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Remsen parish marks 125th anniversary

By Rosemary Bernth
Globe staff reporter

History and service seemed to be the themes for the Remsen St. Mary Parish 125th anniversary Mass held on June 27.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless, presided at the liturgy with Msgr. Roger Augustine, a native son and Father Bill McCarthy, pastor of St. Mary Parish. Deacon Rick Roder, who was newly ordained in May, was the deacon of the Mass. The bishop’s homily reflected on the parish’s past and its practice of the commandment to love one’s neighbors.

“Real discipleship calls us to become involved in hard work, in making the kingdom of God a reality,” said Bishop Nickless. “We don’t have to struggle to sacrifice to build a beautiful church building like those who did this 125 years ago here in Remsen. We do have to be disciples and we do have to suffer and sacrifice, just like they did, giving all and not counting the cost to be free to serve our Lord and Master Jesus Christ all the days of our lives. That’s how this church and community started.”

The bishop said he read the book “We Are Called: A History of St. Mary’s Parish, Remsen, Iowa” by Deacon Roder while he was writing the homily.

“It was a fascinating book and I couldn’t put it down,” he said. “I read about the snow and the impossibility to travel and everything it did to slow down the construction of the church. I read about the priests and religious women who are native to this parish. I read about the Luxembourg influence.”

To honor the culture, the ceremony began with a Knights of Columbus procession of the Our Lady of Luxembourg statue and included a Luxembourg hymn.

Deacon Roder, who wrote the book to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the church building, said this celebration was a chance to make another mark in history.

“I’m a big history buff,” he said. “I’ve studied a lot of history, but you don’t ever think to study the history of your own place where you live. It was really fun to bring all the stories together and bring all the history together into one book. That helps young people to be able to read where we come from and where we’re going.”

When it comes to service to the community, Deacon Roder said one of the parish’s strengths is hospitality.

“It’s a very welcoming place,” he said. “When big events come through here, people are always easily ready because everyone knows what they’re supposed to do.”

According to Norine Harvey, development director of Remsen St. Mary’s School and Church, all their hard work paid off.

“I with a lot of people have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this and it was worth every minute of it,” said Harvey. “Most of the liturgy part came through the liturgy team and they really outdid themselves. It was beautiful and very festive.”

Harvey said she wanted to give credit to Simon Pick and Andy Talles for their preparation of the event, which included going through the archives and bringing out some church artifacts. They also worked on the music for the Mass.

“They’ve outdone themselves in preparing this,” she said.

Bishop Nickless said it takes a lot of work to put such a celebration together. He said Harvey contacted him almost two years in advance for his availability.

“Checking my notes, Norine Harvey first contacted my office on August 11, 2008 to see if I would be willing to be here this day,” he said. “That’s planning.”

Most parishioners said the service was beautiful, coinciding with the beauty of the church.

“It was beautiful and the music was beautiful,” said Marion Beelner, a life-long parishioner. “I love being in there. It’s part of my life, part of my religion.”

“It was beautiful and fabulous,” said Tom Bohnenkamp, another life-long parishioner. “We have a great debt to our forefathers who built this magnificent church.”

Deacon Roder said he saw some parishioners become emotional when the bishop said he brings visitors from Denver to see the church.

“I saw a lot of people in the congregation crying when he said that he brings people here,” he said. “That means a lot to us. To have him come here and to hear that he knows us is really important.”

Msgr. Augustine said the celebration was a tribute to the Remsen community’s strong faith.

“They’re a strong faith people,” he said. “Their faith seems to be the best thing about these people.”

Other activities celebrating Remsen St. Mary’s Parish Quasquicentennial were spread throughout the weekend. Family Night Friday had a kid’s pedal tractor pull, a Car and Truck Cruise and an alumni softball tournament. Saturday had a parish auction, a “We Are Called” presentation by Deacon Roder and an all-school reunion dinner. After the Sunday Mass was the Oscar Cash Breakfast in the school cafeteria and a Knights of Columbus card tournament.

“It’s just been a jam-packed weekend,” said Harvey.