From
the Pastor
As we bid farewell to 2005, and continue our journey of faith into the Year 2006 A.D. (Anno Domini - the Year of our Lord), we pause and reflect upon God's many graces to us this past year. 2005 will long be remembered as the year in which Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II went to his heavenly reward. It was also the year of the election and installation of our new pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI. 2005 saw the retirement of our own Archbishop James P. Keleher, and was the year of the appointment of our new Archbishop, Joseph Naumann of St. Louis.
2005 was an important year in the Church of Leavenworth as we celebrated the 150th Jubilee of Immaculate Conception Parish. Now that 2006 is here, the Jubilee banners inside and outside of church will be coming down. Our December 30 prayer service and dessert social at Immaculate Conception this past Friday evening allowed us to watch our newly-made parish DVD, "150 Years on this Hill." We also dedicated mementos to be placed in the time capsule, which will be buried near the church bell tower. The time capsule will be opened on January 1, 2055 for the Parish's Bicentennial.
The DVD presentation includes an introduction by myself, a large collection of photographs of the Old Cathedral, and many photos of the various 150th Jubilee events. Music accompanying the photos is provided by Theresa Vitt on piano, Karen Ganacias on violin, Ryan Hellmer and Nathan Sutterheim on trumpet, and Jeremiah Nichol on trombone. Vocalists are Steve Aaron, Rebecca Cronander, and Anne Marie Hanson. In addition to our 150th Jubilee Hymn, "150 Years on this Hill," "Join in the Dance," and "The God of All Grace," instrumental music includes "The Ave Maria," "Be Thou My Vision," "I Sing a Maid," "Immaculate Mary," and others. The DBD will be available at the Parish Office for $10.00. It makes a nice memento for your family's collection.
Many thanks to all who made our celebration of Christmas so beautiful last weekend! Thank you to Brother David, Sharon Chmidling, Tom McEvoy, Susan Aaron, Gloria Milbourn, Leo Fink, Robert Martin, and all their various helpers for decorating our three churches inside and out! Thanks too, to Theresa Vitt, for a great job of orchestrating and organizing the choirs, cantors, vocalists, and instrumentalists at our five Christmas Masses. With large congregations at each and every Mass, we can be proud of all our parish celebrations!
This weekend, Brother Joseph is visiting his family in Austin, Texas, and Fr. Rob has returned to Washington, D.C. We appreciate Fr. Rob's presence with us these past two weeks.
Happy New Year to all of you!
