| Back to INDEX | CASPER For some years, the extensive residential development in the southwest part of Casper had pointed up the need for a new parish in the area. Under the direction of the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Casper, ground for the new parish was acquired from Harry Yesness. In July 1949 the cost of the ground ($1,000 per acre) seemed exorbitant to some. Originally, 30 acres was bargained for, then the final 10 acres was all that could be obtained. Even after the purchase an offer was made by Mr. Yesness to buy back the ground from Msgr. because of the building boom then starting. As a means of providing a church without involving a new parish in a large debt, Msgr. arranged for the purchase of a chapel from the Casper Air Base (now Natrona County Airport). Before the chapel was sold a survey was made of all the local denominations to determine which had the most need for the building. The structure was moved to the parish site, and placed on a full basement, so that meeting hall facilities might be available when the parish was established. Purchase price of the Chapel was $17,050.00 from the General Service Administration. In the CASPER TRIBUNE-HERALD newspaper of January 13, 1953 there is a picture and write-up, which goes: “The Chapel from the Casper Air Base is shown in an unusual maneuver as it crossed the Old Fort Casper Bridge. Workmen of the Midwest House Movers Co. had to jack up the structure and place blocks under it in order to clear the bridge side-rails. The structure is the largest ever moved in this area (without a floor; the original floor at the Base was a concrete slab), 80’ long, 40’ wide and 29’ tall. The Chapel will be placed on a foundation on the south side of Highway #220, near CY and Westridge Drive, and to be used as a mission church of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.” On February 2, 1953 the CASPER TRIBUNE-HERALD again shows a picture with details of the church being moved. Saturday, January 13, 1953 was the completion of the moving project. The steeple was taken off to permit transportation to its new site at CY & 20th streets in Westridge. Mr. Fred Trost, contractor, was hoisted in a boatswain’s chair by William Moon, to put the finishing touches on the steeple. Interior work and completion of the cross on the steeple was finished January 30, 1953. The estimated cost of moving and completing the church is about $65,000. Dedication of Our Lady of Fatima Mission was held March 25, 1953,
the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lady, with Msgr. Thomas F. O’Reilly
as celebrant of the Solemn High Mass. His Excellency, the Most Rev.
Hubert M. Newell, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, gave the
sermon. Other clergy present were the Monsignori’s James A • Hartmann
and John McDevitt also the Revs. Francis Penny and Charles Brady. The first “boundary lines” were stated thus: “will include that portion of southwest Casper embracing Westridge, Southridge, Fort Casper, Garden Creek, Sunset and Meadow Acres.” In the past six years these many “boundaries” have taken in and do include: South Poplar Street from West 13th and West, all of West 13th from South Poplar and South. This specified area includes many areas as yet unnamed, but in the process of being plotted for homes and businesses. The vast expansion of Our Lady of Fatima Parish has been so rapid, that the need for an assistant priest in six short years is almost unbelievable to many, but, nevertheless, is certainly an important parish need at this time. Garden creek area is now expanding to South and West Garden Creek and Shannon Heights; Green Meadows Addition and Valley Hills are parts of the Meadows Acres, as well as a business development known as the Sunrise Shopping area, which at present is in the building process; Fort Casper now is bounded by Westwood, Westwood #2, Fort Casper #2, Riverview Acres, and Meadow Park Addition; from these points we leave the Casper City limits to include Swingle Acres, Jimsville, Paradise Valley, Red Buttes and on into Alcova, Wyoming, and the Goose Egg and Bates Hole areas. On September 24, 1954 the official announcement came from the Chancery office in Cheyenne that Bishop Newell had made eleven clergy appointments, to be effective October 1, 1954 Among these eleven was the Rev. Alphonsus H. Grannan, then pastor of St. John the Baptist’s Parish in Buffalo, Wyoming. Father Grannan would become the first pastor of the new parish of Our Lady of Fatima, Casper, Wyoming. Father