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ST. ANTHONY [2] Total number of parishioners: 5300 Throughout the sixties, the parishioners of St. Anthony parish witnessed with the rest of the world one of the most challenging decades in the history of mankind. In a time of great achievement we recognized the hand of God working through His people. In a time of overwhelming crises we prayed for His guidance. Now, as we recount the history of the Christian community of our parish, we pray for God’s continuing guidance for our Holy Father, our priests and religious, our government leaders and our loved ones. As we enter a new decade to become part of its history, we pray that all men everywhere will come to know love, peace and the Lord of us all. [3] 1960 Pastor: Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V. G. Assistants: Reverend Lawrence Etchingham Reverend Patrick McGovern Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Joseph Anthony Phipps, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: -seven hundred thirty-two. 1961 Pastor: Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V. G. Assistants: Reverend Lawrence Etchingham Reverend Patrick McGovern Reverend John Murray Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Davidis Devine, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: seven hundred thirty-one. In May of 1961 the largest eighth grade class in the history of St. Anthony School was graduated. The graduates numbered seventy-eight. On May 21, 1961 Monsignor O’Reilly celebrated his silver jubilee as pastor of St. Anthony parish. [4] 1962 Pastor: Monsignor Thomas O’Reilly, V. G. Assistants:: Reverend John Murray Reverend Eugene Sullivan Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Davidis Devine, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: seven hundred twenty-six. 1963 Pastor: Monsignor Thomas O’Reilly, V. G. Assistants: Reverend Eugene Sullivan Reverend John Murray Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Davidis Devine, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: six hundred thirty~two. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1963, the church of St. Patrick was dedicated. The land for the Church, school and auditorium was purchased by Monsignor O’Reilly in October of 1955 at a cost of $3,750.00. Under the direction of Monsignor O’Reilly, construction began in October of 1961. The contractor was Northern Construction Company (Sam Moore). Cost of construction was $336,353.00. [5] Goodrich and Wilking were the architects. Installation of carpeting, landscaping, altars, pews, baptismal font, stained glass windows, and all incidentals brought the total overall cost to approximately half a million dollars. Also included in this cost was the school which consisted of six classrooms, office space, auditorium, and kitchen. All monies expended reflected the generosity of all parishioners of the Mother Church and Parish of St. Anthony’s. The dedication ceremonies began with a procession through the grounds. The Most Reverend Hubert M. Newell, D.D. blessed the buildings. The Mass, Coram Pontifece, in honor of St. Patrick was celebrated by Monsignor O’Reilly. Bishop Newell delivered the sermon. Deacon and sub-deacon were the Reverends Eugene and Gerald Sullivan, natives of Casper. Master of Ceremonies was Reverend James J. Powers, pastor of the new parish. Bishop Newell, in his sermon, paid well deserved tribute to Monsignor O’Reilly for his untiring efforts to make the new parish a reality. He spoke of the day as one of “special jubilation for Monsignor O’Reilly because it was he who planned every phase of this splendid development. He acquired the land and worked hand-in-hand with the builders and the architects to bring this work to completion. In a spirit of charity that has no parallel in the history of the diocese, he not only directed the building, but arranged for the payment of half a million dollars in construction costs.” [6] The day ended with the dedication banquet in the auditorium; a day that will long be remembered as one of the most important in the history of the entire diocese. 1964 Pastor: Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G. Assistants: Reverend Eugene Sullivan Reverend Colm Woods Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Davidis Devine, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: five hundred seventy-five. 1965 Pastor: Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G. Assistants: Reverend Eugene Sullivan Reverend Angel Ornelas Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Davidis Devine, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St, Anthony School: five hundred sixty. On February 14, 1965, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly was elevated to the dignity of Protonotary Apostolic by Pope Paul VI. The dignity of Protonotary Apostolic is one of the highest honors given to priests and ranks immediately after the episcopate in importance. With his appointment, Monsignor O’Reilly received the right to offer Pontifical Mass on certain occasions. Monsignor O’Reilly was the only Wyoming priest ever to have received this honor. In the fall of 1965, Richard A. Tobin was appointed trustee to replace John H. Casey. [7] 1966 Pastor: The Rt. Reverend Monsignor T. F. O’Reilly, V. G., P. A. Assistants: Reverend Eugene Sullivan Reverend Angel Ornelas Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Mary Davidis Devine. B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: five hundred-sixty. On Christmas day, 1966 the sisters donned the new optional black habits. The habits consisted of the long, A-line skirt, blouse and jacket. 