The parish history for The Church of the Holy Trinity of Cheyenne for the years 1970

The parish history for The Church of the Holy Trinity of Cheyenne for the years 1970 - 1980 follows:

Father Delaney was the Pastor.

1970-1971: The newly formed Parish council began the year with Mr. Paul Walsh as President. He was transferred in mid-year, and Mr. Ed Pivik took over in March 1970. Mrs. Marilyn Reynolds headed the Council of Catholic Women. They did not meet on a regular monthly basis until 1972. The Parish Council met occasionally on Sunday afternoons. Lay Ministers were allowed for the first time. Stained glass windows were installed this year. Girl candle bearers were originated and Helen Pivik coined the name “Candle-eers.” C.C.D. enrollment was 550. A red velvet drape was hung behind the Altar as result of a suggestion by Betty Lewis. Mrs. Ruth Bricker headed a committee to establish guidelines for use of the Parish Hall.

1971-1972: Holy Trinity Parish agreed to subsidize the tuition for children attending St. Mary’s School. Jack Daly was Parish Council President. Miriam Pruter presided over the Council of Catholic Women. Song leaders were started under the tutelage of Sister Delora. Four hundred fifty hymnals were purchased and book holders were attached to the pews. The first Interfaith Service was held on Palm Sunday, 1972. About this time, the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass was dropped because of low attendance. Sister Josephine arrived and taught C.C.D. classes with Sister Marcella.

1972-1973: First Friday Mass at 5:15 p.m. was started. The basement was remodeled to include a nursery. This was done with a $1,000 donation from the Knights of Columbus, who disbanded at this time. The ladies initiated the monthly Parish coffees in September 1973. They also made layettes for Catholic Social Services. Baptism gowns were made and given to new parents. They donated flowers for the Altar. A parish newsletter of one page was begun but did not continue. Mrs. Jan Peyton was Parish Council President, and Mrs. Miriam Pruter was again President of H.T.C.C.W.

Father O’Connor took over as Pastor when Father Delaney moved to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Rock Springs.

1973-1974: Women commentators were proposed. On the death of Walter Schoenberg, R.I.P., Mr. John Daley was appointed Trustee to serve along with Larry Uphoff. In the summer, Father Delaney was sent to Rock Springs, and Father O’Connor came from Lusk to take his place. The reception for Father Delaney’s departure was a huge success and people stood in long lines to bid him Godspeed in his new parish. The ladies hosted a reception for Father O’Connor so the Parish could meet their new Pastor. The parking lot was striped. Father O’Connor asked that the collection envelopes be mailed yearly and that quarterly statements be issued. Holy Trinity Parish started a 5:15 p.m. Mass on Saturday for the convenience of the parishioners. Sister Rose Zita arrived to help Sister Josephine with C.C.D. classes. Father O’Connor consented to build a new organ in its entirety by hand. Mr. Ed Schafer was to build the cabinet to house the organ.

The Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women sponsored a Vietnamese family. The family arrived in Cheyenne with $700. From this money, they bought food, and H.T.C.C.W. paid for the utilities and found them a house. Father O’Connor said the Parish would pay the rent, phone, and lights and all other necessities until they became self-sufficient. They were a fine addition to our Parish and much was learned about another culture. Parish Council President was Art LaCroix and Ruth Taylor headed Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women.

1974-1975: Father O’Connor proposed an addition to the lobby area of the Church. It would include a meeting room, a reconciliation room according to the new Rite of Penance, and a larger vestibule. Parish Council meetings were now held on the second Friday of every month instead of every three months. Father O’Connor initiated a monthly two-page newsletter and also a non-profit stamp to minimize mailing costs. The Council formed a PR Committee to implement this newsletter. It was called The Triune. Parish Council President was Art LaCroix and H.T.C.C.W. President was Martha Whiting.

1975-1976: Plans for the new addition to the Church were shown to the Parish Council. Architect Fred Kellog drew them up. The Council approved the plans, which showed a conference room, reconciliation room, and a new rest room, which would be moved downstairs. The Council approved the addition in April 1976. Cost estimate was $85,000. Jack Katana and the Building Committee took over. The contract for construction of the Church addition was given to Reiman-Worth on December 10, 1976, with the completion date in early summer. On January 29, 1976, Father O’Connor completed the intricate electronic organ. It was dedicated by a special Sacred Concert, attended by local dignitaries, Bishop Newell, and many Wyoming Priests. The non-Catholic guest organist, Mrs. James Rice, was one of the top organists in the city. Under the auspices of the Council of Catholic Women, two buses of people went to Casper to attend the Bicentennial Mass in August 1976. The H.T.C.C.W. President was Betty Rossiter and the Parish Council President was Ray Lansing.

