Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, February 22, 2008 Sebring St. Ann Parish will mark 100th anniversary By Debora Shaulis Flora Special to the Exponent SEBRING – Frank Dolce arrived one Sunday Mass a stranger to St. Ann Church, but by the time he left, he was aglow with the warmth of the parish’s trademark hospitality. “People started introducing themselves immediately,” recalled Dolce, 23, of Mantua, in an interview for the Exponent. “They were that quick to draw me into this community. I hadn’t been to church in many years. They made me feel warm and welcome.” Grace Kuniewicz, 83, was among those who greeted Dolce that Sunday. Father Thomas Dyer, administrator of St. Ann since 2004, says Kuniewicz doesn’t miss making introductions when there is a new face in the crowd. “That’s how my Dad was,” Kuniewicz said simply. Small-town friendliness is one of the Village of Sebring’s longtime attributes, especially at St. Ann Parish, which is observing its 100th anniversary this year. The celebration began Jan. 27 with a historical presentation by parishioner Andy Safkow and a spaghetti dinner, at which the Exponent interview was conducted. Parishioners discussed their parish’s proud past and its future challenges. At least one anniversary activity is planned per month for the rest of the year. Bishop George Murry, S.J., will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. March 9, with a reception afterward. The bishop’s visit coincides with the first Mass offered in Sebring, on March 18, 1908, in the former Knights of Pythias Hall. Other upcoming centennial events will include a Celebration of Mary on May 4 (the Blessed Virgin Mary was the daughter of St. Ann); a dinner dance on July 26; and the annual Parish Picnic on Aug. 17. St. Ann Parish has about 335 registered families who represent “a real mix” of ages, Father Dyer said. More than 90 children participate in the church’s CCD program, held on Sundays before Mass in nearby B.L. Miller Elementary School. Up to 15 young people participate in youth ministry activities; seven children will make their First Communion this spring; and 12 persons are preparing for Confirmation. The parish also is proud of its music program, which includes two organists, a gallery choir and a contemporary music group with guitars, bass and keyboards. Active groups and ministries include the Altar & Rosary Society, St. Ann’s Catholic Fellowship Society and the Funeral Buffet Ministry. “What I find here that is so outstanding is the care and concern that the people and the families have for one another,” Father Dyer said. While it is common for a diocese to take a successful program from a large urban parish and rework it for smaller, rural parishes such as St. Ann, “it would be healthy to do the reverse, because we do experience community here,” he said. The family atmosphere at St. Ann didn’t draw Frank Dolce alone. Lynn Moore, 50, of Damascus, is a lector, Eucharistic minister, religious educator and chair of the parish centennial committee. She and her family joined the parish about 18 years ago. “I’ve always liked a smaller, caring church,” she said. Mike Gans, 18, of North Burton, said he, his parents and sister joined St. Ann about four years ago, after belonging to a much larger parish. Gans is active in youth ministry and is a lector and Eucharistic minister. “It’s just a friendly, close place,” he said of St. Ann. Arleen Baddeley, 69, of Sebring, has been a member of St. Ann Parish since her wedding 49 years ago. Her four children grew up in the parish. “It’s a good town and parish to raise your children. The CCD classes were good,” she said. Besides helping with card parties and church dinners, Baddeley describes herself as a “pierogie pincher,” part of the workforce that makes homemade pierogies for sale every Friday during Lent. Kuniewicz has lived across the street from St. Ann Church most of her life. She was baptized, received First Communion and was married at St. Ann. Her parents, Thomas M. and Mary Maley Woods, were the first couple to be married in the church. One of her older siblings, Rosemary Woods, became famous as the secretary to former President Richard Nixon. A former director of the parish junior choir and vocalist at funerals and weddings, Kuniewicz is the honorary chair of the church’s centennial committee. “I’m deeply indebted to St. Ann,” Kuniewicz said. “We participated in everything here.” Pinky Allen, 64, of North Benton is a lifelong member of St. Ann Parish. Among other things, she is the main contact person for the parish Prayer Chain, a member of the funeral buffet ministry and a Eucharistic minister. “I like all this hard work,” she said. Deacon Ralph Chase of Craig Beach has served the members of St. Ann for the last six years. “It’s a very active parish. People come together in many ways, at Mass and here,” Chase said, referring to the spaghetti dinner. “We feed both parts of the body – the spirit and the stomach.” Dolce completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program two years ago. He’s proud to be a lector, something he enjoys immensely. “Being able to read the Word – it’s more than the word ‘honor’ can describe,” he said. Asked about parish challenges, Father Dyer mentioned the state of the economy. When St. Ann Church was founded a century ago, Sebring was a bustling industrial town with five potteries, two cooperages (factories that made barrels and boxes for shipping the pottery) and even an auto manufacturer. The parish has outlasted many of the industries. The parish lost some significant members to death in 2007, Father Dyer said. Another challenge is getting younger persons, especially young families, to participate in volunteer activities at church. Part of the challenge is the time demands on families. Also, “You have to find a place for