Grannan, the “Hoosier Pastor,” was born in Montgomery, Indiana, was ordained in 1940, after making his studies at Our Lady of the Angel’s Seminary, Niagara, N.Y. He served for a one month period at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, Cheyenne, while Father Hartmann was on vacation. He was then appointed assistant pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish, Casper. After 2 1/2 years in Casper he was sent to Buffalo as pastor. Under his leadership there, a magnificent stone church was erected and paid for, additional land was acquired for future parish needs, and a vigorous program of activities arranged for the congregation. St. Anthony’s Parish also purchased the house at 1745 Westridge Drive in September 1954. It was to serve as a rectory until a permanent home for a pastor could be constructed on the attractive 10-acre parish property. Later, in December 1955, due to the demands of the parish, the Ray O’Dell residence at 1732 Westridge Way was purchased as a rectory for $17,602.10 (the first residence being sold for $12,000). The, then, seven-year-old home, was a welcome addition to the parish because of its easier access for the pastor to the church and grounds. The house is directly across the highway from the church. It has six rooms, including a spacious living room, dinette, two bedrooms, kitchen, two baths, large office and a reception room with an unattached double garage. Adequate storage space, which the first rectory sorely lacked, is a necessary part of any rectory. The H.J. Clare Agency handled the transaction. Sunday and Holy Day Masses were set at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. November 7, 1954. Confessions being heard from 4:00-5:00 and 7:00-8:00 p.m. the day before First Fridays, Holy Days and Sundays. They were also heard before all Masses up until five minutes before Mass, but after five years time this was discontinued because of the abuse the people gave the privilege. Daily Mass was offered each weekday at 7:30 a.m. At the present time Masses are scheduled: Winter, 8:00, 10:00 and 12:00 noon; Summer, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.; Daily Mass at 7:00 a.m.; Holy Days are 7:00, 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; First Fridays, 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Confession times have remained the same. Lay trustees were appointed on November 11, 1954 Lawrence E. Hussion and Casper Rowse. Both are well-known Casper businessmen who have worked in several fund-raising campaigns for St. Anthony’s and Our Lady of Fatima. Mr. Hussion was chairman of the drive in 1952 when funds were raised to purchase the church now serving Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Incorporation date of the parish is December 6, 1954. Officers: President, Bishop Newell; vice-president, Msgr. O’Reilly; secretary, L.E. Hussion; treasurer, Casper Rowse; Manager, Rev. A.H. Grannan. The first, and foremost, need of the new parish was to make more comfortable, the seating facilities in the nave of the church. The wooden “2 x 4” benches that came with the building were certainly inadequate in many “small” respects! How many a pastor has tried to give a sermon without having to “out-shout” the small crying infant or misbehaving child in the congregation? When one has not only that to contend with, but the squeaking benches that, on occasion, broke and caused a certain amount of “distraction” it was certainly a problem to be dealt with as soon as possible. By November 19, 1954 the officers and board of the Corporation had okayed the order for new pews, together with screens for the windows and kneeling pads for the new kneeling benches. Also ordered was a statue of Our Lady of Fatima and one of St. Joseph with the Infant Saviour in his hands, a baptismal font and numerous other items needed for the church. On January 17 and 18, 1955 a great deal of work was done prior to installing the new pews and communion rail (which Mr. & Mrs. Willard G. McNamara gave in memory of their parents. The McNamaras came from Nebr. over twenty years ago. He and his brother-in-law, Charles Chapin, have an accounting firm.) The old railing and pews were removed and the sanctuary was extended on the Gospel and Epistle sides to accommodate the new rail. The entire floor in the nave of the church was sanded and varnished. On January 23 the pews had not yet arrived and as people came into church, there were various exclamations and expressions! The vestibule became