Memories of Holy Name Church
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October 3, 2024Msgr. Douglas Fater kindly shared a letter from Fr. Donnell Kirchner that was tucked inside a booklet printed in 1992 for the 75th anniversary of the Redemptorists serving at Holy Name Parish in Omaha, which fostered many religious vocations – priests, bishops and religious sisters. Fr. Don succinctly captured not only spirit of the parishioners, but also the human perspective of a seminarian and his relationship to his family back home, as well as his activities and relationships in the seminary.Many will identify with his sentiments. Wirt and Bedford, Fontenelle Park and the Field House may seem long ago and far away, but as memories, they are as alive and real as last week’s events.
Growing up at 3115 N. 48th in the late 1940s and early 1950s, just a few blocks from Holy Name, has left its lasting mark on me as it has for so many others. Daily Mass. Basketball games with the Deckers and the three H’s. Sneaking into Benson’s Field to hope that we would beat Cathedral or playing tag on the old ball field, which dedicated itself to becoming the new church. Servite Sisters in long robes and hairless heads. (But watch out for Sister Damien’s little red wand cracking across lazy or disobedient hands.) Seventy-five years make Holy Name a grand old lady.Each of us who lived a part of the history guards and relishes his or her remembrances. All of us in different ways, shaped by a spirit which we continued to seek in other places, yet hardly exists anywhere else. You have earned the right to be a proud grandmother who gladly shows off her family.In my case, there was my First Mass. Then a 25th anniversary celebration of priesthood. Or celebrating my grandparents’ 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries, my folks’ 25th, sisters Kathie and Rosie getting married at the same altar.
Who can forget a young Fr. [Robert] Oelerich and a full church every hour on Sunday morning? Ralph Foral and Tom Chapman, Coach Engelbretson, Fathers Ray Schmitt and Tony Powers, Sister Mary Ellen and Skip Stephenson. Did you bring your pennies and nickels to ransom pagan babies in far away lands? How little did I realize that I would spend almost half of my life working with such people.Here I am now, along the Amazon, trying to build the model parish in Matinha, gathering people together in worship, fun and family life. Need I look any farther than my memories? Was it only Camelot, or did it really exist? How do you capture 75 years of love, dedication, pride and identity in a few lines? Many a person only had to say “I live at Holy Name.” That said it all.Grand old lady, may you have another 75 years. They will be different, of course. But may you continue to lead and guide new generations through troubled periods and doubtful moments. Thanks. What I am today had its start in your arms.