1967 Pastor: Monsignor T. F. O’Reilly, V. G., P. A. Assistants: Reverend Angel Ornelas Reverend Frank Redle Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Maureen Whalen, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: four hundred eighty-seven. New light fixtures were installed in the church during the fall of 1967. [8] 1968 Pastor: January-August 1968, Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G. Pastor: August-December 1968, Reverend Charles Brady Assistants: Reverend Angel Ornelas Reverend Frank Redle Principal of St. Anthony School: Sister Maureen Whalen, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony School: Three hundred seventy-seven. The year 1968 was perhaps one of the most significant in the decade. This was the year in which re-evaluation became the key to the renovation which would follow in 1969. In April of 1968 a new school library was opened. In addition to 250 books from the old library, 700 new books were catalogued. The books were received through Title II funds. On May 11, 1968 Monsignor O’Reilly announced that a year-long study of Catholic education would be conducted under the direction of Monsignor William H. Jones, widely known Denver educator. The purpose of the study, as outlined by Monsignor Jones, was to evaluate religious education in the Casper community, with particular reference to St. Anthony’s school. The study was to include the analysis of the curriculum, the school plant, the availability of teaching sisters and lay personnel, cost of operation, and the success of the school’s graduates in [9] fitting into community educational structures. Another important aspect of the study was to determine the adequacy of existing religious educational programs for Catholic public school children in the Casper area. Plans were in the making for a city-wide census in the fall and for extensive testing and evaluation of St. Anthony’s school students. Members of the steering committee included Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G., Sister Maureen Whalen, Rev. Angel Ornelas, Rev. Charles Hardy of Rock Springs, and the faculty of St. Anthony School. Rev. A. H. Grannan, Rev. James Power, and the Benedictine Sisters served as advisory members to the committee. Wednesday, August 14, 1968, the retirement of Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, beloved pastor of St. Anthony’s parish for thirty-two years, was announced by Bishop Hubert M. Newell. Monsignor O’Reilly, a native of County Cavin, Ireland, succeeded the Rev. John H. Mullin, as pastor of St. Anthony’s parish in 1936 and was appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Cheyenne in 1944. In the more than three decades of his pastorate, he was an outstanding leader in all parish and diocesan activities as well as in Community activities. Monsignor O’Reilly was born November 16, 1900 and was ordained in Ireland June 13, 1926. He came to the United States in the fall [10] of 1926 and received his first assignment to St. Anthony’s where he served until 1933 when he became pastor of St. Thomas Church, Monarch, Wyoming. Just three years later, he was appointed to head St. Anthony’s, then Casper’s only Catholic Church. Monsignor directed such major improvements in the parish plant as the ‘building of a substantial addition to the school, the construction of both the sisters’ convent and the rectory. He w§.s responsible for the purchase of sites, and the construction of the initial church building of Our Lady of Fatima parish and of the St. Patrick parish complex. He also directed the building of a new chapel at Midwest. In addition to his appointment as vicar general, Monsignor O’Reilly was made a domestic prelate with the title of Monsignor by Pope Pius XII in 1952. In 1965 he was appointed as a protonotary apostolic. (see 1965). He was chairman of the Liturgical Commission, a member of the Ecumenical Commission, and was one of the founders and the first president of St. Joseph’s Society for sick and retired priests. Monsignor announced that he would continue to serve as vicar general and as a member of the consultor-senate of the diocese. He also said that he would retain his residence in Casper and would live at 604 So. Durbin St. The Catholic community will long remember and be grateful for the devoted service of Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly. [11] On Thursday, August 15, 1968, Bishop Newell announced that the Rev. Charles Brady, pastor of St. Matthew’s Church, Gillette, would replace Monsignor O’Reilly as pastor of St. Anthony’s parish. Father Brady was born in County Cavin, Ireland on February 25, 1924. He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Cavin, and St. Peter’s College, Wexford and was ordained on June 10, 1949. Coming to Wyoming in the fall of 1949, he was assigned to St. Anthony’s parish where he served as assistant to Monsignor O’Reilly for three years. While at St. Anthony’s Father Brady established and was the first chaplain of the Anthonians which was for many years a popular organization for Catholic young people. In 1952 Father Brady was appointed assistant pastor of Saint Joseph’s parish, Rawlins, and remained there until 1954 when he became assistant superintendent of St. Joseph’s Orphanage. Father Brady assumed the pastorate of St. Matthew’s parish, Gillette in 1959. He was very active in community and interfaith activities and directed the construction of a large catechetical center and social hall. Father was also consistently involved in diocesan youth activities. At all the Masses on August 27, 1968, Father Brady introduced himself as the new pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Casper. During the summer of 1968 several substantial improvements were made in St. Anthony’s school. These included a lighting system, cable television outlets in each classroom, audio-visual equipment, [12] listening centers, and a science room and laboratory. Plans were begun for future improvements to be made during the summer of 1969. On October 1, 1968 St. Anthony’s Parent-Teacher Organization replaced St. Anthony’s Mothers’ Club. The new organization proved most effective and its success was based upon the standing committee operation and the energetic involvment of both mothers and fathers. The first officers and committee chairman lent invaluable leadership and cooperation to the project. They were: Warren “Cy” Wallace, president; Mrs. George Johnson, vice-president; Mrs. John Ellbogen, secretary; Charles Curtis, treasurer; Mrs. M. Joseph Burke, spiritual development chairman; Bill Butler, financial chairman; Lee