By Mary Knapke

SPRINGFIELD DEANERY — Snow drifts caused by the previous day’s blizzard and a countywide snow emergency didn’t stop St. Joseph in Springfield from celebrating its 125th anniversary on March 9. More than 200 people attended the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk and concelebrated by Father Dennis J. Caylor, St. Joseph’s current pastor.

About a dozen Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus were part of the Mass’s opening procession with music provided by the St. Joseph choir. A reception followed in the parish center.

COURTESY PHOTO

Father Dennis Caylor, left, poses with Archbishop of Cincinnati Daniel Pilarczyk prior to the 125th anniversary Mass at St. Joseph Church in Springfield.

"Today we celebrate and offer thanks for the energy of God that has been active here over this century and a quarter," the archbishop said. "We celebrate and offer our thanks for the spiritual growth that has manifested the presence of Christ among this congregation. We celebrate and offer thanks for the life that God has shared with us during the past years, and we look forward to the new life that God has promised us for the eternal future. It’s good to be grateful, and it’s good to be alive."

Springfield City Commissioner Dan Martin presented Archbishop Pilarczyk and Father Caylor with a city proclamation making March 9 St. Joseph Anniversary Day. Commissioner Martin is also the son of Dick Martin, a parishioner and retired graphic artist who created a rendering of the church.

Barbara Clarkson has been a parishioner at St. Joseph for 55 years and served as parish secretary for more than 25 years. All five of her children attended St. Joseph’s School and are now members of St. Joseph and nearby St. Raphael.

Clarkson said that she wouldn’t have made it through the snowdrifts in her driveway to the Mass if her son hadn’t picked her up in a four-wheel drive vehicle. She said she especially enjoyed the display of a quilt made in 1932 by the ladies of the parish. At that time, parishioners paid 10 cents each to have their names stitched onto the quilt. Clarkson said she had not seen the quilt before but recognized many of the names from her early days as a parishioner at St. Joseph. The quilt was displayed during the reception, along with a variety of other memorabilia and parish artifacts.

"We have two wonderful priests in Father Caylor and Father Hackman, and they give wonderful homilies. And the anniversary Mass and reception were very nice," Clarkson said. Father Marvin Hackman serves as parochial vicar for the parish.

While about 300 people were expected to attend the anniversary Mass, parish business manager Dick Copeland said event planners were pleased with the outcome of the day.

"Mass went very well," he said. "Despite the inclement weather, we had a very nice turnout." Copeland also expressed his gratitude to everyone who assisted in putting the event together, including those who contributed memorabilia for the historical display in the parish center. Other items in the display included photos, yearbooks from St. Joseph’s School, programs from the parish’s golden jubilee and other items belonging to parishioners or the parish archives.

St. Joseph parishioner Tom Hannon said the anniversary event was poignant for his family. His father, Tom Hannon, Sr., passed away about a week before the celebration after 94 years in the parish. The elder Hannon had been active in the parish as an usher, and he coached baseball, basketball and football at the school for three decades.

"He would’ve loved seeing people come together for the celebration. He would’ve enjoyed welcoming everyone and saying, ‘Welcome home.’ That’s what it was for him. It was more than a church. It was the center of life for this area they called Irish Hill," said Hannon, who is also active with the parish Bible study group, finance and stewardship committees, and in planning Advent and Lenten retreats.

Hannon added that he continues to marvel at the efforts extended by the St. Joseph community in establishing the parish 125 years ago.

"When you look at the church itself and think about the commitment it took for it to be built, it couldn’t have been a simple task," he said. "People made such a commitment to their faith and to their community."