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Our Lady of Fatima
Casper 1980-1990
Shelby Loftus, CCW President

1. Names of clergy & religious serving during the decade and dates of service:

Father Daniel Colibraro: June 1977 - present
Father Gerry Sullivan: July 1978 - June 1981
Father Terry Hruska: Jan 1987 - Jan 1988
Father Joseph Hebert: Aug 1989 - May 1990
Father Philip Colibraro: July 1990 - present

Sister Mary Carlo [Carol]: June 1988 - present

Father Alphonsus Grannan assisted at masses until his death May 11, 1986.

2. Notable accomplishments by lay leaders and parishioners: (give dates)

1981 Carl Gallinger left to study for priesthood.
1981 Terri O’Brien won as top performer in “Stars of Tomorrow” contest.
1983 Chad Ripperger left to study for priesthood.
1984 Lori Woitaszewski named Casper College Honoree.
1985 $1500 collected by parishioners for Cheyenne flood victims.
1985 Lisa Archibeque named Miss Teen America.
1985 Greg Kapeles is state winner in National Greeting Card Contest.
1987 Rich Gasowski had two articles published in Police Journal.
1989 Brenda Farmer received the Horatio Algier Award, which included a trip to Washington D.C.

3. Notable accomplishments by the clergy and religious during the decade: (give dates)

May 1981 - Father Dan Colibraro celebrates his 25th anniversary of Ordination with a special Mass and reception.
June 1988 - Sister Mary Carlo began the Caring Ministry program, which includes hospital and nursing home visitation, providing rides and meals for the sick.
1989 - Sister Mary Carlo began AIDS Ministry Team.
March 1989 & March 1990 - A Morning of Reflection was held, with talks, reflection time, and small-group sharing.
November 1990 - Sister Mary Carlo began two programs: Prayer Ministry and Telephone Reassurance Program.
Father Dan Colibraro began annual adult education classes.

4. Construction - new or remodeling: (give dates)

1981 - Paneling, altar table, lecterns and new carpet installed in sanctuary.
1982 - Fatima Parish Hall (basement of church) completely remodeled and new equipment purchased.
1983 - New windows installed in school.
1984 - Drop-In Center basement remodeled for young adults.
1984 - Holy Name Society put split-rail fence around church property.
1986 - Holy Name Society repaired the church bells.
May 1987 - Father Grannan’s Memorial Stone was placed in the Grotto.
November 1988 - New hymnal holders installed in pews.
November 1989 - Elevator installed in main church building.
Summer 1990 - Two rooms in school remodeled.

5. Land acquisitions: (give dates)
None
6. Lay Trustees and term of service for each:
Ray Charles - 1977 to present
Lorin Lefevre - 1977 to present

7. Pastor’s overview of the decade:
The past decade has been one in which there has been steady growth in parish activities. Most significant has been the development of the youth program under the direction of James Zierden and the adults of the parish. Mr. Zierden has enjoyed a good deal of success in engaging the adults to participate in the youth program.

The music, liturgy, and art and environment staffs have done outstanding work. Of the past three years the Caring Ministry program has made great strides in reaching out to and aiding the elderly, particularly in bringing the Eucharist to shut-ins.

8. Significant Parish events and programs: (give dates)
1981 - An evangelistic mission was held. Father Czaja was the priest evangelist.

1981 - Children put on special liturgy, a “Snoopy” Mass, for Father Dan’s 25th Anniversary of Ordination, with a reception following.

October 1981 - Father Dan performed the first Blessing of Animals, which still occurs yearly.

1982 & 1983 - Fatima Family Olympics was held in the summer sponsored by Confirmation students and adult parishioners.

1983 - Jim Zierden, Youth Minister, started many Junior and Senior High youth activities: retreats, lock-ins, Bible studies, youth group meetings and trips. The youth had many fund-raisers to support the program. He involved many adults as chaperons and sponsors.

1984 - Youth Drop-In Center, located in basement of cottage, was begun by Youth Minister Jim Zierden.

1985 - Holy Name Society began serving Mexican dinners to benefit Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy. Dinners continue.

1985 - CCW Bake Sale aids Holy Name Society with their food baskets for needy at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Event continues.

1985 - A new religious education program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, started. This program offers hands-on lessons and encourages spontaneous prayer. The program now covers preschool through first grade.

1987 - CCW ladies compiled a Centennial Cookbook to be sold at WCCW convention, which we hosted.

July 1987 - Father Grannan’s Memorial and OLF statue were blessed, which was followed by a Fatima Festival including a Fatima History Room.

September 1987 - Fellowship time, with coffee and donuts, was begun and continues.

November 1987 - Father Farrell, O.P., led a Five-day Mission.

December 1988 - Toys, donated by parishioners, were given to needy children at Christmas

December 1988 - Children of OLF collected two large baskets full of soap, shampoo, deodorants during the Children’s Mass to give to Holy Cross brothers.

December 1988 - The “60 Something Dinner” was given for parishioners 60 plus by the Senior High Youth group and is an annual event.

May 1988 - OLF held Open House for new library, located in the Education Center basement.

November 1989 - Thanksgiving Mass given by Father Carl Gallinger, following his Mass of Ordination.

1990 - CCW sponsored one needy Natrona County child in an insurance Caring Program sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company.

February 1990 - A Time and Talent Program initiated - an appeal to parishioners to share responsibility in Lay Ministry.

September 1990 - Aging Process Seminar held.

May 1990 - The Pilgrim Virgin Home Visitation program was started by purchase of the International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima by CCW.

May 1990 - “Aging Parents” video by Dr. Richard Johnson was shown.

Annual Events:
Children’s Christmas Liturgy on Christmas Eve.
Celebrations: birthdays; anniversaries of Ordinations; farewells; receptions for new clergy, staff and newcomers.
General cleaning of church by CCW.
General grounds clean up by Holy Name Society.
Food collected every fourth Sunday for Holy Cross Brothers.

 

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