overcrowded because no one was venturing forth into the pew less church (nor on, what they thought, was freshly varnished floors!). Blank expressions were seen on some faces and others showed distinct Surprise. By the middle of the week the pews had arrived and were set up in the nave of the church. They are made of oak and have a blonde finish. They make a beautiful contrast against the dark wood paneling that decorates the sides of the church proper, the sanctuary and the ceiling beams. Original seating capacity was 300. On October 6, 1957 the ushers took count and have been doing so at each Mass since. The first count was 745 in total attendance for the two Masses of the day, with 304 receiving Communion. In June 1960 that count reads: with three Masses, 1,153 attended Mass and 532 received Communion. You can readily see the need, again, for an assistant pastor. Acknowledgment is here given those who gave to the Mission and Parish of Our Lady of Fatima, from its very beginning to the, now, more comfortable and attractive church that it is. Without the many helping hands and hearts and the material gifts which the people have been so generous with, this parish could not have met the many goals made and many yet to be made. Our Lady and Her Son have indeed been most generous, too, in their blessings of the little five seedling trees (all 1500 of them the first year, and many more since!) that now have grown to grace the grounds about the church, convent, school and that about the 10-acres. Many laughed when the planting was being done! Blessed, too, was the first acre of corn and other vegetables (pumpkin—which were given away by the dozens for the Halloween season); the grasses and flowers that surround the buildings in abundance; all these things have helped to bring many visitors from far and wide, protestant as well as Catholic, to stand in amazement at the unbelievable—that a small army chapel could be such a lovely building in lovely surroundings in such a few short years. Acknowledgments go to the hearts, hands and generous offerings of many. We will here be unable to mention all those names, but in each ones little “storehouse” in heaven. God has put away many blessings for them. We quote from Msgr. O’Reilly’s “Acknowledgment” in the statement of contributions in 1953, “To the foregoing statement of contributions must be added the equally heartening manifestation of parish loyalty and lively Catholic faith by so many of St. Anthony’s parishioners whose herculean efforts made Our Lady of Fatima Church ready for dedication at the date appointed in March of 1953. Under the direction of Mr. Casper Rowse, a diversity of skills was called into service. The ready response by so many workers for Our Lady of Fatima, the long, arduous hours of evening labor lightened by the will to serve the cause of God and Mother Church and brightened by frequent exchanges of good humored banter mast have been as pleasing to the Mother of God as it was inspirational to all who gave of their time. Likewise, the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Sanctuary group, with Mrs. C.J. Carter as chairman, whose deft hands provided amongst other items, the magnificent drapes in the sanctuary will look with pride on their blue and gold gift to Our Blessed Lady of Fatima, in whose honor this church is dedicated. To all who, by monetary aide and voluntary labor helped in this project may the Blessed Mother of God be a “Tower of Strength” always. In this category are those whose prompt generosity provided the electric organ, and also those who made provision for purchase of essential furnishings and appurtenances of a new church, via: Main Altar, Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd N. Hagood; Chalice, Mr.& Mrs. E.E. Allen; Tabernacle, Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Blind; Stations of the cross, Mr. & Mrs. E.T. Daly, Sanctuary Crucifix, Mrs. J.P. Becker (deceased, 1960) and her son, Ernest; Spire Cross, Mr. & Mrs. E. Flahe; Our Lady of Fatima Statue, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Studer; St. Joseph Statue, Mr. & Mrs. T.J. White; Altar Chimes and Cruets, George Kobel; Communions, Mr. & Mrs. T.J. O’Leary. Through unusually prompt action a new organ was made possible for St. Anthony’s Church permitting the removal of the older one to the Our Lady of Fatima. On December 3, 1954 announcement was made that Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Kempter had donated a side altar in honor of the Blessed Mother in memory of their deceased relatives. The women of the parish worked in cooperation with the St. Anthony’s auction sale committee and garnered $100.00 toward the continued development of the little church. Many men of the church, under the able direction of Ben A. Schirk as chairman, conducted a Fall Collection. The funds were used in the progress also. Timothy J. O’Leary (father of Mrs. Lloyd Hagood and deceased in 1959) and Hugh S. Bryan gave the rectory (l745 Westridge Drive) a face lifting with a new coat of paint. