Thursday, July 15, 2004 FEATURE Southern Cross,Page 3 Young in years, but rich in history, Resurrection of Our Lord looks to the future he name “Resurrection of Our Lord” is particularly apt for a Savan- Tnah parish which recently celebrated the fourth anniversary of its founding. Located in the building which was formerly Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, the westside parish resulted from the merger of Saint Anthony’s and Most Pure Heart of Mary Church. Though only a “toddler” of four, the new church boasts bloodlines extending back to the early-twentieth-century beginnings of its parent parishes. It was close to a hundred years The birth of this church, like ma- ago that Father Ignatius Lissner, of ny beginnings, came in stages. The the Society of African Missions, Society of African Missions turned came to Savannah. French by birth administration of the churches over and missionary by nature, Lissner to the Diocese of Savannah in stepped into a challenging situation 1968. By the late 1990s a restruc- in 1907. As he later described it turing of the Savannah Deanery, himself, he “entered upon the task then comprising 13 parishes and of administering to the spiritual two missions and extending from wants of a mission which was co- Richmond Hill, through Savannah, existent with the whole state of to Springfield, seemed in order. A Georgia.” Along with another study commissioned by Bishop priest of his order, Father J. Kevin Boland took a long, Gustave Obrecht, Lissner hard look at the deanery’s Robert E. Chaney. courtesy of Father Photo Ray Wilson, Sr., Rickey Brady and Father Robert E. Chaney pose began a mission which physical and fiscal resour- with Bishop J. Kevin Boland at Resurrection of Our Lord Church, was, at times, incredibly ces. After consulting with Savannah, in 2002. discouraging. The two the planning committees “SMA” priests persevered. and parish councils of both small deaths and resurrections that Saint Louis. We had a great time in “I was not ashamed to beg,” Saint Anthony of Padua and have surely taken place over the Saint Louis, which is a very Catho- Father Lissner comment- Most Pure Heart of Mary past year.” lic city, and learned a lot.” Future Rita H. DeLorme ed, “nor would I have parishes, the preliminary Father Chaney was named pastor plans for Resurrection include the refused to dig. I was ready to work recommendation of the deanery- of the newly-united parish to be building of a “very needed” sanctu- and work hard.” In time, Father wide study held: Most Pure Heart located on Fell Street at Saint An- ary. The parish will launch a capital Lissner was able to extend his mis- of Mary and Saint Anthony of Pa- thony of Padua Church, a choice fund drive for this venture in sionary activities in Georgia to dua would combine on July 1, based on the relative sizes of the October 2004. Augusta, Atlanta and Macon. 2000. two churches and with future Father Chaney says that the for- Expanding the mission Merging two parishes growth of the combined congrega- mer Most Pure Heart of Mary Having first worked at Saint Be- On that date, the two parishes— tion in mind. Church is still available and ready nedict the Moor Catholic Church, a cared for by these pioneer priests “From the beginning, parishio- “at a moment’s notice” for services church founded by Benedictine and those who followed them— ners who came over from Most such as weddings and baptisms for priests 30 years earlier, Father Liss- merged into Resurrection of Our Pure Heart of Mary were very ac- those with sentimental ties to Saint ner recognized the need to establish Lord Catholic Church. cepting,” Father Chaney observes. Mary’s. The church’s stained glass other parishes for black Catholics. Preceding the merger of these On July 4, 2004, Resurrection of windows continue to filter 21st- By the fall of 1909, the energetic two predominantly black congrega- Our Lord parishioners celebrated century sunlight through 19th-cen- missioner founded Saint Anthony tions, steps were taken to facilitate their church’s fourth anniversary at tury windows salvaged from Sa- of Padua Church and oversaw the the transition. Father Robert E. both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Sun- vannah’s old Saint Patrick Church. opening of Saint Anthony’s School Chaney, pastor of both parishes, led day Masses. Following the ten The Saint Mary’s School building on property located in west Savan- the proceedings in consultation o’clock service, the congregation now serves as a community center, nah. The Catholic Directory first with Father Donald Sterling of gathered for a celebratory parish sponsored by Saint Joseph’s / lists Saint Anthony of Padua Mis- Baltimore, Maryland. A merger picnic, an event which went on for Candler and other community or- sion in 1910 and sites it at “west committee was created and town hours despite the extreme heat and ganizations, and directed by Sister Savannah, RFD3.” Father M. Pfle- meetings were inaugurated to keep humidity of the day. Patricia Baber, RSM (see page 6). ger, SMA, was recorded as the parishioners informed and seek With a current membership of Resurrection of Our Lord Church church’s rector and Father F. Herr- their input. well over 325 families and with the recently celebrated another signifi- brecht, SMA, as its assistant rector. On May 10, 2000, Father Cha- continuing impact of new families cant event. On Sunday, July 4—the In 1915, Immaculate Heart of Mary ney’s detailed plan for the merger who are members of the military or day the parish observed its fourth Mission, located at 36th and Har- was presented to Bishop Boland. work in local hospitals, Resurrec- anniversary—Father Chaney per- den Streets and served by priests Less than a month later, Bishop tion of Our Lord is growing. In ad- formed the baptism of twins. This from Saint Anthony’s, first appears Boland met with members of the dition to its regular members, the unique ceremony provides a ready in the Catholic Directory. Other merger committee to thank them church retains individuals on its parallel to the merger of Saint records indicate the parish was for their outstanding efforts and rolls from the inactive lists of both Anthony of Padua and Most Pure established by Father Lissner in formally to accept recommenda- Most Pure Heart of Mary and Saint Heart of Mary parishes: a merger 1907 and its school was built in tions made in the pastoral plan. Anthony of Padua parishes. which has fostered a renewed life 1909. Priests who worked with A letter from Bishop Boland on Building for the future of faith at Resurrection of Our Lord both parishes from their earliest June 15, 2000, confirmed the for- Resurrection of Our Lord is buil- Church. days, besides Fathers Lissner and mation of the parish of “Resurrec- ding for the future. “We have a ve- Obrecht, include Fathers Pfleger, tion of Our Lord” and added that ry active youth ministry,” Father RITA H. DELORME is a volunteer Herrbrecht, Viau, Zimmerman, the name of the new parish was “a Chaney says. “Our youth group just in the Diocesan Archives. Dohlent, Thuett and Barthlen. most appropriate symbol of the returned on June 28th from a trip to.