In 1971, when Fr. Vincent Dooley arrived,
as pastor, he found this parish seriously shaken by a "rash of set-backs".
In the previous ten years, from 1961-1971,
the parish had lost three pastors -- two, to death -- and one, to early retirement. At the same
time, the parish school had lost its Boys' Department. In addition, the parish community had
witnessed some of the Marist brothers -- as well as Sisters of Charity -- leave their respective
communities for the purpose of returning to the lay state. Obviously, with the combination of
such "distressing" factors, the parish was "crying out" for stability, for direction, and for unity.
Fortunately, Fr. Dooley [ably] brought these three desires, or dreams, to a state of reality.
In the meantime, just one month before
Fr. Dooley began his appointment as pastor, the school had a new principal, Sister Miriam Clare.
By means of a relatively short period of time, she managed to put our school "back on its course"
by means of superb academics, solid religious formation, and intense parish loyalty.
On a broader scale, within the parish-at-large,
further improvements surfaced when Fr. Dooley focused on rebuilding both the parish spirit, and its
financial base. In the latter situation, Ethel Doyle had become the driving force for our weekly
booster club. However, any "extra income" from this source proved to be "inadequate” due to the
growing financial demands of our school stemming -- in no small part -- from the increasing number of lay teachers.
To address this "pressing" situation, Fr. Dooley
sought the efforts of Fr. Martin Igoe by encouraging him to introduce a garish BINGO and a Spring
outdoor Bazaar. Thankfully, both projects resulted in TWO huge" successes - financially, and in the
restoration of a much needed "parish spirit".
During this same period, our parish was also,
richly, blessed to experience the dedication -- and service -- of Sister Patricia Wilson as it's
Liturgy Coordinator. Sr. Pat sensed -- in the person of Fr. Dooley -- the encouraging [and supportive]
leadership that paved the way for the celebration of our Sunday liturgies in a manner [considered to be]
truly festive and alive.
Within two years, [1973] Fr. Thomas Catania
had been assigned to R.A. Fortunately, he had the "magnetic" personality capable of encouraging
parish leaders to "revitalize" the Sports Program and bring it -- once more -- into high gear.
Due to the above accomplishments, the parish
was now moving along quite happily because of its sense of achievement. Along with such developing
potential, the parish community began preparations for a very appropriate celebration - the
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ordination of its pastor emeritus - Fr. Adam Weber. The time was June, 1975.
On the day of this celebration, shortly after the Anniversary Mass had just begun, Fr. Weber -to the
consternation of all -- collapsed at the altar steps. It appears that he suffered a fatal heart attack.
As you can imagine, the shock was numbing, as well as awful. Gradually, however, people collected
themselves and found the strength to share [now] in a Mass for the repose of his soul. Many were
consoled only by the belief that their beloved, Fr. Weber, was now "CELEBRATING HIS GOLDEN JUBILEE WITH THE LORD".
