HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH 1960-1970

HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH
1960-1970

PRIEST APPOINTMENTS
1960 Rev. James Ruddy
1962 Rev. James Ruddy took a year’s leave of absence
1962 Rev. James O’Neill was named administrator of St. Joseph’s Parish
1964 Rev. James O’Neill was appointed to St. Mary’s Cathedral and
Rev. Cyril Hmelovsky was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s
Rev. Daniel Colibraro was appointed assistant to St. Joseph’s
1965 Rev. Cyril Hmelovsky was appointed pastor of Worland
Rev. John J. Corrigan was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s
Rev. Daniel Colibraro was appointed assistant
1967 Rev. John Murray was appointed assistant of St. Joseph’s and editor of the Wyoming Register
1968 Rev. Matthew Benko of Latrobe, Pa., replaced Rev. John Murray who was appointed pastor in Pinedale

Jan. 12, 1960 A meeting of the Trustees of the Church of St. Joseph was held in the rectory at 317 East 7th St. The first order of business was to re-elect John E. Waters as secretary of said corporation and Carl Christensen, Treasurer of the corporation. Those present were John E. Waters, Carl Christensen, Rev. James Ruddy, pastor, and Rev. Daniel Colibraro acting as proxy for His Excellency Bishop Hubert M. Newell and Rt. Rev. Thomas O’Reilly, V.G.
Aug, 1, 1960 A special meeting of the corporation of St. Joseph’s Church was held. Present were Rev. James Ruddy, Pastor, Rev. Gerald Chleborad, acting as proxy for His Excellency, Hubert M. Newell and the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas O’Reilly, V.G., Carl Christensen and J.E. Waters.
On a motion made by the Rev. James Ruddy, seconded by J.E. Waters, the corporation was authorized to spend the sum of $60,300.00 for alterations and improvements to St. Joseph’s Church.
The officers of the corporation unanimously approved a motion authorizing Bishop Newell, the president of the corporation, to execute and sign a contract with Garton and Garton Construction Company for the said sum. The officers of the corporation unanimously authorized Rev. James Ruddy, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church to borrow whatever sum of money was to be necessary to meet the obligation.
Sept. 12, 1961 A special meeting was held of the corporation of St. Joseph’s to authorize and approve a loan to be made by the parish, for the sum of eight thousand dollars from the church of St. Mary Magdalen, Evanston, Wyo.
Jan. 4, 1964 The annual meeting of the Trustees of the corporation of St. Joseph’s was held in the church rectory to elect new officers. Unanimously elected were Vaughn Ditzler, Treasurer, and Joseph Kishman, Secretary for the corporation, to replace Carl Christensen and John Waters.
March 7, 1966 A meeting of the Corporation of the Church of St. Joseph’s was held at the rectory. The purpose of the meeting was to approve the purchase of property adjacent to present rectory known as and recorded as “East 44 feet of Lot 1, in Block 624 in the City of Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming.” The purchase price was paid to Mrs. Mary Kovacheff, owner. The property was purchased as a site for further expansion to parish building.
Sept. 9, 1966 The Neddeau property adjacent to the Catechetical Center was purchased for the sum of $6,000,00.
June 7, 1967 A meeting of St. Joseph’s Corporation was held to re-elect the trustees of the corporation. The trustees reelected were Vaughn Ditzler and Joseph Kishman. Rev. John Murray was proxy for Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell and Rt. Rev. Thomas O’Reilly.
June 1, 1969 A meeting of the Corporation of the Church of St. Joseph was held at the rectory. The purpose of the meeting was to reelect the trustees of the corporation whose terms of office expired. Vaughn Ditzler and Joseph Kishman were reelected for another two years to June 7, 1971. Present were Rev. John J. Corrigan, Pastor, Vaughn Ditaler, Joseph Kishman, Rev. John Murray, proxy for Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell and Rt. Rev. Thomas O’Reilly.

CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.
May 1, 1960
95 children received First Communion.
May 31, 1960
The Sisters from St. Joseph’s taught Religious Vacation School in Gillette.
June 20, 1960
The Sisters from St. Joseph’s started census work in Sheridan; also had three CCD training courses for adults.