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph J. Gilgan generously donated St. Joseph’s side altar to the church, in memory of deceased members of their families. The Gilgans now reside in Colorado Springs Colorado. Mr. Frank Plemel, a member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius’ Parish in Rock Springs, and father of Mrs. John P. Hunter of the parish, donated toward the pews in memory of the Hunter family. Mrs. Carlo Colibraro and sons, Philip, Daniel and their sister Rose, donated toward the pews in memory of their father and husband. In April, 1955 tile flooring was laid in the church, blue and gold to compliment the drapery in the sanctuary. S.W. Stewart and George Weber of the Weber Floor Covering Co donated the labor. Hugh S. Bryan made and donated a wooden tabernacle, canopy and three prie dieux. The Colibraro boys, then seminarians, covered the kneelers with blue plastic and covered the larger one with white satin. In August 1955 men of the parish, under the supervision of John Haass and Ed Meidling, placed a much-needed sidewalk all around the church. On the west and east sides it is 5’ wide with a 10’ walk on the back and before the entrance. Ryan and Davis of Peter Kiewit Co. removed dirt and made a refill of sand and gravel preparatory to blacktopping a parking area around the church. September 2 the blacktopping was completed . . . by October, 1955, the basement had been completed, refinished from floor to ceiling and a kitchen was in the process of being installed . . . a diligent group of men started in January, 1955 on the basement—William Otis, Mike Grannan, Joe McCarthy, A.J. Tram, Matthew Grannan, Casper Rowse, Larry Hussion, John Fraher, Don Stagg, John Haass, Joe Kasper, George, Mike, Dick and Tom Kasper, and a Mr. Karen. Group statues of Our Lady of Fatima (5’6’ tall), Jacinta and Francisco, (2’7”), Lucy (2’7”), and two lambs were generously donated by an anonymous out-of-town friend of the parish, and were given in appreciation for graces received from Our Blessed Mother. The dedication of these statues was held May 31, 1957 with Bishop Newell leading the procession from the church to the Garden for God, where the statues were placed. Recitation of the Rosary and dedication was held outdoors and Benediction in the Church. Visiting clergy for the occasion were the Monsignori Thomas O’Reilly and James A. Hartmann, Revs. Herbert Kraus, Lawrence Etchingham and Joseph Maroney. J. Jones, Inc. was issued a permit for the remodeling of the church and erection of a campanile on August 29, 1959. The cost was $13,000. Fred Moore & Son Co. did the brick veneering. They donated the brick and work for the chimney and back steps, which was not included in their contract. In the campanile there are three bells, the largest is a 44” lip, and came from the old Church of St. Mathew in Gillette; the next smaller bell is from the old St. Mary Magdalen Church in Worland; the smallest bell was brought by Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Jansen from a ranch in the Big Muddy field at Glenrock. Ken LeClere of Rusco Window Co., installed the stained glass storm windows on the church, with the help of Mike Quealey (who is still the constant guardian of the church grounds). Mr. & Mrs. Jansen gave the windows for the basement of the convent with Mr. LeClere doing the installation when he installed the upstairs windows. Rusco Co. supplied all the storm doors, too, at the convent and rectory, and the labor for their installation was donated. Mr. & Mrs. Mark (Friday) O’Connell have been monetarily generous toward all the building phases of the parish. These, as we said before, are only a few names, as it is hard to mention everyone who was so faithful in the meals and lunches served to the workparties throughout the twice-a-week schedule for the past six years; the cleaning crews who have been ever ready to prepare the church for all special occasions, as well, as the weekly cleaning it requires—the many officers and their