1976-1977: Sisters Josephine and Rose Zita had to vacate their rented house. Father O’Connor proposed to the Council that a house should be purchased for them. After much searching for property and much discussion, it was decided to build a house for the Sisters. Plans for the new house were completed in April 1977. In March 1977, groundwork was begun for the Sister’s Home right beside the C.C.D. Center (which was dedicated in 1969). The Parish Council approved the remodeling of the kitchen in the rectory, including new carpeting, drapes, etc. Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women agreed to allot $1,900 to furnishing the Sister’s House. The Sisters were appointed Eucharistic Ministers. Final payment to Reiman-Worth for the Church addition was made, and Bishop Newell conducted dedication ceremonies. Father O’Connor purchased a conference table for the meeting room. Father O’Connor celebrated his last Mass for Holy Trinity Parishioners on July 3, 1977. He was hospitalized in Denver, and on August 3, 1977, he went to his eternal reward. On Saturday, August 7, an all-night vigil was held in Holy Trinity Church with parishioners taking turns saying the Rosary. His burial Mass was held on August 8, with Bishop Newell, Bishop Hart, and all the Priests of the Diocese. Bishop Newell gave the Eulogy. Father O’Connor is buried in Buncrana, County Donegal, in his native Ireland.

Father Fahey arrived from Newcastle on September 8, 1977. A reception for him was hosted by the Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women on Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18. In conjunction with this, a tour of the Sister’s completed new home was scheduled. Three hundred seventy-five guests signed the book at Father Fahey’s reception, and two hundred nine people viewed the Sister’s House.

A new roof was put on the rectory on September 16, and the kitchen remodeling suggested by the Parish Council was begun. So many parishioners helped with these projects. There is a list of names on file at the rectory. Chiefs among them were Jack Katana, Dan Denning, Harry Underwood, Bill Hogg and his wife Carol. The Triune monthly newsletter was continued by Kathleen Kalasinsky, which was two legal size pages in length and was mailed to parishioners. The number of parishioners, even though this is a transient parish, seems to remain between 800 and 900, and families registering for C.C.D. classes stayed between 500 and 600. The monthly coffees took on new impetus. The Parish Council and Father Fahey decided to continue all of Father O’Connor’s programs. The conference room in the new addition was named the O’Connor Room, and a plaque was placed on the organ in his memory.

Council meetings were held every second Friday as usual. Peter Inniss unveiled new plans for a parking lot. In December 1977, the Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women started special interest groups in the parish, i.e., bridge, crafts, parenting, pinochle, and psychology. An oil painting of Father O’Connor, R.I.P., was hung in the O’Connor Room and was donated by the Parish Council. John Kure began the year as President of the Parish Council, but was transferred almost immediately. Don Foxhoven took over and completed the year. Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women President was Carol Hogg.

1977-1978: Funeral dinners for bereaved families, a tradition in our parish since its inception, were now done on a regular basis without charge. A six-foot cedar fence was installed around the Sister’s house by Harry Underwood and the Men’s Association, with part time help. The kitchen remodeling was progressing but help was needed in many areas, as this was slow tedious work. Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women purchased carts for the Parish Hall so that the large tables could be stacked and stored more easily. They also purchased a microwave oven with proceeds from the Parish Bazaar. Material was bought to make a new monstrance cover. The old monstrance cover was saved and framed. The Parish Council President was Harry Underwood and Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women President was Eileen James. St. Patrick’s Day dance and dinner, which originated in Father O’Connor’s last year, was continued. The Men’s Association held a Monte Carlo Night. The parish picnic was held in July, and the St. Patrick’s Day dinner in March.