Sept. 28, 1961
CCD Priests’ Institute was held in Rawlins. Sister Mary Evelyn of St. Joseph’s spoke on the need of well-trained teachers. Sister Angeline gave a demonstration class.
April 1, 1962
92 children received First Communion.
May 13, 1962
49 children and 14 adults received Confirmation.
July 1, 1962
Sisters from St. Joseph’s conducted a vacation school and census work in Saratoga.
November 1962
A Day of Recollection was held for CCD teachers. Father Fahey conducted the retreat.
March 24, 1963
111 children received First Communion.
May 12, 1963
93 children and 17 adults received Confirmation.
August 1, 1963
The Sisters from St. Joseph’s made a Cursillo.
September 1964
N.C.C.W had a vocation day. Sisters from St. Joseph’s were on the panel.
March 8, 1964
115 received First Communion.
April 17, 1964
Mother Florentine, Superior General, came for Visitation.
April 22, 1964
A High School Day of Recollection was conducted. A Maryknoll priest conducted the retreat.
May 4, 1964
84 children were confirmed by Bishop Newell.
Jan. 1965
Five workshops were held during the week which involved more than 600 priests, Religious, and laity in every section of the State. This was the first series e£ workshops which were held in the five Deaneries of the Cheyenne Diocese. The Prelate expressed himself as “deeply pleased with the presence of so many priests, Sisters and lay representatives from practically every parish of the Diocese.” The following toured the State and had CCD workshops: Father Logue, Diane Porter, Mrs. John Demmer, Father Russel Neighbors from the National CCD Office, Father Blaze Bonpane from Denver, and Sister Mary Evelyn from St. Joseph’s. Cheyenne.
Jan. 17, 1965
C.C.D. Workshop for all Cheyenne Deanery parishioners was held at St. Mary’s.
Sept. 21, 1965
A class in Methods and Doctrine for Teachers and Helpers was started.
Feb. 2, 1967
A Teacher Training Course in Methods and Doctrine was held in St. Joseph’s Catechetical Center.
March 7, 1967
A Spring Series of Informal Religious Lectures for Adults of Cheyenne Parishes was held at St. Mary’s High School Library.
Sept. 4, 1967
Bishop Newell and Sisters met at St. Joseph’s Convent to plan a new CCD program where one Sister, a priest. and two lay people would be in charge of the CCD in each Deanery. They would meet together bi-annually to make plans for the program.
May 1969
Mr. Joe Velasquez was appointed Co-coordinator for the CCD program of the three parishes, St. Joseph’s, Holy Trinity, and St. Mary’s.
Sept. 1969
The pastors and Coordinators of the three parishes met together to discuss the budget that would be allotted for the Unity CCD Program both for High School and Grade School. The Parish Coordinators appointed were: Sister Beatrice of St. Joseph’s, Pat Flaim of St. Mary’s, and Sister Theresa of Holy Trinity.
September 1969
A new formation program was started whereby novices of the Order of Missionary Sisters could be missioned in one of the convents in place of the Motherhouse at Victory Noll as formerly. Sister Diega was appointed to St. Joseph’s in Cheyenne.
Dec. 1969
An evaluation was made of the Unity CCD Program. All seemed to approve that a tri-parish program had its advantages and should continue.
March 1970
Teachers from all three parishes in Cheyenne attended the Mile Hi CCD Convention in Denver

SISTERS’ AFFAIRS
ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH
May 26, 1960
A Golden Jubilee Celebration was held for Sister Petronilla, O.S.F., and Sister Rose Francis, O.P. 61 Sisters attended.
May 25, 1962
Sisters from St. Joseph’s Parish started working with Father James O’Council C.S.S.R. in Torrington with the migrants. It was rugged but effective. They returned on June 28th. Each year up to the present four Sisters have been working with Father O’Connell in the migrant program.
March 13, 1962
Father John J. Sigstein, founder of the Victory Noll Sisters died at Victory Noll, Huntington Ind.
March 31, 1962
Vocation Day and Exhibit was held. Sr. Dolores Balch, O.L.V.M., spoke on Victory Noll Sisters.
