|
It has been quite a journey...one faith-filled and full of hard work and anticipation. We can only now imagine what the original founders of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish set out to accomplish back in 1945.
Having just lived through and witnessed the end of World War II, they were ready to begin a new life and became part of the great boom in home building and family growth. This movement materialized in what is now known as Kenwood, Ohio. Up to 1946, these Catholic families, in Kenwood, were within the boundaries of three parishes: St. John the Evangelist in Deer Park, St. Gertrude in Maderia, and St. Anthony in Madisonville. With the growing number of families and the distance many traveled to attend Mass, Archbishop John T. McNicholas O.P. appointed the Rev. Norbert J. Miller as administrator of a new parish to accommodate the spiritual needs of the Catholic people in Kenwood. |
|
With the generosity of the public school board offering the neighboring Concord School Gymnasium at Montgomery and Keller Roads and the ingenuity of Fr. Miller, the first Mass of the new parish was celebrated on Sunday, March 17, 1946, at 10:30 A.M.. A second Mass was offered at Noon the same day, which became the regular Sunday Mass schedule and accommodated about 175 families.
What was started over 57 years ago has become St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. This thriving parish is continually growing, serving our parish community, and working to meet the needs of many. During the first 10 years of the parish's existence, there was a myriad of things to be done and organized. Men's and women's groups were organized, and from the very beginning, a clear vision emerged to serve the community at large.
During those first 10 years, there was a need and push to provide quality education to the children of the parish. After the building of what is now our community building, contact was made with the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, to send teachers and help staff a school. From the 150 families in 1945, the parish numbered 450 families in 1955. The number of children in school increased from 51 to 339 under the supervision of five Dominican Sisters and two lay teachers.
What was started over 57 years ago has become St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. This thriving parish is continually growing, serving our parish community, and working to meet the needs of many. During the first 10 years of the parish's existence, there was a myriad of things to be done and organized. Men's and women's groups were organized, and from the very beginning, a clear vision emerged to serve the community at large.
During those first 10 years, there was a need and push to provide quality education to the children of the parish. After the building of what is now our community building, contact was made with the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, to send teachers and help staff a school. From the 150 families in 1945, the parish numbered 450 families in 1955. The number of children in school increased from 51 to 339 under the supervision of five Dominican Sisters and two lay teachers.
|
After much discernment and careful planning, a building committee was formed, and on November 9th, 1958, ground was broken, and the "new school" was underway. Due to a very hard winter, construction was delayed, but the new school was dedicated on June 14th, 1959. Bishop Paul F. Leibold, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, laid the cornerstone for the new St. Vincent Ferrer School.
|
For these early parishioners, "it was the consummation of many sacrifices and actual physical labor from the souls and bodies of the people of St. Vincent's." Words that were written into St. Vincent Ferrer's history read, "...but years of toil and effort gave the community a monument indestructible...to the faith of a parish filled with members who believe and have put into practice their firm duty...prime to parents and the Catholic ideal...the education, both spiritual and intellectual, of its children."
As we reflect on the changes throughout history that St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and School experienced and compare those experiences to the parish and school we have today, our community is still growing and building on those same ideals. We have built a Church, Parish Center, and School that continue to be enhanced. Some of the materials and tools may be different, and the cost is quite different from the early days. However, the sacrifice and the commitment have not changed. We are St. Vincent Ferrer Parish... and we work to take the hand of Christ and walk with faith as a community.
As we reflect on the changes throughout history that St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and School experienced and compare those experiences to the parish and school we have today, our community is still growing and building on those same ideals. We have built a Church, Parish Center, and School that continue to be enhanced. Some of the materials and tools may be different, and the cost is quite different from the early days. However, the sacrifice and the commitment have not changed. We are St. Vincent Ferrer Parish... and we work to take the hand of Christ and walk with faith as a community.
|
Many, many people have contributed to the creation, building, and growth of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and School. Since December of 1998, our Faith Community has been involved in developing a long-range facility plan for St. Vincent Ferrer School and Parish. We continue to recognize and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of our community so we can share and accomplish our hopes for the future.
|
|
In December 1999, Dick Haglage and the Parish Pastoral Council asked for volunteers to serve on a committee to plan for the future facility needs of our Parish. With a committee of 15 parishioners in place, chaired by Mr. Jack Pflum, a full review of the current facilities began. The purpose of the committee was to ensure that the listening sessions were properly considered and that a reasonable, rational, and implementable program of physical improvements was identified. Secondly, the committee was to set priorities which would be consistent with the intent of the listening sessions, the Pastoral Council, the Pastoral Staff, and financially attainable for the Parish.
Architects were hired, plans developed, contracts were bid, Beischel Construction was hired, and hours and hours of planning took place. The Facility Committee evolved into the bi-monthly owners' meetings led by Ernie Zimmer and Andy Lorenz. Parish staff closely supervised the project with Principal Blane Collison leading the school efforts and Fr. Terry Hamilton and Jim Dunn following the parish investments.
|
Many gifts and talents have been bestowed upon St. Vincent Ferrer during this project: Parishioner Dan Frank and the landscaping crew; Pat Connor and his great maintenance staff; Tom Hughes and the Parish Pastoral Council; and, perhaps most of all, our entire parish community. From the very beginning, there was no lack of support, volunteers, and special services. We are grateful for the blessings bestowed on our parish and school.
|
It is due to the founders of St. Vincent Ferrer, who started from the ground up over 65 years ago, and our ever-growing community of gracious parishioners that we can continue to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our parish and school. Traditions that began over 65 years ago continue to bless our community and have left us with opportunities to build on the foundation they laid, providing quality education —both spiritual and academic —to our parish and the surrounding community.