(1801-1854) was an Irish born missionary 1843 and on March 2, 1844, he was made the Titular Bishop of bishop who led the Catholic!mission to Liberia. Born on June Eucarpia. He continued his labors in the missions until 1845, 18, 1801, one of ten children of Pierce Barron of Ballyneale, when he was forced by a fever he had contracted to resign his Clonea, Rathgormack, county Waterford and Anna née Winston, vicariate and return to the United States. Here, as far as his im- Fethard, county Tipperary. paired health allowed, he again took up the duties of a mission- At age thirteen, Edward was sent to boarding school in Eng- ary priest and assisted in the work of the episcopate in Philadel- land; several years later he moved to Paris and then back to Dub- phia, St. Louis, and . lin to study law at Trinity College. Edward spent three years at Since he knew Bishop Gartland from the Diocese of Phila- Trinity but did not take his law degree exams because he had delphia, he came to Savannah to assist him caring for the sick decided to enter the Catholic priesthood at St. John’s College in during the yellow fever epidemic. Sadly he succumbed to the Waterford. In 1823, Dr. Kelly, the Catholic Bishop of Waterford fever two short weeks after arriving in Savannah and died on sent him to study at the Propaganda College in Rome to com- September 12, 1854. Bishop Gartland, visiting victims sick with plete his studies, gaining a Doctorate in Theology. He was or- yellow fever, also died a victim of the disease a week later on dained at St. Agatha’s Church in 1826.! September 20, at age 49. They are buried side by side in the Dr. Barron returned to Waterford where he was appointed a Catholic Cemetery. professor in St. John’s College and taught for seven years, after Monsignor O’Neill has seen the monument, erected in his which he volunteered for the missions in the United States. He memory in precincts of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in accepted an offer from Bishop Kenrick of the Diocese of Phila- Waterford, which declares him to be “The African Missionary.” It delphia, to take up the appointment as Pastor of St Mary’s proclaims that after serving in the missions in Africa, he died of Church and President of St. Charles Borromeo’s Theological yellow fever in the “Wilds of America” Seminary. He also served as Vicar General of the diocese. As the plaque in our lobby states: In 1840, when the Holy See requested the American bishops “… Who though a stranger to our people, came to their care for the negro Catholics of Liberia, Africa, he offered his serv- help in their hour of greatest need and died in their service.” ices with those of the Rev. John Kelly of New York, and left Bal- Source: Catholic Encyclopedia timore, December 21, 1841, for Cape Mesurado. The work there 11 Welcome, Fr. Tom Article and Photo by Peter Paolucci

Fr. William Coleman, the Rector of St. of Lourdes in Columbus and he also John’s Minor Seminary on Isle of Hope, taught at Pacelli High School. After ordi- came up to visit his students at the semi- nation, he returned briefly to Our Lady of nary. During his visit he solicited volun- Lourdes and then was assigned to St. teers to come to Savannah to work at Anne where he served for 3 years and Camp Villa Marie on Isle of Hope, teach- continued teaching at Pacelli. Next he ing catechism to rural children in a two came to Blessed Sacrament for 5 years and and a half week program. Fr. Tom volun- then went to St. John the Evangelist in teered to come down along with two Valdosta for 3 years. !All four of his first Father Tom Peyton recently retired other seminarians and he liked it so much parish assignments had schools and ac- from active ministry and took up resi- that he came back for the next seven cording to Fr. Tom, he was always happi- dence in the Cathedral rectory. He previ- summers and ultimately relocated here. est working with the children in the par- ously served as Pastor of St. Michael I asked Fr. Tom why he came back ish schools. Church on Tybee Island for the past 8 and ultimately changed his affiliation to His first parish assignment as Pastor years. But what about before that? Savannah? “I was taken in by the sense of was at St. Joseph Church in Waycross, I sat down with Fr. Tom recently to community in the Diocese of Savannah, where he stayed for 2 years and was also learn more about him. He was originally the friendship between the young priests the Dean of the Valdosta/Brunswick from . He was always interested and seminarians, as well as the involve- Deanery. He next came to Sacred Heart in teaching so he went to Towson State ment of the Sisters of Mercy. Plus of Church in Savannah where he stayed for 7 Teachers College in Towson, MD, but course the bishop, who at that time was years. Fr. Tom then went to Rome on a after a year he was not happy there. He Bishop Frey. The attraction was that I was sabbatical and returned to Augusta where sought guidance from a young parish interested in doing mission work. So he ultimately became the Pastor of St. priest who summarized his interests as working in the Mission Diocese of Savan- Teresa of Avila Church. During his 11 year follows: “You want to be a teacher; you nah , which I’d never heard of, tenure, the parish was relocated to Grove- want to work with children and the eld- became the seed that grew into a 43-year town and a master plan was developed erly; you want to be involved in commu- priestly vocation,” he replied. which led to the building of the education nity; have you thought about being a He was ordained on April 27, 1974 at center/school, administration center and priest? Sounds like you may have a calling. his home parish, Immaculate Conception worship space; after he left the new Why don’t you try it out for a year?” in Towson, MD, by Bishop Lessard. Ac- church and rectory were built. Bishop “This was in August, so that Septem- cording to Fr. Peyton, requesting an epis- Boland said in acknowledging Fr. Peyton’s ber, I was in the seminary.” copal consecration from another diocese retirement, “Moving St. Theresa to Grove- In retrospect, it did not seem all that while still in the seminary, was very com- town was a historical moment for the dio- strange to Fr. Peyton. His family always plicated, “a terrible ordeal”. Then, Bishop cese.” prayed after dinner every night. And every Frey was moved, just as he had begun the After his recent 8 year ministry at St. evening, his father prayed that God would process of “incardination” from Baltimore Michael Church on Tybee Island, he is bless their family with a vocation. He had to Savannah. Bishop Boland, who was now here with us at the Cathedral in resi- one brother and two sisters and they had then the Vicar General of the Diocese, dence as a retired priest. all decided that his sister Pat would go helped arrange with Bishop-Elect Ray- For Fr. Tom, being a history buff, liv- into the convent. But Fr. Tom became a mond Lessard, who was in Rome at the ing downtown in the Historic District is a priest instead. time, to formalize his transfer to Savan- dream come true. He entered St. Charles College, one nah. of the seminaries in the Archdiocese of His first parish assignment, while still Baltimore, in 1967. During his first year, a deacon, was a pastoral year at Our Lady Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Non-Profit Org. 222 E. Harris Street US Postage Paid Savannah, GA 31401-4616 Savannah GA 912-233-4709 Permit #230 http://www.savannahcathedral.org June 2017

Address Service Requested

Confirmation 2017 Whenever Bishop Hart- mayer, administers the Sacrament of Confirmation in various parishes around the diocese, he always has private meetings with the confirmandi. During these sessions, he asks them to consider the possibility of a religious vocation. Since candidates who are soon to be confirmed will be strengthened as they re- ceive the gi"s of the Holy Spirit, what be#er time for them to ask the Lord, “What do you want me to do with my life?”

The Rev J. Gerard Schreck, Publisher • Peter Paolucci, Managing Editor • Walt Kessel, Page Layout & Design