July 24, 1962
Bishop Newell, Dominican Sisters from St. Mary’s, Franciscan Sisters, Charity Sisters from DePaul came to St. Joseph’s to celebrate the new change in the Franciscan habit.
Sept. 15, 1964
A Cow-Boy Patio Barbeque picnic was held at St. Joseph’s. All the Sisters from Cheyenne were invited. Mr. & Mrs. Walter Murphy supplied the western scenery for the patio, including bales of hay, harnesses, ox head, etc.
Oct. 6, 1966
Sister Beatrice and Sister Mary Magdalen went to Rock Springs with the CYO for the State Convention.
Feb. 1, 1967
Bishop Newell offered Mass in the newly remodeled Chapel in St. Joseph’s Convent. Dinner followed with the three Franciscan Sisters present. Father Corrigan, Father Murray, Sister Hildegard, Sister Mary Magdalen, and Sister Beatrice.
September 1967
Back to School Get-Together for all the Sisters in Cheyenne Deanery was held at St. Mary’s.
August 1969
Sister Jeanette was appointed as Area Coordinator of the Mountain States Area: Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Sister is to visit the area regularly.

YEARLY APPOINTMENTS
MISSIONARY SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF VICTORY
St. Joseph’s Convent
314 East 6th Street
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

Aug. 15, 1960 ;
Sister Mary Evelyn
Sister Dorothy
Sister Angeline
Aug. 15, 1961
Sister Mary Evelyn
Sister Dorothy
Sister Angeline
Aug. 15, 1962
Sister Mary Evelyn
Sister Genevieve (up to Oct. 20, then replaced by Sister Mary Ann)
Sister Angeline
Aug. 15, 1963
Sister Mary Evelyn
Sister Mary Ann
Sister Chrysostom
Aug. 15, 1965
Sister Beatrice
Sister Mary Magdalen
Sister Mary Ann
Aug. 15, 1966
Sister Beatrice
Sister Mary Magdalen
Sister Hildegard
Aug. 15, 1968
Sister Beatrice
Sister Hildegard
Sister Denise
Aug. 15, 1969
Sister Beatrice
Sister Hildegard
Sister Denise
Sister Diega (Formation Program)

Back to INDEX		HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH 1960-1970 PRIEST APPOINTMENTS 1960 Rev. James Ruddy 1962 Rev. James Ruddy took a year’s leave of absence 1962 Rev. James O’Neill was named administrator of St. Joseph’s Parish 1964 Rev. James O’Neill was appointed to St. Mary’s Cathedral and Rev. Cyril Hmelovsky was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s Rev. Daniel Colibraro was appointed assistant to St. Joseph’s 1965 Rev. Cyril Hmelovsky was appointed pastor of Worland Rev. John J. Corrigan was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s Rev. Daniel Colibraro was appointed assistant 1967 Rev. John Murray was appointed assistant of St. Joseph’s and editor of the Wyoming Register 1968 Rev. Matthew Benko of Latrobe, Pa., replaced Rev. John Murray who was appointed pastor in Pinedale Jan. 12, 1960 A meeting of the Trustees of the Church of St. Joseph was held in the rectory at 317 East 7th St. The first order of business was to re-elect John E. Waters as secretary of said corporation and Carl Christensen, Treasurer of the corporation. Those present were John E. Waters, Carl Christensen, Rev. James Ruddy, pastor, and Rev. Daniel Colibraro acting as proxy for His Excellency Bishop Hubert M. Newell and Rt. Rev. Thomas O’Reilly, V.G. Aug, 1, 1960 A special meeting of the corporation of St. Joseph’s Church was held. Present were Rev. James Ruddy, Pastor, Rev. Gerald Chleborad, acting as proxy for His Excellency, Hubert M. Newell and the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas O’Reilly, V.G., Carl Christensen and J.E. Waters. On a motion made by the Rev. James Ruddy, seconded by J.E. Waters, the corporation was authorized to spend the sum of $60,300.00 for alterations and improvements to St. Joseph’s Church. The officers of the corporation unanimously approved a motion authorizing Bishop Newell, the president of the corporation, to execute and sign a contract with Garton and Garton Construction Company for the said sum. The officers of the corporation unanimously authorized Rev. James Ruddy, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church to borrow whatever sum of money was to be necessary