1979-1980: The Men’s Association was revitalized with Bob Morris and Frenchie Nollette. In March, the Evangelization Committee of the Parish Council placed pamphlets in city motel rooms depicting a map, Catholic Church phone numbers, addresses, and Mass schedules. Father Fahey hired Timm Sackett as Triune Editor and Parish Facilitator. The name of the newsletter was changed to Triune Telegram. It was folded in two to make a tabloid format and it was lengthened to eight pages. The second Inter Faith Service was held at Holy Trinity on Palm Sunday. It was the largest attendance ever at the citywide affair, and the collection was the most generous, according to the Ministerial Association, who gave the proceeds to the Halfway House and the Teenage Drug Program. The chairs to match the conference table in the O’Connor Room were picked out by Helen and Ed Pivik and pictures of the three Holy Trinity Pastors, Father Delaney, Father O’Connor, R.I.P., and Father Fahey, were placed on the wall.

The kitchen remodeling was completed in January. A crucifix was donated by Josephine Sanders and hung in the Church Hall. A scout troop was formed in March headed by Larry Fulton. Fifteen men volunteered to help. Harry Underwood installed a new public address system. A new clock was put up in the Church Hall. A new sign was erected in front of the Church, which was made by Lee Van Norman, C.Y.O. President. During the summer months, Timm Sackett initiated a bulletin. “Programs for People” went smoothly. The Men’s Association made a large bulletin board for the lobby. Mrs. Sackett started the bookrack in the lobby. C.Y.O. members and Sister Rose Zita took a memorial display for Father O’Connor to Torrington. A tornado struck Cheyenne in July 1979, and three parishioners lost their homes. Food, bedding, clothing and money were distributed to the victims and parishioners opened their homes. Fourteen Eucharistic Ministers were mandated. The Altar was renovated under the direction of Father Fahey; Daleidens of Denver proposed the plans. A Welcoming Risen Christ replaced the Crucified Christ. A new Altar and chairs were installed and a blue and white striped backdrop replaced the red velvet curtain. The carpeting was changed to the blue in the backdrop and covered the entire floor of the Altar. The Altar rails were removed. The center and side aisles were also carpeted.

From 1970 to 1980, Holy Trinity had 568 baptisms, 191 marriages, 659 First Communions, 539 children Confirmations, and 354 adult confirmations. C.C.D. class enrollment fluctuated between 500 and 600 during those years. Present enrollment is 640.

