By Mary McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 7/3/03)

WINCHESTER — Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester filled Muldowney Hall last weekend following the 11:15 a.m. Mass in order to get their chance to say "thank you" to the priests, brothers and sister who reside within the parish boundaries.

Concelebrating the Mass with Father Michael Kelly, parochial vicar, were Cistercian Father Robert Barnes, abbot of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Cross in Berryville, and Franciscan Father Aidan Mullaney from the Sacred Heart Friary in White Post. Deacon Edward Christianson, permanent deacon at Sacred Heart for the last 22 years, assisted.

Also attending the awards ceremony were School Sister of Notre Dame Bernadette Melling from the Sacred Heart Convent, Cistercian Brother Barnabas Brownsey from Holy Cross Abbey and Franciscan Brother Finbar Gallagher from the Sacred Heart Friary.

Each person recognized for devoting their lives to the service of the Church received a framed certificate in appreciation.

"I don’t know about you, but I can feel the love in this room," said Bart Donovan, chair of the Appreciation Committee. "On this day, we want our priests and religious to know they have our respect, support, love and prayers."

The parishioners wore pins designed and provided by the religious appreciation committee. The pins featured the words "thank you" and a cross, to signify the religious; praying hands, to show they are being prayed for; and a heart to indicate they are loved.

At the urging of the parishioners, Father Stanley J. Krempa, pastor, delivered a brief speech. He said he never doubted that he was appreciated and loved by the parish. About his ministry, he said, "It’s just the job we’re supposed to do." He said, just as married couples are supposed to serve and be faithful to each other, it is his job as a priest to serve and be faithful to his Church.

Deacon Christianson agreed with Father Krempa. "All through the years we’ve had appreciation shown," he said. Christianson and his wife, Mary, are well known in the parish for being willing to help in any way that is needed. Aside from assisting the priests at Mass, Christianson is also a fourth degree Knight in the Valley Council Knights of Columbus.

Peter Buchbauer, president of the Christian Family Movement, served as master of ceremonies at the reception. "The laity of the Catholic Church loves and respects its religious," Buchbauer said. "We thank you, and we love you for all you have done for us, our community and our Church."

Buchbauer mentioned that the 49 people being honored represent just less than 2,000 years of service.

Only two of the Trappist monks, Father Barnes and Brother Brownsey, were able to attend from the cloistered Holy Cross Abbey.

Many of the Franciscans in White Post are retired priests and were unable to attend for medical reasons.

The reception was recorded, and a member of the Appreciation Committee will take the tape to the monasteries and deliver the awards to all those who were unable to attend.

The Appreciation Day was organized by the seven members of the Appreciation Committee chaired by Bart Donovan.

Donovan said the goal of the committee is to "utilize parish organizations: the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Parish Council of Catholic Women, the Christian Family Movement, and others nationwide who have the ability and resources to popularize this event."

The Virginia Knights of Columbus approved a proposal to declare a national day of appreciation at their state convention in May.

At their meeting this month, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians signed a proposal to "establish and promote" a national religious appreciation day. They also agreed to present a resolution at their national convention in July.

The Christian Family Movement has approved a resolution to promote a national religious appreciation day at the national level.

Missy Pecora, a member of the Religious Appreciation Committee, said, "There are so many multitudes of priests who do a great job." She joined the committee to "be a part of recognizing and thanking them for what they do."

Sister Melling said it was "very gratifying to know that people appreciate the ordinary things I do for them."