to meet the obligation. Sept. 12, 1961 A special meeting was held of the corporation of St. Joseph’s to authorize and approve a loan to be made by the parish, for the sum of eight thousand dollars from the church of St. Mary Magdalen, Evanston, Wyo. Jan. 4, 1964 The annual meeting of the Trustees of the corporation of St. Joseph’s was held in the church rectory to elect new officers. Unanimously elected were Vaughn Ditzler, Treasurer, and Joseph Kishman, Secretary for the corporation, to replace Carl Christensen and John Waters. March 7, 1966 A meeting of the Corporation of the Church of St. Joseph’s was held at the rectory. The purpose of the meeting was to approve the purchase of property adjacent to present rectory known as and recorded as “East 44 feet of Lot 1, in Block 624 in the City of Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming.” The purchase price was paid to Mrs. Mary Kovacheff, owner. The property was purchased as a site for further expansion to parish building. Sept. 9, 1966 The Neddeau property adjacent to the Catechetical Center was purchased for the sum of $6,000,00. June 7, 1967 A meeting of St. Joseph’s Corporation was held to re-elect the trustees of the corporation. The trustees reelected were Vaughn Ditzler and Joseph Kishman. Rev. John Murray was proxy for Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell and Rt. Rev. Thomas O’Reilly. June 1, 1969 A meeting of the Corporation of the Church of St. Joseph was held at the rectory. The purpose of the meeting was to reelect the trustees of the corporation whose terms of office expired. Vaughn Ditzler and Joseph Kishman were reelected for another two years to June 7, 1971. Present were Rev. John J. Corrigan, Pastor, Vaughn Ditaler, Joseph Kishman, Rev. John Murray, proxy for Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell and Rt. Rev. Thomas O’Reilly. CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. May 1, 1960 95 children received First Communion. May 31, 1960 The Sisters from St. Joseph’s taught Religious Vacation School in Gillette. June 20, 1960 The Sisters from St. Joseph’s started census work in Sheridan; also had three CCD training courses for adults. Sept. 28, 1961 CCD Priests’ Institute was held in Rawlins. Sister Mary Evelyn of St. Joseph’s spoke on the need of well-trained teachers. Sister Angeline gave a demonstration class. April 1, 1962 92 children received First Communion. May 13, 1962 49 children and 14 adults received Confirmation. July 1, 1962 Sisters from St. Joseph’s conducted a vacation school and census work in Saratoga. November 1962 A Day of Recollection was held for CCD teachers. Father Fahey conducted the retreat. March 24, 1963 111 children received First Communion. May 12, 1963 93 children and 17 adults received Confirmation. August 1, 1963 The Sisters from St. Joseph’s made a Cursillo. September 1964 N.C.C.W had a vocation day. Sisters from St. Joseph’s were on the panel. March 8, 1964 115 received First Communion. April 17, 1964 Mother Florentine, Superior General, came for Visitation. April 22, 1964 A High School Day of Recollection was conducted. A Maryknoll priest conducted the retreat. May 4, 1964 84 children were confirmed by Bishop Newell. Jan. 1965 Five workshops were held during the week which involved more than 600 priests, Religious, and laity in every section of the State. This was the first series e£ workshops which were held in the five Deaneries of the Cheyenne Diocese. The Prelate expressed himself as “deeply pleased with the presence of so many priests, Sisters and lay representatives from practically every parish of the Diocese.” The following toured the State and had CCD workshops: Father Logue, Diane Porter, Mrs. John Demmer, Father Russel Neighbors from the National CCD Office, Father Blaze Bonpane from Denver, and Sister Mary Evelyn from St. Joseph’s. Cheyenne. Jan. 17, 1965 C.C.D. Workshop for all Cheyenne Deanery parishioners was held at St. Mary’s. Sept. 21, 1965 A class in Methods and Doctrine for Teachers and Helpers was started. Feb. 