Father Volk and all the departed souls remembered at Mass

The 100th anniversary of the death of legendary priest Father Paul Joseph Volk brought Ursuline Sisters and guests to Maple Mount on Nov. 2, 2019, to join Bishop William Medley for a Mass to celebrate a Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

The All Souls’ Day Mass, in which the Church prays for all who have died, was made extra special this year as those gathered remembered Father Volk, the priest who welcomed the Ursuline Sisters to Mount Saint Joseph from Louisville in 1874. He oversaw construction of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, and though his travels took him as far as South America, Maple Mount was where he felt at home. He died on Nov. 2, 1919 and is buried in the Mount Cemetery. Following the service, Ursuline Sisters were encouraged to light at candle at Father Volk’s grave, where they would be allowed to burn until sunset.

Here are photos from the day.

Sister Amelia Stenger, right, congregational leader, welcomes Associates Suzanne Reiss, left, and Bonnie Marks to the Mass.
Carolyn McCarty, left, an alumna of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, arrives at Mass as Sister Marie Joseph Coomes hands out liturgy guides.
Sister Amelia Stenger carries the processional cross as Sister Alicia Coomes prepares to carry the lectionary to begin Mass.
Singing the opening hymn, “Jesus, Lord Have Mercy” are, from right, Sister Mary Henning, Sister Mary Timothy Bland, Carolyn McCarty, Sister Rita Scott, Associate Carol Hill, Associate Suzanne Reiss and Associate Bonnie Marks
Joining in the opening hymn are, from left, Sisters Michael Ann Monaghan, Betsy Moyer, Barbara Jean Head, Julia Head and Sharon Sullivan.
The Most Rev. William Medley, bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, second from left, concelebrated the Mass with Father Ray Goetz, left, Father Richard Powers, second from right, and Father Harry Hagan. Father Hagan, from Saint Meinrad Archabbey, wrote the lyrics to the Father Volk hymn “Come and See the Many Wonders,” which was the closing hymn.
Sister Alicia Coomes reads from the Book of Wisdom.
Jacob Hein, a music teacher for the Owensboro Catholic Schools, served as cantor for the Mass. Here he leads the participants in the responsorial psalm.
James Wells, director of music for St. Stephen Cathedral, played the organ for Mass. Many of the hymns used were those that would have been popular at funerals during Father Volk’s era.
Brett Ballard, a music instructor at Brescia University in Owensboro, plays the bells during the Mass. He used a collection of mallets to also play a portable snare drum, the triangle, the suspended cymbal and the finger cymbals.
Sister Alfreda Malone proclaims a reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Father Ray Goetz, chaplain at Mount Saint Joseph, reads from the Gospel of John.
Sister Mary McDermott reads the intercessions, including praying for all the Ursuline Sisters who have died in the past year, along with Genevieve Stelmach.
Sister Nancy Murphy, right, and Sister Mary Timothy Bland present the gifts to Bishop William Medley.
Bishop Medley prepares the blessing as, from left, Father Richard Powers, Father Ray Goetz and Father Harry Hagan join in. In his homily, Bishop Medley said Father Volk would have been surprised that anyone found this day significant. “He was simply being a shepherd to his people.”
Candles were lighted in remembrance of the 10 Ursuline Sisters and Genevieve Stelmach who died in the past year.
Sister Mary Henning, director of Liturgy for the Ursuline Sisters, talks with Mike Bogdan, director of the Office of Music for the Diocese of Owensboro. Bogdan oversaw the music and selected the performers for the Mass.

Comments

  1. Brother Gabriel Monarch, O.H.

    My growing up years (1943 to present) has always been involved with the Ursulines…my great aunt was Sister Mary Florence Monarch and my first cousin is Sister Jacinta Powers…as I grew up I remember Fr. Volk’s name mentioned many times…I could go on and on as I lean on my memory to bring back my childhood.

Comments are closed