175th Anniversary Celebration Highlights
A “welcoming spirit” was certainly evident as participants as parishioners of St. Patrick celebrated its 175th Anniversary. The theme was “Remember, Renew and Rejoice.”
Yearlong activities began on Sunday, January 29, 2012, with an array of pomp and ceremony befitting the rich heritage of the parish and its dedicated parishioners. The celebration ended on Sunday, December 2, 2012 with a weekend of activities which included a Day of Reflection titled, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” and a Closing Mass Concelebrated by Bishop Robert Guglielmone who was the main Celebrant at the Opening Mass in January.
Reflections at the close of the celebration, December 2, 2012
Father Henry Kulah, Pastor at St. Patrick:
“By celebrating for a full year, we kept everyone engaged and active, and will continue to do that with the Year of Faith. We can’t go back to sleep.”
Joan Mack, Co-Chair, 175th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee:
“We successfully planned a series of worship services and spiritual gatherings, along with special events, community outreach and parish renewal efforts that allowed us to reflect on the past, see where we are in the present and look ahead to the future of our parish.”
Celebration Events and Activities Overview
Sunday, January 29, 2012 (KICKOFF)
Mass -10:00 a.m. - Bishop Robert Guglielmone was the Main Celebrant. A reception and program followed the Mass in Figaro Hall. The first Mass was held at St. Patrick on January 29, 1837.
March 17, 2012 (St. Patrick’s Day
Mass and Reception – 6:00 p.m. - Cornerstone of the first Church building was laid on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1838 and the cornerstone of the present Church building was laid on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1886. We celebrated these historic milestones and our Patron Saint Patrick. Activities included a morning Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert Guglielmone. He was also the Main Celebrant at the Vigil Mass with Monsignior Chet Moczydlowski and our priest, Father Henry Kulah. We also sponsored a float in the annual Charleston St. Patrick's Day Parade.
March 31, 2012
The Jazz Affair – This very successful anniversary fundraiser featured well-known Jazz Artist, Charlton Singleton and his Band. The multi-talented musician is also our parish Organist and Director of Music.
June 23 and 24, 2012
Homecoming Weekend – Celebrate the 1967 merger of St. Patrick and St. Peter’s Churches and a tribute to the Oblate Sisters of Providence who taught at Immaculate Conception School from 1917 to 1973.
October 19, 2012
Anniversary Gala – A night of good music, dancing and fun! (8 pm-12 Midnight in Father Figaro Hall).
November 30, 2012
Day of Reflection: Part 1 & 2 - November 30th (6:30-7:30 pm in Father Figaro Hall) & December 1st (2-4 pm in the Lower Church). Theme – “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” – Facilitated by Reverend William Headley, C.S.Sp., Ph.D., A former priest at St. Peter’s and St. Patrick who served during the 1967 merger of the two parishes. Father Headley was also the Main Celebrant at the 6:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
December 2, 2012
Closing Celebration Mass (10:00 a.m.) – Main Celebrant, Bishop Robert Guglielmone. Concelebrants: Father William Headley, Father Phillip Howard (Former Priests at St. Patrick) and Father Henry Kulah. A reception followed the Mass in Father Figaro Hall.
We learned and shared a lot about our history by way of a very informative and insightful display of archival photos, documents and other items.
In addition, several other spiritual gatherings, community outreach programs and fun activities were also sponsored by parish organizations as a part of the yearlong celebration:
- Release of a Parish Pictorial Directory – Parish Pastoral Council
- Taste of St. Patrick - The Women’s Guild
- Prayer Breakfast – KPC St. Peter’s Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Court #110
- Gospel Music Concert – The St. Patrick Adult Choir and guest choirs
Parishioners presented new sacred vessels to the church to honor the past and underscore a new energy moving into the future.
