By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

In 2002 Cathedral renovation and enhancement began

SUPERIOR --As 2002 winds down, here is a quick look at the top news stories in the diocese this year:

Tornado

On Labor Day, Sept. 2, a tornado ripped through downtown Ladysmith and rural Rusk County, leaving a 15 mile path of destruction. Over 140 structures in the community of 3,900 were damaged or destroyed. Damage was estimated at $20 million, but thankfully no one was killed. Our Lady of Sorrows Church was not damaged by the tornado.

Prayer for peace

In the aftermath of the unprecedented terrorist attacks of 9/11, people throughout the country, the world and the Diocese of Superior prayed for peace and renewal. On Jan. 23, a ecumenical, city-wide prayer vigil was held at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior. About 150 attended the service with Bishop Raphael M. Fliss officiating.

Catholics in Superior also gathered at the cathedral to pray for peace during a special Mass on Sept. 11. In his homily, Fliss said it was a day for remembrance and mourning but also a day to look into the future and seek peace, both for the world and for individuals. At the end of Mass, a small fruit tree was planted as a symbol of peace.

In addition, a number of peace demonstrations occurred as Catholics throughout the diocese protested the possible U.S. war on Iraq.

Cathedral Renovation

The cathedral preservation and enhancement project is underway, and much progress has been made this year. Conceptual plans for the renovation were presented on March 18. Major changes such as replacing the plumbing system, upgrading the kitchen, improving the sound and lighting system, infrastructure upgrades, making the building handicap accessible, increasing the size of the parking lot, enhancing the artwork on the walls and ceilings and other changes to the interior were proposed.

Necessary exterior repairs, including tuck-pointing, reinforcing the bell tower and replacing part of the copper roof, have already been completed.

Cathedral renovation and enhancement was made part of a three-year, two-tiered Diocesan Services Appeal campaign launched in September.

New deacons

Four deacons were ordained in the diocese this year. The first ordination, to the permanent diaconate, took place on June 23, when Michael Germain became a deacon at Immaculate Conception Parish in New Richmond.

Norman Mesun was ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 30 at St. Mary Church in Phelps and on Aug. 30, Clifford Eggett was ordained a deacon at St. Mary Parish, Tomahawk.

Lastly, seminarian Eugene H. Hornung was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Nov. 23. The ordination took place at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wis., where he is studying for the priesthood. After he is ordained a priest, Hornung will return to minister in the Superior diocese.

New Franciscans

In July, three new Franciscans began serving in the diocese. Fr. William Rooney became the new pastor, and Fr. Andre Schludecker the new parochial vicar, at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Ashland. Fr. Michael Jennrich, a weaver and artist in residence in Bayfield, is a member of the friar team serving the parishes of Holy Family, Bayfield; St. Ann, Cornucopia; St. Joseph, LaPointe; St. Francis, Red Cliff, and St. Louis, Washburn.

Milestones

Several important milestones were celebrated in 2002. On June 16, Catholics in Frederic gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Dominic Parish. Fr. David Lusson conducted a special outdoor Mass and some parishioners dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing.

St. Ann Parish in Cable also celebrated its 100th birthday. Fliss presided over the Mass and Fr. John P. Slowey was the concelebrant. The interior of the church was remodeled in 2001, just in time for the centennial.

On April 20, Sr. Agnes Christen marked her 100th birthday and 81 years as a sister. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph community in Superior in 1921, a congregation that later merged with the sisters in Carondelet in 1986.

Over 400 couples married 50 years or longer were honored by bishop Fliss at two celebrations this year, the first in Woodruff on June 22 and the second on July 13 in Rice Lake. This is the first time the diocese has held celebrations of this kind. Of the couples who attended the two gatherings, Max and Bessie Scheller, members of Holy Rosary Parish, Medford, were married the longest. They celebrated their 70th anniversary on Sept. 3.

Catholic schools

Our Lady of Sorrows School, Ladysmith, celebrated its 90 year anniversary with a Mass, open house and breakfast on Oct. 20.

This spring, Cleo Wenzel, a kindergarten teacher at St. Anne School in Somerset, won the 2002 Kohl Foundation Award for Teachers.

Dedications

Two parishes completed significant building projects this year. St. Joseph Parish, Hayward, dedicated its new parish center and perpetual adoration chapel on Jan 1. The building is open twenty-four hours every day for anyone looking for a quiet place to pray. There are currently 174 people committed to one hour of adoration each week.

For St. Peter the Fisherman Parish in Eagle River, 2002 was a big year, with completion of a 6.5 million dollar project: a new church and parish education center. The church was dedicated on May 18, and the education center was dedicated Oct. 26.

Closings

Along with important milestones and dedications, the diocese saw hardships as well. A college and church closed this year. Mount Scenario college in Ladysmith closed on Aug. 31. It was founded 40 years ago by Servite Sisters and in 1972 was turned over to a lay board of trustees. The college was forced to close because its enrollment had decreased and it was unable to overcome severe financial problems.

In Stanton, St. Bridget Parish closed its church after 127 years. About 150 people packed the church for the final Mass on Sept. 15, concelebrated by Fr. Joseph Trinka and Fr. John Drummy. The dwindling membership and lack of a resident priest were the reasons behind the decision to close the church.

Catholic Herald Staff

The year 2002 was a time of transition for the Catholic Herald. Bill Kurtz was hired as interim editor after the departure of long-term editor Sam Lucero. On May 1, Julie Godfrey Miller, who had worked as staff writer since August 2000, was appointed managing editor. Kelley Kepler, a recent graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., was hired as the new staff writer and began on July 8. The Catholic Herald also bids farewell to office manager Rita Mehtala who will retire on Dec. 31 after working nearly 29 years at the paper

Liturgical changes

A formation meeting was held Dec. 3 at St. Joseph Church, Rice Lake, for all people involved in liturgical ministry. At the event Fliss and Fr. Gabriel Baltes, OSB, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, discussed the theological reasons behind liturgical revisions made to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal approved by Pope John Paul II in 2000. These changes will be implemented in the diocese over the next few month.

Obituaries

In 2002, the Catholic Herald published obituaries for two priests who had served in the diocese.

Benedictine Fr. Clement Sobr died in Naperville, Ill., on Feb. 19. The 81-year-old priest had served over 30 years in the Diocese of Superior, including parishes in Phillips, Moquah, Dauby, Ino and Fifield.

Fr. William A. Wenninger, 75, died of pneumonia on May 16 in Maplewood, Minn. He had served St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Eagle River; Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, and St. Bridget Parish, River Falls, before retiring in 1992. Wenninger also wrote a monthly column, "Religion and Culture," in the Catholic Herald from 1995 to 1998.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002