Miller, athletic chairman; Mrs. Dennis Knopik, school plant chairman; Dr. William Harris, health and safety chairman; Mrs. Donald Ackerman, home and school chairman; Miss Mary Lovrien, publicity chairman. The city-wide census of Catholic homes took place on October 6, 1968. Once the census was completed, evaluation was begun to determine the spiritual and educational needs of the city’s Catholic population. Testing of St. Anthony’s School students and evaluation of the school plant etc. took place simultaneously. Members of the evaluation committee included: Monsignor William H. Jones, superintendent of education in the Archdiocese of Denver; Monsignor T. F. O’Reilly; Father Charles Brady, pastor of St. Anthony’s; Sister Maureen Whalen, principal of St. Anthony’s School; Robert Tripeny, general chairman; Mrs. Jan Wilking, co-[13]chairman and president of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; and Rev. Angel Ornelas, St. Anthony’s. 1969 Pastor: Reverend Charles Brady Assistants: Reverend Michael Carr Reverend Vincent Langfield Principal of St. Anthony’s School: Sister Maureen Whalen, B.V.M. Number of students enrolled in St. Anthony’s School: three hundred eighty-nine. In May of 1969, the results of the parish evaluation and school study were presented to all interested parishioners from the three Casper Parishes. Recommendations of the evaluation committee included a CCD center to be headed by Reverend Angel Ornelas on the secondary level and the Benedictine Sisters from Rapid City, South Dakota on the elementary level. The center was to be operated from St. Patrick’s School. C.Y.O. activities for the three parishes would also be combined. [14] St. Anthony School would continue to operate grades one through eight subject to periodic review concerning retention of the seventh and eighth grades. During the spring and summer of 1969 the Church was completely renovated, redecorated, and painted. The total project was completed at a cost of $27,859.54. New bathroom facilities were installed. The choir loft was redone. The floors were tiled and carpeted. New front doors replaced the old ones. The pews were stripped and restored to the original dark oak finish. Mr. Jan V. T. Wilking was the architect for the project. St. Anthony school was redecorated. All the classrooms and halls were painted. The hallways were carpeted to cut down on the noise. The playground was surfaced and fenced. Recreational equipment was installed and courts were painted. The bathrooms in the older section of the building were completely renovated. The cost of the school improvements was $26,915,46. In the Fall of 1969 there were three series of meetings scheduled. All parishioners and parents were invited to attend. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss and evaluate the advisability of continuing the seventh and eighth grades. The Most Reverend Hubert M. Newell attended the final meeting at which time it was determined by an almost unanimous vote to continue the seventh and eighth grades for three years. The month of August 1969 saw the culmination of a long awaited project: the official opening of the North Side Center. The finances for the Center were accumulated from the freewill offerings of many of the citizens of Casper and from bequeathments from James F. McVaney, Larry Burke, and Margaret Brattis. The Center building, located at North Durbin and H Streets, consists of office facilities, three classrooms and a well-child clinic. The total cost of renovation was $15,608.19. St. Anthony’s parishioners and clergy and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary have made the Center a great success. [15] The Center is operated in close conjunction with all welfare agencies, the Unemployed Commission, and many other charitable organizations to make many services available to needy families. Some of these services include the well-child care program; nutrition and budget planning for low income families; adult education; instruction in the use and care of household appliances; counseling and guidance for all ages; cooking and sewing; and religious instruction for Catholic children of the area. In the Fall of 1969, Mr. M. Joseph Burke was appointed to replace Charles A. Cullen who resigned because of ill health. The dedicated work of both Charles Cullen and John Casey has always been appreciated and will always be remembered. Their assistance to Monsignor O’Reilly was invaluable. Throughout the school year the P. T. O. continued to operate most effectively under the leadership of Warren “Cy” Wallace, president; Mrs. George Johnson, vice-president; Mrs. John Ellbogen, secretary; Charles Curtis, treasurer; Bill Butler, finance chairman; Mrs. John W. MacGuire, Home and school chairman; Lee Miller, Athletic Chairman; Dr, William Harris, Health and Safety chairman; Mrs. Peter Goedicke, Publicity chairman; Marvin Wilson, School plant chairman; and Mrs. Jerry Hinds, Spiritual development chairman. [16] This history would not be complete without an expression of gratitude to the many parishioners who have given their time and support to C.C.D., C.Y.O. and other parish activities. A special thanks is due to the past presidents of both Mothers’ Club and the Altar and Rosary Society. MOTHERS’ CLUB PAST PRESIDENTS: 1960-61 ..... Mrs. Ray O’Brien 1961-65 ..... Mrs. F, H. Haigler 1965-64 ..... Mrs. Aldo A. Dona 1964-65 ..... Mrs. Harold Schmidt 1965-66 ..... Mrs. Charles Gray 1966-6? ..... Mrs. C. E. Stransky 1967-68 ..... Mrs. Fred Kemme and Mrs. George Johnson 1968 ..... Mrs. Hugh J. Bryan ALTAR AND ROSARY PAST PRESIDENTS The following ladies served as Presidents between 1960 and 1969: Mrs. Frank Bowron Mrs. Hugh Bryan Mrs. Denis Daly [17] With the continued support of the parishioners the next decade promises many great spiritual and apostolic achievements. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped make this history possible, especially Father Brady, Monsignor Thomas F.O’Reilly, and the Sisters of Charity, B.V.M. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Edward P. McCarthy |
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