Back to INDEX		The parish history for The Church of the Holy Trinity of Cheyenne for the years 1970 - 1980 follows: Father Delaney was the Pastor. 1970-1971: The newly formed Parish council began the year with Mr. Paul Walsh as President. He was transferred in mid-year, and Mr. Ed Pivik took over in March 1970. Mrs. Marilyn Reynolds headed the Council of Catholic Women. They did not meet on a regular monthly basis until 1972. The Parish Council met occasionally on Sunday afternoons. Lay Ministers were allowed for the first time. Stained glass windows were installed this year. Girl candle bearers were originated and Helen Pivik coined the name “Candle-eers.” C.C.D. enrollment was 550. A red velvet drape was hung behind the Altar as result of a suggestion by Betty Lewis. Mrs. Ruth Bricker headed a committee to establish guidelines for use of the Parish Hall. 1971-1972: Holy Trinity Parish agreed to subsidize the tuition for children attending St. Mary’s School. Jack Daly was Parish Council President. Miriam Pruter presided over the Council of Catholic Women. Song leaders were started under the tutelage of Sister Delora. Four hundred fifty hymnals were purchased and book holders were attached to the pews. The first Interfaith Service was held on Palm Sunday, 1972. About this time, the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass was dropped because of low attendance. Sister Josephine arrived and taught C.C.D. classes with Sister Marcella. 1972-1973: First Friday Mass at 5:15 p.m. was started. The basement was remodeled to include a nursery. This was done with a $1,000 donation from the Knights of Columbus, who disbanded at this time. The ladies initiated the monthly Parish coffees in September 1973. They also made layettes for Catholic Social Services. Baptism gowns were made and given to new parents. They donated flowers for the Altar. A parish newsletter of one page was begun but did not continue. Mrs. Jan Peyton was Parish Council President, and Mrs. Miriam Pruter was again President of H.T.C.C.W. Father O’Connor took over as Pastor when Father Delaney moved to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Rock Springs. 1973-1974: Women commentators were proposed. On the death of Walter Schoenberg, R.I.P., Mr. John Daley was appointed Trustee to serve along with Larry Uphoff. In the summer, Father Delaney was sent to Rock Springs, and Father O’Connor came from Lusk to take his place. The reception for Father Delaney’s departure was a huge success and people stood in long lines to bid him Godspeed in his new parish. The ladies hosted a reception for Father O’Connor so the Parish could meet their new Pastor. The parking lot was striped. Father O’Connor asked that the collection envelopes be mailed yearly and that quarterly statements be issued. Holy Trinity Parish started a 5:15 p.m. Mass on Saturday for the convenience of the parishioners. Sister Rose Zita arrived to help Sister Josephine with C.C.D. classes. Father O’Connor consented to build a new organ in its entirety by hand. Mr. Ed Schafer was to build the cabinet to house the organ. The Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women sponsored a Vietnamese family. The family arrived in Cheyenne with $700. From this money, they bought food, and H.T.C.C.W. paid for the utilities and found them a house. Father O’Connor said the Parish would pay the rent, phone, and lights and all other necessities until they became self-sufficient. They were a fine addition to our Parish and much was learned about another culture. Parish Council President was Art LaCroix and Ruth Taylor headed Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women. 1974-1975: Father O’Connor proposed an addition to the lobby area of the Church. It would include a meeting room, a reconciliation room according to the new Rite of Penance, and a larger vestibule. Parish Council meetings were now held on the second Friday of every month instead of every three months. Father O’Connor initiated a monthly two-page newsletter and also a non-profit stamp to minimize mailing costs. The Council formed a PR Committee to implement this newsletter. It was called The Triune. Parish Council President was Art LaCroix and H.T.C.C.W. President was Martha Whiting. 1975-1976: Plans for the new addition to the Church were shown to the Parish Council. Architect Fred Kellog drew them up. The Council approved the plans, which showed a conference room, reconciliation room, and a new rest room, which would be moved downstairs. The Council approved the addition in April 1976. Cost estimate was $85,000. Jack Katana and the Building Committee took over. The contract for construction of the Church addition was given to Reiman-Worth on December 10, 1976, with the completion date in early summer. On January 29, 1976, Father O’Connor completed the intricate electronic organ. It was dedicated by a special Sacred Concert, attended by local dignitaries, Bishop Newell, and many Wyoming Priests. The non-Catholic guest organist, Mrs. James Rice, was one of the top organists in the city. Under the auspices of the Council of Catholic Women, two buses of people went to Casper to attend the Bicentennial Mass in August 1976. The H.T.C.C.W. President was Betty Rossiter and the Parish Council President was Ray Lansing. 1976-1977: Sisters Josephine and Rose Zita had to vacate their rented house. Father O’Connor proposed to the Council that a house should be purchased for them. After much searching for property and much discussion, it was decided to build a house for the Sisters. Plans for the new house were completed in April 1977. In March 1977, groundwork was begun for the Sister’s Home right beside the C.C.D. Center (which was dedicated in 1969). The Parish Council approved the remodeling of the kitchen in the rectory, including new carpeting, drapes, etc. Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women agreed to allot $1,900 to furnishing the Sister’s House. The Sisters were appointed Eucharistic Ministers. Final payment to Reiman-Worth for the Church addition was made, and Bishop Newell conducted dedication ceremonies. Father O’Connor purchased a conference table for the meeting room. Father O’Connor celebrated his last Mass for Holy Trinity Parishioners on July 3, 1977. He was hospitalized in Denver, and on August 3, 1977, he went to his eternal reward. On Saturday, August 7, an all-night vigil was held in Holy Trinity Church with parishioners taking turns saying the Rosary. His burial Mass was held on August 8, with Bishop Newell, Bishop Hart, and all the Priests of the Diocese. Bishop Newell gave the Eulogy. Father O’Connor is buried in Buncrana, County Donegal, in his native Ireland. Father Fahey arrived from Newcastle on September 8, 1977. A reception for him was hosted by the Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women on Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18. In conjunction with this, a tour of the Sister’s completed new home was scheduled. Three hundred seventy-five guests signed the book at Father Fahey’s reception, and two hundred nine people viewed the Sister’s House. A new roof was put on the rectory on September 16, and the kitchen remodeling suggested by the Parish Council was begun. So many parishioners helped with these projects. There is a list of names on file at the rectory. Chiefs among them were Jack Katana, Dan Denning, Harry Underwood, Bill Hogg and his wife Carol. The Triune monthly newsletter was continued by Kathleen Kalasinsky, which was two legal size pages in length and was mailed to parishioners. The number of parishioners, even though this is a transient parish, seems to remain between 800 and 900, and families registering for C.C.D. classes stayed between 500 and 600. The monthly coffees took on new impetus. The Parish Council and Father Fahey decided to continue all of Father O’Connor’s programs. The conference room in the new addition was named the O’Connor Room, and a plaque was placed on the organ in his memory. Council meetings were held every second Friday as usual. Peter Inniss unveiled new plans for a parking lot. In December 1977, the Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women started special interest groups in the parish, i.e., bridge, crafts, parenting, pinochle, and psychology. An oil painting of Father O’Connor, R.I.P., was hung in the O’Connor Room and was donated by the Parish Council. John Kure began the year as President of the Parish Council, but was transferred almost immediately. Don Foxhoven took over and completed the year. Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women President was Carol Hogg. 1977-1978: Funeral dinners for bereaved families, a tradition in our parish since its inception, were now done on a regular basis without charge. A six-foot cedar fence was installed around the Sister’s house by Harry Underwood and the Men’s Association, with part time help. The kitchen remodeling was progressing but help was needed in many areas, as this was slow tedious work. Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women purchased carts for the Parish Hall so that the large tables could be stacked and stored more easily. They also purchased a microwave oven with proceeds from the Parish Bazaar. Material was bought to make a new monstrance cover. The old monstrance cover was saved and framed. The Parish Council President was Harry Underwood and Holy Trinity Council of Catholic Women President was Eileen James. St. Patrick’s Day dance and dinner, which originated in Father O’Connor’s last year, was continued. The Men’s Association held a Monte Carlo Night. The parish picnic was held in July, and the St. Patrick’s Day dinner in March. 1979-1980: The Men’s Association was revitalized with Bob Morris and Frenchie Nollette. In March, the Evangelization Committee of the Parish Council placed pamphlets in city motel rooms depicting a map, Catholic Church phone numbers, addresses, and Mass schedules. Father Fahey hired Timm Sackett as Triune Editor and Parish Facilitator. The name of the newsletter was changed to Triune Telegram. It was folded in two to make a tabloid format and it was lengthened to eight pages. The second Inter Faith Service was held at Holy Trinity on Palm Sunday. It was the largest attendance ever at the citywide affair, and the collection was the most generous, according to the Ministerial Association, who gave the proceeds to the Halfway House and the Teenage Drug Program. The chairs to match the conference table in the O’Connor Room were picked out by Helen and Ed Pivik and pictures of the three Holy Trinity Pastors, Father Delaney, Father O’Connor, R.I.P., and Father Fahey, were placed on the wall. The kitchen remodeling was completed in January. A crucifix was donated by Josephine Sanders and hung in the Church Hall. A scout troop was formed in March headed by Larry Fulton. Fifteen men volunteered to help. Harry Underwood installed a new public address system. A new clock was put up in the Church Hall. A new sign was erected in front of the Church, which was made by Lee Van Norman, C.Y.O. President. During the summer months, Timm Sackett initiated a bulletin. “Programs for People” went smoothly. The Men’s Association made a large bulletin board for the lobby. Mrs. Sackett started the bookrack in the lobby. C.Y.O. members and Sister Rose Zita took a memorial display for Father O’Connor to Torrington. A tornado struck Cheyenne in July 1979, and three parishioners lost their homes. Food, bedding, clothing and money were distributed to the victims and parishioners opened their homes. Fourteen Eucharistic Ministers were mandated. The Altar was renovated under the direction of Father Fahey; Daleidens of Denver proposed the plans. A Welcoming Risen Christ replaced the Crucified Christ. A new Altar and chairs were installed and a blue and white striped backdrop replaced the red velvet curtain. The carpeting was changed to the blue in the backdrop and covered the entire floor of the Altar. The Altar rails were removed. The center and side aisles were also carpeted. From 1970 to 1980, Holy Trinity had 568 baptisms, 191 marriages, 659 First Communions, 539 children Confirmations, and 354 adult confirmations. C.C.D. class enrollment fluctuated between 500 and 600 during those years. Present enrollment is 640. Back to Top