board members, down through the memberships to include almost every family of the parish! We are certain that Our Lady of Fatima Parish has been-and will continue to be blessed abundantly! The many communions at each Mass is a sign of the parishioners’ true offering for the Honor and Glory of God. Under the competent leadership of the Misses Shirley Kercher and Shirley Kobel (now, Mrs. Bob York) a choir was begun to compliment the liturgy of the church. They showed their efforts of their many hours of practice at the first Christmas program in 1954. The choir then consisted of Mrs. Madalain Lynch, Mary Christopher, Tommy Ann Eager, Danice Hooker, Shirley Kercher, Shirley Kobel, Mrs. J.P. Hunter (later a director of the children’s choir), Mrs. C.L. Dalgarno, Mrs. S.A. Reimers and Sylvia, Peggy Graf, Catherine Graf, Ann Donohue, Pat Kasper, Nancy Gilgan, Stella Howard, Patricia and Dorothy Howard, Evelyn Downie, Donna Stagg, Beverly Janeaux, Connie Dalgarno, Martha Kallerud, Dick Schirk, Vic Poirer and Barbara McIlroy, organist. Preceding the Midnight Mass the choir sang at intervals the traditional Christmas Carols while the priest and people made the visit to the crib. The new figures for the crib had arrived and made the occasion more heartwarming for many a child and adult. The “Missa de Angelis”, from the Vatican Gradual, transcribed and harmonized by N.A. Montani, was sung at the High Mass and the Offertory hymn was, “Adeste Fideles”, arranged and edited by Montani. The first annual Christmas Party for the “children” of the parish was held December 18, 1955 in the basement of the church. More than 300 parents and children crowded the church auditorium. They all joined in the singing of carols accompanied by Miss McIlroy on the accordian and Mr. Robert Meyers, then adult choir director, led the caroling. Santa was there with the traditional Christmas goodies (that the ladies of St. Mary Magdalen’s Circle had prepared for him). Tim Mahoney, by his portrayal of the well-known gentleman, contributed much to the children’s enjoyment of the party. The spruce trees that had been planted on either side of the church entrance the previous summer, were trimmed with colored lights and at night their glow could be seen far down the Alcova Highway, doing much to lend Christmas cheer to the western approach of the city. Also in 1955 a very special honor was paid the members of the parish when Bishop Newell installed Rev. A.H. Grannan as the first pastor of the parish, March 6. It was the first time in nearly 20 years that such a ceremony had been performed in Casper. Msgr. O’Reilly assisted Bishop Newell and the Knights of Columbus were the honor guards. Looking back in the records we find that the “firsts” include COMMUNION: Miss Donna Jean Stagg of 1640 Westridge Way made her first communion on November 7, 1954. Miss Nancy Gilgan, her neighbor and friend, acted as her attendant and was most instrumental in bringing Donna to receive the sacrament. BAPTISM: One of the first babies to be born in the infant parish was Donna Kay, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ed Balben (the former Marion Campbell), then of 1638 S. Poplar St. She arrived November 23, and was baptized December 12, 1954. Her godparents were Dominick P. Gallello and Shirley Kercher. Fr. Grannan baptized the infant. The first convert to be baptized was Don Hall. The new baptismal font arrived in the week of January 24, 1955 and it was quite fitting and proper that the first time the font was put into use was at the baptism of a convert. Don was baptized January 29, 1955. He received his First Holy Comnionion the following morning. His godparents are Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Bryan, who are also his father and mother-in-law. Don is the son of R.T. and Myrtle Twedt Hall. MARRIAGE: Father Grannan solemnized the wedding of John Louis Sedar to Helen Mary Ortiz on June 25, 1955. DEATH: Mrs. Patricia Peterson, 24-year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Sullivan died March 17, 1956 from complications of a gunshot wound. Under the very attentive instruction of Father Grannan she was admitted back into the church before her death. