THE LATEST UPDATE FROM "OLD SAINT THERESA'S" IN RHODELIA

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SAINT THERESA HERITAGE PARTNERS NEWSLETTER

# 5

 THE FORMER SAINT THERESA/CROSS ROADS SCHOOL 

 

OUR NEW SAINT THERESA FAMILY LIFE CENTER

“I believe that God helps those who set out to do great things
for His sake and never fails those who trust in Him alone.”

Saint Theresa of Avila

Dedication
Saturday, October 15, 2022, 4:30 pm
Archbishop Shelton Fabre, Presiding
Mass, Tours and Dinner

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INFLATION HITS HOME

Father Ronald Knott, Project Coordinator

Just when we thought things were rolling along, we were hit with a “pie-in-the-face” when we found out about the realities of today’s inflation. We had raised what I had been told in the initial estimate of a year ago would be enough to finish the inside of the building. The outside was completed. All the bills had been paid. We were about to begin the inside, thinking we had the funds. Then the final estimate arrived with the bad news that construction costs had risen 40% during that one year! Sadly, we didn’t have enough funds after all!

 

I was floored, but after a few sleepless nights I decided to plow on and see if I could solve the problem with the help of a few well-connected friends. We are making progress, but we are not there yet. As we continue to raise funds, we have decided to go as far as we can with the money we have. We have started the inside. We would love to have the Family Life Center completely finished for the October 15th dedication. It is going to take a miracle to make that happen. While outsiders are helping us, we would love to raise the last $100.000.00 from our Saint Theresa Heritage Partners. Help us out! Do what you can, but also join me in doing what Jesus said, “seek, knock and ask!” We can’t stop now! We are so close!

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“THE GUEST HOUSE”
in honor of Father Patrick McNicholas (suggestion)

The pastorate of Father McNicholas, born in Ireland, was 20 years long and very eventful. He came to St. Theresa Church in October of 1850. He lived in a log rectory in the old cemetery. The present church and the original St. Theresa Academy building were erected under his administration. When the success of the school was assured, he felt that his work in the congregation was completed and resigned in October of 1870. No photos of him can be found. He is buried in St. Louis Cemetery in Louisville.

The parish offices will be moved into the new Saint Theresa Family Life Center. That leaves the rectory empty and ready for restoration. The plan is to repair, restore and upgrade it so that it can be used to attract retired priests, including Father Ray and Father Knott, who might be willing to help out either as fill-ins on Sunday or as presenters of programs in the Family Life Center. Various Priests, Religious Sisters, Deacons and lay persons may want to make a retreat or offer presentations in our Family Life Center. As they say, “Build it and they will come!”

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“NAZARETH HOUSE” (suggestion)

 

in honor of the 97 Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who served the parish for 123 years. The old convent has been partially renovated.

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FROM SLAVE TO PRIEST TO SOON-TO-BE-SAINT

 

The Venerable Augustus Tolton. First black man in the US to be ordained a Catholic priest.

His family were members of our very own Saint Theresa Church. His mother, Martha Jane, was born in Mooleyville and was moved to Missouri at age seventeen by her “owner” where she married and had three children – one of which was Augustus. After her husband’s death, she and her children miraculously escaped Missouri to the free state of Illinois.

His grandmother, Matilda, is buried in our old Saint Theresa Cemetery.

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The 222 Slaves Baptized at St. Theresa Church
Rhodelia, Kentucky

Baptism records March 25, 1824 - December 31, 1865. Indexed and compiled by Emilie Gagnet Leumas.
 

Of the 1,699 baptisms entered in the registers during those 41 years, there are 222 enslaved persons listed. They are listed by the year they received the Sacrament of Baptism. They helped quarry the foundation stones and make the bricks for the present church. We remember and honor them by saying their names.

 

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ANOTHER INTERESTING CONNECTION TO OUR PAST

Father Johnson refers to one of the last black parishioners, a descendant of one of the slave families who was baptized in St. Theresa Church, as “Charley who rang the church bells until 1905.” I think I have found out a little about who he was and where his probable father is buried. I believe that this is the grave marker of his probable father, Aron, in the “slave cemetery’ over the hill behind the church near Clark’s Tavern.

Lee Leumas, our history consultant, said that ARON was owned by Oliver Burch who also had a “boy” slave named Charley. ARON could very possibly be the father of Charley. 

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BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SAINT THERESA HERITAGE PARTNERS

Stay connected to the spiritual heritage of this sacred place through newsletters that celebrate, in photos and news articles, its rich historic and ongoing ministries. Mail a note to the address below requesting you become a partner.

MAKE A DONATION:

If you would like to make a donation to keep the process of restoration and revitalization going, mail it to the address below and make your check out to: St. Theresa Church with “Family Life Center” on the Memo line.

WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD!

WE ARE ALMOST THERE! 

WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE WAYS TO GO! 

HELP US OVER THE FINISH LINE IF YOU CAN! 

Mail your request and/or donation to:

St. Theresa Heritage Partners, 9245 Rhodelia Rd., Payneville, KY 40157

Please include your name, address, email and telephone number.