(LEFT PHOTO) Father James Ritter, assistant, back left, and Father Michael O’Sullivan, pastor, back right, pose with parishioners who staged a historical pageant as part of the parish’s 150th anniversary in 1971. (RIGHT PHOTO) Deacon Frank Kraemer and Father O’Sullivan flank Washington Archbishop James Hickey, who concelebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the completion of major renovations to the church and rectory in 1986. (Catholic Standard photos; reprinted with permission)
On Sunday, October 23, at 10 a.m., Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory will concelebrate the closing Mass of St. Peter’s yearlong Bicentennial celebration. The festivities will include a Bicentennial photo of those in the church, taken from the choir loft immediately after the Mass, and a reception in the church hall. The photo will become part of our history, like the Centennial photo shot in 1920 when Baltimore Cardinal James Gibbons came to St. Peter’s for its 100th anniversary.
In fact, there has been lots to celebrate over the years. In 1896, when the parish turned 75, Jubilee altars made of carrara marble with onyx pillars (still in use) were installed. In 1920, for its 100th anniversary and the Golden Jubilee of then-pastor Msgr. James O’Brien, the parish had a four-day party and installed electricity in the church and rectory. In 1941, parishioners surely sang heartfelt alleluias on Easter, when the parish’s third church opened just a year after the second church was destroyed by fire. In 1971, for its 150th anniversary, the parish had an open-air Mass on the school grounds, a community block party, a concert of sacred music preceding a more formal Mass in the church, a historical pageant, a gala on the outdoor mall at L’Enfant Plaza, and a reception in the House of Representatives Caucus Room.
In 1986, to cap three years and $400,000 worth of major renovations to the church and rectory, the parish celebrated with a Mass of Thanksgiving, concelebrated by Washington Archbishop James Hickey. This historic preservation effort was funded by parishioner pledges averaging about $1,000. Ten years later, in 1996, the parish marked its 175th anniversary with a year of events beginning with a Mass concelebrated by now-Cardinal Hickey and Father O’Sullivan, pastor since 1970. There was also an ecumenical homecoming service in Providence Park, a historical pageant, Irish and Italian festivals of food and music, and a ball honoring parish seniors.
In 2005, when Father O’Sullivan marked 50 years as a priest, parishioners celebrated with him, first on Capitol Hill, then in his hometown in Ireland, where several dozen parishioners had traveled to continue the celebration with his family and friends there.
St. Peter’s certainly likes to celebrate; it’s one way joyful Christians show their love of God and neighbor. So, mark your calendars for October 23: There will be only one Mass that Sunday morning, at 10 a.m., with Cardinal Gregory. And plan to stay for the historic photo shoot and reception. Let’s end our Bicentenary with a flourish!