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS: May 8, 1955, was Mothers day, the traditional day for this event in Our Lady of Fatima Church. The first class numbered 29 and on May 8, 1960 the number was 50. Those in the first class were: Daniel Crawford, Leo Dunn, John Gilgan, Paul Hunter, Jack Kasper, James LaBerge, Jerry Marburger, Steven Van Maren, John McCarthy, Russell Ruttinger, Larry Slaymaker, Dennis Green, Paul Stapleton, James W. Huff, Larry Culver, David Pedry, Richard Blower, Jerry Jacobs, Keith Norcross, Sandra Balben, Jo Anne Clark, Mary Ellen Haass, Alice Jager, Janice Lewallen, Linda Muller, Rosemary Pearce, Karen Prazak, Sharon Tescher and Maureen Ahern. CONFIRMATION: (Combined with St. Anthony’s) May 1, 1955 there were 19, 8 adults, who were confirmed by Bishop Newell at St. Anthony’s Church. Adults: Colonel Erwin Blagg, Mrs. Flora Blower, Donald Lee Hall, Marian Rooth Huff, Barbara Perrett, Patricia Ellen Ruttinger, Mrs. Ellen Ann Ruttinger and Donna Jean Stagg; children: James Patrick Davis, James Michael Schirk, Phyllis Ann Mahoney, James Stafford Smith, Douglas Jerome DeMars, Colleen Ann Cronin, Cornelia Marie Dalgarno, Nancy Stephanie Gilgan, Michael Hugh Taylor, Elizabeth Jean Farmer, and William Francis Cote. The first confirmation class in Our Lady of Fatima Church consisted of 22 being confirmed by Bishop Newell April 8, 1956: Brian J. Clare, John W. Dunn, Alvin T. Eager, James R. Farmer, Robert J. Ford, Barbara J. Goulette, LeRoy Green, Bernice A. Hamilton, Janice M. Houck, Mary J. Hurley, Connie J. Kercher, Helen Kinsella, Melvin R. Moen, Jayne Morton, Jan L. Prazak, Russell Ruttinger, Priscilla Schultz, Cary A. Shafsky, Shirley A. Simeone, Cora A. Tescher, Wm. L. Townsend and Patricia Van Horn. March 27, 1960 there were 40 persons in the confirmation class. There is no question but that Our Lady of Fatima will continue to have Confirmation in its own parish. [Statistical review UNED]*** Father Grannan has continued his fine leadership here at Our Lady of Fatima, adding much to his past accomplishments by the continued vigorous programs of activities for the parishioners. The formation of an Altar & Rosary Society, Holy Name Society, Fatima Youth Organization, Christian Family Movement Groups (2), adult and Junior choirs, a large number of altar boys, Circles and the now forming Confraternity of Christian Doctrine are all stemmed from the enthusiastic leadership of a man that knows only too well the needs of these organizations for the continued success of a parish. The Altar & Rosary Society began one March 17, 1955 with recitation of the Rosary, led by Father Grannan, in the Church. A coffee was the means of the gathering and the inspirational talk by Father began the “wheels” turning in the development of the organization. He appointed a nominating committee and on March 31 the first official meeting was held with a luncheon being served by Mrs. Joe Kasper, Mrs. Paul Kempter (now of Bellevue, Iowa), Mrs. W.G. McNamara, Mrs. B.A. Schirk, Mrs. W.J. Goggin, Mrs. John P. Hunter, Mrs. Tom Ryan and Mrs. James M. Huff to 31 ladies of the parish. Officers elected at this meeting were: president, Mrs. McNamara; Vice-president, Mrs. Schirk; Secretary, Mrs. Huff; Treasurer, Mrs. Harold Purdy. Those who attended the meeting besides the new officers and serving committee were: Mmes. W.E. Longpre, L.E. Hussion, E.A. Beck, E.M. Hooker, J.H. Farmer, A.J. Tram, W.J. Schirk, Casper Rowse, Joe Faulkner, Don Hall, John A. Fraher, N.P. Van Maren, L.R. Green, C.C. King, P.A. Tescher, L.D. Lefevre, Ken Blower, J.F. Dunn, E.C. Balben, Carlo Colibraro, M.W. Downie, W.C. Miley, Joe McCarthy, D.R. Norcross, John J. Pedry, Colonel E. Blagg, Joe Gilgan, H.S. Bryan, and Houston Williams. The Society divided its members into Circles. Every woman of the parish is automatically a member of the A & R and it will continue that way under Father. Grannan. Each Circle chose a chairman and this chairman became a member of the Board. Through these Circles the projects of the parish were scheduled on a monthly basis: each Circle being given a month to serve at the monthly A & R meeting, another month they would have the cleaning of either the rectory or the church (since 1958 they disbanded the rectory cleaning). Many hands began to make light the work that only a few had done for almost three years. An annual bazaar has become the main project of the Society each October—the anniversary month of the parish—as well as the Circles taking their turns in monthly sessions to run the concessions on Monday nights for the Holy Name Society during the winter months and their Bingo games. Each Circle has an annual event they sponsor, thus the means of raising funds for the continuing progress of the parish. Each Circle also has a plot in the Garden for God each summer; this garden surrounds the church parking