Summer 2005

St. Patrick Preservation Update – Summer 2005 Town of Erin Newsletter

The luck of the Irish was upon us once again at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17. The weather cooperated and there was a wonderfully enthusiastic crowd along the whole route. After a two-year hiatus, St. Patrick (a.k.a. “the POPE”, a.k.a. John Kaczor) joined in the festivities and gave his blessing to all that requested it—thanks, John! We again owe a debt of gratitude to Nancy and Ev Henke and Mary Hasslinger for their hard work and creative float ideas, which focused on this year’s 150th Anniversary celebration of the founding of St. Patrick Church in the Town of Erin.

The official celebration for the 150th Anniversary is almost here—June 26, 2005. We are expecting visitors from as far away as California, Arizona, New York and Ohio, with many an Irish name in attendance! Father Michael Petrie, Pastor of St. Kilian’s Parish of Hartford and St. Patrick’s Chapel will concelebrate a 3 p.m. Mass, along with former pastors, Father John Rausch and Father Walter Vogel. The St. Kilian Choir will lead the signing and Steve Tennies—a name familiar to many of you--will be the Cantor. Audrey Rhinehart will be the organist. The song selections that have been chosen are wonderfully—Gaelic, Celtic and Irish--in melody, lyrics and composer. In addition, Kathleen & Charles Jeffords have graciously offered to bring the chalice of their brother, Father Robert Jeffords, to use at the anniversary Mass. Father Jeffords, who served at both St. Kilian and St. Patrick Churches, died of cancer in 1973 at the age of 35 and is buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

The Mass will be followed by a 5 p.m. buffet dinner catered by Marty’s of Rubicon. A “Social” will begin after dinner with Town of Erin Chairman, Dennis Kenealy, whose grandparents are buried in Old St. Patrick Cemetery, as Master of Ceremony along with St. Patrick Preservation President, John Collins. Joan Coffey’s cake decorating prowess will be on display along with many other delicious desserts provided by the St. Patrick’s Ladies Altar Society.

The 150th Anniversary History Book of St. Patrick’s Church will be available for purchase on the day of the celebration; however, if you want to ensure a treasured copy beforehand, please contact Nancy Henke at 262/673-5219 or E-mail Mary Hasslinger at flrlkpsk@nconnect.net. The 187-page book packed with memorable information and over 250 pictures is reasonably priced--$30 for pick-up and $35 if shipped.

As reported in our last newsletter, we are pleased to announce that the pink plastic ribbons on the gravestones at Old St. Patrick’s Cemetery are now gone. PL Gehl began the work of resetting these historic monuments in mid-May in anticipation of the genealogy enthusiasts, who will be attending the 150th anniversary celebration. We are sure many will enjoy a walk through this historic cemetery, which dates back to the early 1850’s.

For continued updates on our progress, please visit our web site at www.savestpatrick.com or join us the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Erin Town Hall. Coffee, dessert and catching up with family, friends and neighbors follow the meeting. The Rosary will be prayed (weather permitting) from May through October at 6:35 p.m. prior to the meeting on the steps of St. Patrick’s. If you would like to become a member of the St. Patrick Preservation Fund, Inc. (reasonably priced at $5/Single and $10/Family), please contact Nancy Henke. Our yearly membership drive starts July 1. We again thank you for your continued support to preserve an important part of the history of the Town of Erin.