younger people. Sometimes it’s [about] moving over and making room,” he said. Gans said it is his goal to build on relationships by continuing to participate in parish activities. By doing so, he hopes to bring in more people and “open their eyes to God,” he said. Dolce, too, said his intention is to make himself more available for parish events and to “put the obstacles of today’s society aside” in order to use his God-given talents for the church’s good. Historically, St. Ann Parish has been at the center of community of Sebring. “In many ways, we try to replicate that,” Father Dyer said. St. Ann parishioners make homemade doughnuts once a month that are purchased by other churches in the village. Good Friday services attract non-Catholics as well as parish members. A Fourth of July tradition is a community run that ends at St. Ann Church, where breakfast is served. Just as St. Ann has made its mark on Sebring, Father Dyer has made an impression on parishioners there. “I just love to listen to him talk,” Baddeley said. “His laugh is a trademark,” Dolce noted. “His personality comes out in his preaching. He makes Scripture relevant,” Deacon Chase said. “It’s not like listening to TV. He holds your attention well,” Gans said. Future plans include construction of a new parish center behind the church. Dinners and other activities currently are held in the church basement. The parish has the money to build but will wait until after a committee that Bishop Murry has commissioned makes its recommendations about the future of the diocese, Father Dyer said. One hundred years ago, Catholics in Sebring had to travel to St. Joseph Parish in Alliance until the pastor, Father James Farrell, began using Sebring Town Hall as a mission site. It was Father Francis Hopp, also of St. Joseph Parish, who celebrated the first Mass in Sebring. After several months, St. Ann Parish was established in a former butcher shop on Seventeenth Street. Father George Schoenemann (1908-1909) was the first resident pastor at St. Ann. Father Anthony Dean spent part of 1909 here as well. Father Thomas Hanrahan (1909-1913) rallied parishioners to tear down the old church and build a new, wood one on St. Ann’s present site on South Fifteenth Street. Father Joseph A. Powers (1913-1934) served more than 20 years at St. Ann and oversaw construction of the parish house that remains in use today. Under the guidance of Father Victor Studer (1930-1934), parish membership grew, a remodeling project was completed and a bell tower was added to the church. Other priests who served the parish were Father H. Bauranaccu (1933-1934), Father D’Arcy Nadon (1933-1934) and Father J. Francis Dietz (1934-1944), who led the faithful through the Great Depression and World War II until his death. Father J. Ferris Petros (1944-1960) also had long tenure, with support from Father John B. Holcom (1952), Father Ralph Marini, SSP (1952) and Father Kieran R. Hayes, SSP (1953). During these years, the old church building was moved to make room for the present church. Construction was completed in 1960, the year Father Petros died. His funeral was held in the old wooden church and was the last Mass to be offered in that building. Father Werner Hacket was named parish administrator in 1960 and remained on the job for two years. During that time, Father John Vasko arrived (1961-1965). Other pastors were Fathers Anthony M. Lang (1965-1968); Frederick A. Anzivino (1968-1972); John Humphrey (1972-1973); Leo J. Pleban (1973-1984); Robert Bruce (1984-1989); and John W. Schmidt (1989-1995). In 1995, Bishop James Malone addressed the shortage of priests by naming Humility of Mary Sister Maureen Smith as Parish Leader, in charge of all non-sacramental duties. She remained in that capacity until her death in Nov. 30, 2000. Sacramental duties at the parish were performed by Fathers William Ellis, MSC (1995), Matthew Roehrig, SSP (1996-1997) and Jeffrey Mickler, SSP (1997-2001). Father Leo Wehrlin, who is currently director of the diocesan Office of Vocations, was pastor from 2001 to 2004. Besides Father Dyer and Deacon Chase, the parish staff consists of Barbara Clary, secretary; Don Brown, CCD principal; and Joe Cadile, business manager.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2008   Please visit the Catholic Exponent new Web site: www.cathexpo.org   FFC speaker lists surprising mega-trends for Church worldwide   Paulines’ stpaulstube.com Web site up, running, getting response   Bishop Murry: Charity is most important of deacon’s three ministries   Diocesan library/media center has resources on vocations   Mission trip to Mexico touches St. Robert parishioners   Cavs look to bounce back from first-ever losing season   Diocesan educators honored for years of service   New class of permanent deacons set to be ordained   Diocesan high schools update facilities, announce new staffers   IHM teens help rebuild New Orleans, learn life lessons   Enrollment for diocesan schools expected to remain the same   Youngstown native Leschinsky takes perpetual vows as Salesian   Mantua St. Joe group repairs home in southwestern Virginia   Conneaut St. Mary/St. Frances merger to be celebrated Aug. 24   St. Clement School in Navarre will not open for 2008-2009   Picnic promotes camaraderie among diocesan seminarians   Sacred Heart of Mary Parish celebrates 175 years   Groups from diocese help New Orleans with rebuilding process   Louisville group helps build new ‘Carter’ home   Office of Lay Ministry Formation set to begin 14th year   Nun’s talk on media calls for ‘communication, not control’   Six-part series on poverty, racism used World Café format   Retired priests — They value their vocation, like to be busy, need to feel needed   Four priests appointed deans; three other priests reappointed   E. 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