Among the things to come out of Vatican II was the recommendation that pastors establish lay councils to assist in the work of the parish. Here, longtime parishioners Pat Nishimoto and Anne Kraemer share their memories of that time at St. Peter’s.
Pat Nishimoto: When my father, John Curran, was asked to be the first president of the new parish council, he was very honored. He had been an active member of St. Peter's beginning in the 1960s. Of particular importance to him was the St. Vincent de Paul Society. At this time, in the late 60s and early 70s, the reforms of Vatican II were being implemented all over the United States, including Masses in English and the creation of parish councils to make the Church more tangible to the laity. It was an exciting time to be a Catholic.
The new parish council was tasked with the writing of the mission statement for the parish, and the setting up of the various parish-council committees. Enthusiasm was high and debates within the council were lively. My father died before the completion of the parish’s 150th anniversary celebration in 1971. He was 57 years old. He would have loved to see the continued success of the council, the high level of volunteerism, and the continuing concern for the needs of the disadvantaged.
Anne Kraemer: I started to attend St. Peter’s in 1967 and was soon asked to help with Sunday school. In early 1968 a new parish council was forming and the pastor, Msgr. William Awalt, asked me to represent religious education. I don’t know how the other members were chosen -- there were no elections and I think Msgr. just appointed them. We met once a month in the back parlor of the rectory.
The school was a big topic of concern, since enrollment was down and the building was in disrepair. Money was also a major topic, or the lack of it. I remember a topic that was brought up at every meeting by Jim Hodgson: “What happened to the bells at Communion time?!” Robbie Robinson was the only African American on the council and he was concerned about the lack of other African Americans attending church. I don’t recall Msgr. Awalt having much input in the meetings.
In fall 1968, Fr. Leonard Hurley became pastor and the format of the meetings changed. I think John Curran was still president, but Fr. Hurley conducted most of the business. When Fr. Michael O’Sullivan came in fall 1970, he initiated retreats for the council. We also had workshops on Saturdays. These fostered cohesiveness on the council and we discussed outreach to the community.
I remember some wonderful people who worked hard for the parish. Terry Scanlon and Frank Kraemer were council presidents after John Curran. Pat Driscoll represented the school on the council. Shirley Womack was a member and so was Eleanor Merrick, who did so much outreach with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I came off the council in the mid-1970s, but eventually served two more three-year terms.
Coming up next: The council writes a parish mission statement.