2, 1967 A Teacher Training Course in Methods and Doctrine was held in St. Joseph’s Catechetical Center. March 7, 1967 A Spring Series of Informal Religious Lectures for Adults of Cheyenne Parishes was held at St. Mary’s High School Library. Sept. 4, 1967 Bishop Newell and Sisters met at St. Joseph’s Convent to plan a new CCD program where one Sister, a priest. and two lay people would be in charge of the CCD in each Deanery. They would meet together bi-annually to make plans for the program. May 1969 Mr. Joe Velasquez was appointed Co-coordinator for the CCD program of the three parishes, St. Joseph’s, Holy Trinity, and St. Mary’s. Sept. 1969 The pastors and Coordinators of the three parishes met together to discuss the budget that would be allotted for the Unity CCD Program both for High School and Grade School. The Parish Coordinators appointed were: Sister Beatrice of St. Joseph’s, Pat Flaim of St. Mary’s, and Sister Theresa of Holy Trinity. September 1969 A new formation program was started whereby novices of the Order of Missionary Sisters could be missioned in one of the convents in place of the Motherhouse at Victory Noll as formerly. Sister Diega was appointed to St. Joseph’s in Cheyenne. Dec. 1969 An evaluation was made of the Unity CCD Program. All seemed to approve that a tri-parish program had its advantages and should continue. March 1970 Teachers from all three parishes in Cheyenne attended the Mile Hi CCD Convention in Denver SISTERS’ AFFAIRS ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH May 26, 1960 A Golden Jubilee Celebration was held for Sister Petronilla, O.S.F., and Sister Rose Francis, O.P. 61 Sisters attended. May 25, 1962 Sisters from St. Joseph’s Parish started working with Father James O’Council C.S.S.R. in Torrington with the migrants. It was rugged but effective. They returned on June 28th. Each year up to the present four Sisters have been working with Father O’Connell in the migrant program. March 13, 1962 Father John J. Sigstein, founder of the Victory Noll Sisters died at Victory Noll, Huntington Ind. March 31, 1962 Vocation Day and Exhibit was held. Sr. Dolores Balch, O.L.V.M., spoke on Victory Noll Sisters. July 24, 1962 Bishop Newell, Dominican Sisters from St. Mary’s, Franciscan Sisters, Charity Sisters from DePaul came to St. Joseph’s to celebrate the new change in the Franciscan habit. Sept. 15, 1964 A Cow-Boy Patio Barbeque picnic was held at St. Joseph’s. All the Sisters from Cheyenne were invited. Mr. & Mrs. Walter Murphy supplied the western scenery for the patio, including bales of hay, harnesses, ox head, etc. Oct. 6, 1966 Sister Beatrice and Sister Mary Magdalen went to Rock Springs with the CYO for the State Convention. Feb. 1, 1967 Bishop Newell offered Mass in the newly remodeled Chapel in St. Joseph’s Convent. Dinner followed with the three Franciscan Sisters present. Father Corrigan, Father Murray, Sister Hildegard, Sister Mary Magdalen, and Sister Beatrice. September 1967 Back to School Get-Together for all the Sisters in Cheyenne Deanery was held at St. Mary’s. August 1969 Sister Jeanette was appointed as Area Coordinator of the Mountain States Area: Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Sister is to visit the area regularly. YEARLY APPOINTMENTS MISSIONARY SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF VICTORY St. Joseph’s Convent 314 East 6th Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 Aug. 15, 1960 ; Sister Mary Evelyn Sister Dorothy Sister Angeline Aug. 15, 1961 Sister Mary Evelyn Sister Dorothy Sister Angeline Aug. 15, 1962 Sister Mary Evelyn Sister Genevieve (up to Oct. 20, then replaced by Sister Mary Ann) Sister Angeline Aug. 15, 1963 Sister Mary Evelyn Sister Mary Ann Sister Chrysostom Aug. 15, 1965 Sister Beatrice Sister Mary Magdalen Sister Mary Ann Aug. 15, 1966 Sister Beatrice Sister Mary Magdalen Sister Hildegard Aug. 15, 1968 Sister Beatrice Sister Hildegard Sister Denise Aug. 15, 1969 Sister Beatrice Sister Hildegard Sister Denise Sister Diega (Formation Program) Back to Top