In the Footsteps of Paul Volk: A Musical Travelogue of His Writings

The full house audience in the Ursuline Sisters’ Motherhouse Chapel was unanimous in its praise for “In the Footsteps of Paul Volk: A Musical Travelogue of His Writings” on March 19, 2019.

The audience, made up of Ursuline Sisters, priests, representatives of the Diocese of Owensboro and music lovers, gave a standing ovation at the conclusion of the concert, and were effusive in their praise afterward. The effort was a labor of love led by Heidi Taylor-Caudill, archivist for the diocese and the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, and Mike Bogdan, director of music for the diocese. The concert honored Father Volk, the missionary priest who brought the Ursuline Sisters to Maple Mount in 1874. He died 100 years ago this year.

Here are photos from the concert:

Guests look over these items that belonged to Father Volk. They were displayed in the Chapel gathering space.
Numerous artifacts were on display from Father Volk’s collection contained in the Motherhouse Archives and Museum.
A timeline of Father Volk’s missionary travels, until his death at Mount Saint Joseph on Nov. 2, 1919. The concert was held on the feast of his patron saint, Saint Joseph.
Mike Bogdan, director or music for the Diocese of Owensboro, confers with Lisa Screeton, mezzo-soprano and musical director for the concert.
Leslie Pfingston, left, alto; Melissa Zink, center, soprano; and Olivia Terry, soprano, sing the opening song, “Baptized in Living Waters.” All the singers and musicians are members of Holy Spirit Church in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Melodic Four Quartet from Bowling Green were, from right, Katherine Messer, first violin; Noah Morsi, viola; Morgan Thomas, cello; and James Han, second violin.
Between each song, one of Father Volk’s letters was read. Heidi Taylor-Caudill read the first, a letter to the editor of the Record newspaper on March 1914, written from Cordellera de Talemanca, the mountain region between Panama and Costa Rica. Taylor-Caudill is digitizing hundreds of Father Volk’s letters, so they are searchable online.
Ursuline Sister Alicia Coomes reads a Father Volk letter from Ottenheim, Ky., to Mother Augustine Bloemer and her sisters, November 1886.
Mike Bogdan reads a letter from Father Volk in which he discusses learning Spanish so he can travel to minister in South America.
Ursuline Sister Ruth Gehres reads from petitions to Saint Joseph found under the statue of Saint Joseph in Peonia, Ky., on March 19, 1918.
Corey Bruns, a seminarian for the Diocese of Owensboro, receives congratulations from Ursuline Sister Catherine Kaufman after it was announced that he won a contest to write the music for Hymn for the 100th Anniversary of Fr. Paul Volk’s Death.
The members present join in singing the world premiere of the Hymn for the 100th Anniversary of Fr. Paul Volk’s Death. The lyrics for the hymn were written by Father Harry Hagan, OSB, who is pictured at the far left.
More of the audience members sing along with the new hymn, which includes this line: “Mother Pia and her Sisters joined him in this holy quest/and their work grew with the maples/for by God their work was blest.”
The musicians raise the roof in performing the original hymn.
Sister Amelia Stenger, right, congregational leader for the Ursuline Sisters, congratulates Lisa Screeton after the concert.
Sister Elaine Burke, second from left, was the first to congratulate the young musicians from Bowling Green.
Sister Cheryl Clemons shares a laugh with Mike Bogdan after the concert.
Sister Cheryl Clemons, right, joins two women from Bowling Green who came to support the musicians. The evidence shows they thought the performance was great.
Sister Vivian Bowles, left, visits with some former students after the concert.
Sister Ruth Gehres congratulates Corey Bruns on his composition after the concert. Sister Ruth and Sister Grace Swift were among 11 people who submitted musical pieces in the competition, which was judged by three people outside the diocese.
Sister Rose Jean Powers visits with Brett Ballard, music instructor at Brescia University, after the concert. Sister Rose Jean served at Brescia for many years.
Ursuline Associate Delores Turnage is all smiles with Ursuline Sister Alfreda Malone after the concert.
Sister Nancy Murphy, left, visits with Magdalen Kaelin as they look over some of Father Volk’s artifacts, including his trunk that contains his hat.
Father Richard Powers looks over some photos on display from the Father Volk collection.
This graphic shows how prolific Father Volk was in building churches, including in Panama.
Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger, a church musician herself, congratulates the musicians along with Mike Bogdan.
Father Harry Hagan, OSB, who wrote the lyrics to the Paul Volk hymn, visits with his cousin, Sister George Mary Hagan, during the reception after the concert.
Ursuline Sister Alicia Coomes, right, talks with her brother, Mike, and his fiancée Judy Duncan during the reception after the concert.
Heidi Taylor-Caudill talks with Father Meinrad Brune, archivist at St. Meinrad Archabbey, during the reception following the concert.
Ursuline Sister Stephany Nelson visits with singers Leslie Pfingston and Melissa Zink during the reception. Sister Stephany sang with the women when she was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Bowling Green.