area. The Holy Name Society of the parish was formally chartered at a meeting held March 3, 1958. Presented by Fr. Grannan, the officers were named: president, James Farmer; vice-president, Ben Schirk; secretary, Ron Tideman; treasurer, John Haass; Marshall, Joe Kasper; Spiritual Moderator, Fr. Grannan. Present at the first meeting were: Leo Smith, Dean Owens, Warren Perkins, Richard McClaskey, Clorence Nollette, James Ryan, John Rees, Carl Grieshaber, Douglas Kincaid, Elmer Jansen, Jim Price, Robert A. Meyer, Lin Meese, Dan Norcross, Wm. Svoboda, Wilfred Longpre, E.V. Dobbins, Paul Kempter, Joe Culver, Cecil Ainsworth, Francis Mullin, Leo Hallock, Tom and Dick Kasper, Wm. Muller, James Herold, N.P. Van Maren, Virgil Smith, John Keeley, Philip Peters, Robert D. Meyers, Anthony Kawulok, Ray Bader, Casper Rowse, Everett Beck and L.D. Lefevre. These men have been instrumental in the workparties and campaigns of the parish (Bishop’s Fund Campaign & Parish Support Appeal). They began the Monday night Bingo games that have brought the project to be the most desired of any in the city! Many of the men and their wives worked together at the painting of the convent workparties. Like all expanding parishes, the need for a parochial school stands first among the “musts”. When the Diocesan Fund Campaign was inaugurated in May 1955, a new rectory was the prime aim of the parish. However, the need for the children was far greater in Fr. Grannan’s eyes than his comforts, so plans began to formulate for the convent, then a school. By February 1959 the convent was plastered at a cost of $4,600.00 with Fred Moore & Son doing the brickwork and fireplace. Volunteers from the parish did most of the concrete work like placing forms, etc., interior work, painting. Doyle’s, Inc. did the plumbing and American Electric Co. the electrical work. They also did the school under the direct supervision of Fr. Grannan. Linoleum Studios supplied labor and material for the convent floors, as well as John Jourgenson Paint Co. Boatright-Smith did the excavations for both school and convent, as well as the back-filling and the grading and graveling of the access road about the grounds. This work could be roughly estimated at $5,000-$6,000. White Sheet Metal donated the work of putting eaves on the church and convent. On July 11, 1959 L.D. Leisinger Construction Co. was awarded the contract for the first of four school buildings (each accommodating 3 large classrooms, 2 restrooms, janitorial room and either office or another classroom) for $38,547.00. A total of $27,532.15 had been spent for new buildings by the end of 1959. Other plans were still on the drawing board to accommodate a housekeeper and assistant pastor in the present rectory, as well as future church, rectory and high school on the 10 acres. On October 5, 1955 the first catechism class for the high school students of the parish met with Father as instructor. By November 1955 the first grade school classes were also a weekly event with the ladies of the parish doing the instructing for the 44 children in the auditorium of the church. Mrs. L.D. Lefevre, Mrs. James H. Herold, Mrs. Wm.A. Muller and Mrs. James Farmer were teachers. In the fall of 1959 the Diocesan Youth held their first meeting in Casper and Our Lady of Fatima parish was among the diocesan parishes to start a Youth Organization. This took care of the teenage groups. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Committee took over the direction of the grade school catechism classes and with the help of the Victory Knoll Sisters—who arrived May 28, 1960—classes for the first two weeks in July with over 159 children enrolled were scheduled. A series of classes to instruct the lay catechist was given by the Sisters also. The new school building had its first “class” June 29, 1960. The first Sisters to occupy the convent were the four Victory Knoll Sisters: Sister Charlotte, Superior, Sister Mary Bernarda, Sister Theodora, and Sister Stephanie. Sister Thomas replaced Sister Theodora on June 28. They took a parish census during their two months stay as well as the two-week catechism classes in July. The school-convent site was blessed on July 13, 1959 at 7:30 p.m. Father Grannan and the acolytes led the Procession to the excavation, where the blessing was given. Rosary was recited before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima then all returned to the church for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For a few highlights: In February 1955 the parish