Planning for 100 Years at St. Patrick's

Planning for 100 Years

Planning is underway to mark and celebrate the 100 years of our parish. About three weeks ago I met with the Bassos, the Mosers, and Mikey Romero, and we brainstormed how to celebrate. Tom Basso and Bob Moser are collecting 100 facts about our parish, which will be highlighted throughout the centennial year. I was also contacted by Dan Keays, who is also working on a historical narrative to bridge the gap from the last historical narrative produced for the celebration of our 75 years.

So far we want to mark and celebrate that on October 21, 1921, the parish boundaries were established as Fr. Gregory Ashe was commissioned to serve the people of God within our parish boundaries. At the time, there was no church building yet, or even real property. We believe that the Fall Festival of 2021 could be the Kick Off of celebrating our Centennial.

On February 5th, 1922 the first Mass was celebrated, and so we plan to commemorate that event at the 5:30 PM Mass happening, God willing, on Saturday, February 5th, 2022. We plan to have a potluck meal in the parish hall following the Mass, and everyone will be welcomed. It would be wonderful if music ministers from other Masses joined Doug Petkoff, and if we had liturgical music spanning 100 years. It would be great to have a variety of liturgical music marking the 100 years of the parish.

The first baptism took place on March 5th, 1922 for Maria Elena Rivera, daughter of Jose Antonio Rivera and Elena Betencourt. Maria Elena would grow up to be Helen Bordelone, an active member of the parish. To mark the occasion of the 1st baptism, and the thousands of baptisms that have followed in 100 years, we would like to celebrate with a gala dinner on the Saturday closest to St Patrick’s day, which would be March 19th, 2022. God willing, it will be a great opportunity to celebrate together and fundraise for our endowment fund.

In July of 1922, our parish church was officially dedicated, so a Summer event, is still in the works. One promising idea would be to have 100 breweries donate some of their beer, for a Summer beer fest.

The current address of 3585 30th Street was given to us in October, 2022, with the completion of the rectory, which now serves as parish offices. So it seems fitting to end the year of celebrations with the Fall Festival in October of 2022.

If you are an artist, we are looking for original religious artwork, Christmas related, which could be used to create a Christmas card collection, to be sold after Thanksgiving in benefit of the parish endowment. Dan Keays, is working on a history of the last 25 years, as well as creating a booklet about the saints in our stained glass windows, so if you would like to donate toward those projects, please let me know.

The next planning meeting will take place on March 10th. Please join us, and if you are planning to come, you can think about which event committee you would like to be a part of.

God bless, Fr. Carlos, OSA