supported the WYOMING CATHOLIC REGISTER subscriptions 100%. The parish consisted of 175 families. This was the first time, since the inauguration of the REGISTER in 1952, that any parish had 100% coverage. To quote from the REGISTER: “What Our Lady of Fatima Parish accomplished is what His Excellency, Bishop Newell, wishes for the entire diocese—namely that every Catholic family in the diocese should be receiving the paper every week. If one parish can have 100% coverage then there are several other parishes capable of doing the same thing.” On the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, August 22, 1955, Sister Mary Carlo, daughter of Mrs. Carlo Colibraro, professed her vows. Her two seminarian brothers, Daniel and Philip were acolytes of the Mass of Profession for the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, in Xavier, Kansas. In October, 1955 the first Forty Hours Devotion was given by the Rev. Cyril Hmelovsky, pastor of St. Mary Magdalen’s Parish, Worland, Wyo. October 9, 10, and 11 the Devotion coincided with the first birthday of the new parish. Clergy present were Msgr. O’Reilly of St. Anthony’s, who was the celebrant at the closing devotions; Father Joseph Maroney, also of St. Anthony’s; Father Hmelovsky; Father Martin Collett, O.F.M.Conv. who was deacon and Father Wm. Bader, O.F.M.Conv., both of Douglas; Father Bartholomew Svete of Hartville and Father McBrien of Lusk. November 1, 1955 was All Saint’s Day and the first evening Mass was held at 5:30 p.m. This Mass time win continue on all Holy Days and First Fridays. May 25, 1956 the newly ordained Father Daniel Colibraro offered his first Solemn Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church. Father Colibraro was the first to be ordained in Casper for the priesthood. His brother, Philip received the sub-diaconate from Bishop Newell at the ceremonies in St. Anthony’s Church. In September 1956 Rev. Wm. Walsh, Servite, and O.S.M. conducting a Mission from September 30 through October 6 celebrated the second anniversary of the parish. On June 1, 1957 Bishop Newell again ordained a Casper boy for the diocesan priesthood at St. Anthony’s Church. Fr. Philip Colibraro received the sacrament of Holy Orders. He said his first Solemn Mass at 9:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church. Rev. Father Staudinger, O.S.B. of Xavier, Kansas conducted the first annual Day of Recollection for the women of the parish on April 2, 1960 and for the men on Passion Sunday, April 3. In this month of June 1960, we are again indebted to the Mother Church, St. Anthony’s, and her priests, Father Lawrence Etchingham and Father Patrick McGovern. They have come to the aide of the Our Lady of Fatima people by attending the parish during the recuperation of Father Grarman, who suffered a severely cut hand June 5. They attended for several weeks while Father James Doudican of Our Lady of the Tetons Church in Jackson, Wyoming said the daily Masses during the first parish two-week summer school. It is indeed significant that this new church, dedicated to the Mother of God during the Marian Year, has received many blessings from Her and Her Divine Son and we continue our prayers in the hope that She and Her Son will watch over those who have the guiding post of this blessed parish in their hands—may they be continually helped by those who have already taken the small part of “assistants” in their daily and weekly tasks of keeping the parish duties in hand so the pastor might be relieved to go about his work in the field of instruction and ministering to the sick, the dying, the newly born and general problems that parishioners seem to place on the broad shoulders of their pastor. We pray that in the next “chapter” we might tell of the coming of an assistant pastor, completion of the other three school units, Sisters occupying the convent, and the school in full use. As the Fathers of the Church so often remind us, the aim of the Blessed Mother co-redemptorist has always been to draw the attention of Her children to Her Divine Son. In a niche left in the entrance of the new school there is a statue of the Sacred Heart with hands extended in blessing donated by the Jansens, which about summarizes the efforts of all who have helped, or are helping or are benefiting from the patronage of their Blessed Mother, the graces coming from on High upon the people of the parish working for the salvation of souls and the greater Honor and Glory of God.
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