We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin August 21, 2022

by Terrie Evans

On the 1^st weekend in August, San Antonio celebrated the 100^th Anniversary of the founding of the church without one of our most loyal parishioners, Roy Romelli, who became ill and went into Hospice a few days before his passing on Sunday, August 7, 2022, the day we missed his presence on this milestone.  Roy worked on our 100^th Anniversary Celebrations held every month with daughter Lisa (Romelli) Gillman, brother and talented artist Pat Romelli and nieces LuAnn and Gina Roberto and Tina (Roberto) Kroeger.  He enjoyed greeting those families with ties to our church and the old neighborhood.  Roy grew up in South Fairmount, the son of Joseph and Caroline (Bonaventura) Romelli with siblings sister, Fern (Romelli) Roberto and brother Pat Romelli, all longtime members of San Antonio Church.  Roy and his late wife Barbara (Spicer) Romelli were wed in 1956 and celebrated 46 years of marriage before her passing in 2002.  Roy and Barbara were longtime San Antonio Church Parishioners and active in the Men’s and Ladies Club while assisting his late sister, Fern (Romelli) Roberto when she was President of the Club.  He worked tirelessly over the years at the many tasks for all our fundraisers and attended all the 1^st Friday of the month meetings while helping the kitchen crew for our “Lunch on the House “and all the many fundraisers held over the years. 

Roy grew up among great cooks in a neighborhood rich in extended families, gardens, grape arbors, and homemade wine.  He could handle any job and had a reputation for making any dish better especially mashed potatoes.  He was known for preparing wonderful meals.  A few of Roy’s recipes listed in the” Mangia “Cookbook are Veal Piccata – Page 34, Stuffed Chicken Breasts with White Wine – page 38 and Nova in Purgatorio (Eggs in Purgatory) – page 51.  Roy was considered a friend to every parishioner at San Antonio Church and had very good friends from the “Harley Guys” motorcycle club who served as escorts to his resting place while playing favorite tunes for his last ride.  Roy was an Army Veteran who joined those motorcyclists for the “Rolling Thunder Ride” every year to Washington, D. C. in honor of all Veterans.  Besides all his church friends, he had a group who would meet him at Patrick’s Bar and Grill on his way home after working out at the Mercy Healthplex.  Roy leaves children, Angela Baker, Lisa Gillman, Nicola Burgun, Maria Halton, Joseph, Louis, spouses and their families.  Grandfather of 15; Roy’s funeral Mass was held at San Antonio Church on Saturday, August 13, 2022, with Fr. Ralph Westerhoff officiating.   

Another Parishioner from long ago who had recently passed away on June 10, 2022, was Frank Moore at age 92.  Frank “Mousie” Moore was active in the Men’s Club along with his late brother Don Moore (1931-2020) and as an officer in the Club when Fr. Bennet was our Pastor and was present during the Golden Jubilee Celebration in 1972.    Frank was born in 1929 to the late Louis (1896-1980) and Josephine (Roberto) Moore (1901-1986) residents from Little Italy known for their gardens.  Frank’s siblings besides Don were Joseph (1920-1988), John (1924-1995), and Anthony (1922-1997).  Frank married the late Arline Garthaus on October 31, 1950 and welcomed Nancy (Steve) Gruen and Connie (Paul) Wagoner and many Grandchildren.  We send our condolences and prayers to the Romelli and Moore/Morra Families.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin August 14, 2022

by Terrie Evans

Our San Antonio Church Community celebrated their milestone anniversary with a family picnic last week on Saturday, August 6^th and a wonderful Mass on Sunday, August 7^th with our Archbishop, Dennis Schnurr.  Our celebration began last year in August 2021 when the first group of descendants from the original founding families were invited for a Mass and Reception in our Hall to remember and honor their contributions they made toward the start of our church.   We had a fantastic turnout on that 1^st Sunday in August and every month since then brought back many generations of early family members to reintroduce our little church that when it was founded and dedicated in 1922, as San Antonio National Italian Parish.  Many of our great grandparents and grandparents were then living in the Little Italy section of South Fairmount raising large families with the first-generation Americans of Italian descent.  These members of those founding families of our church sent their pictures for the posters to be displayed on their Family Sunday.  Throughout the year from 2021-2022, those posters would be shown in the Hall at San Antonio Church and then stored for the final celebration at a Church Picnic to be held at Maple Ridge Lodge the day before our 100^th Anniversary Mass.   

On Saturday, August 6, 2022, over 300 family members with ties to San Antonio Church shared connections with each other while enjoying wedding, family reunion and photos showing the following generations of those early immigrants, some dating to the late 1890’s.  The beautifully done posters of those families tell the stories of the early settlement of the Italian Community in South Fairmount who had journeyed from small towns and remote villages such as Felitto, Potenza or Rocadespiede in Southern Italy.  The pictures introduced many of us to the stories that were never told but, their faces showed the joy of arriving in a country full of possibilities as they celebrated their wedding day and the start of a new life.  They struggled to get here and lived very hard lives, but they all had one thing in common, their devotion to their Catholic Faith and each other.  They were living within the boundaries of South Fairmount known as a community of farms, factories, with two schools that served the students – Central Fairmount Elementary and St. Bonnies Catholic School.   Many of the parents were not given the opportunity to attend school so an education and receiving the Sacraments were what they dreamed for their children.  The posters told all those stories of accomplishment and successes within their families, the neighborhood and church.  Our 100^th Anniversary celebration Picnic and Mass was a success, and we are proud of all the volunteers who made it happen. We have done what our ancestors would want us to do, and we will never forget the generations of generous selfless individuals who held our church deep in their hearts and gave everything they had to keep it going.   We are thankful to all our past and present San Antonio Church families for sharing their family stories with us, we are forever grateful.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin August 7, 2022

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, San Antonio Church celebrates a milestone, the 100^th Anniversary as we welcome the original family groups who have been honored throughout the year.  We are also thrilled to see our many Friends of San Antonio Supporters who have helped us maintain our church.  Everyone in attendance is ecstatic and humbled to attend a Mass celebrated by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Dennis Marion Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati.  Today, we remember those family members who are no longer with us but on this day, we can feel their presence.  We are also honored to welcome Rev. Jason Williams (Vice Chancellor- Master of Ceremony) Rev. Len Wenke, Rev. Rudy Coaquira Hilage and our beloved Sisters of Charity from the Order of Sr. Blandina Segale, Servant of God.  This is the first visit by Archbishop Schnurr to San Antonio Church since he was chosen to lead the Archdiocese which includes the Cincinnati and Dayton metro areas. 

Our Archbishop is a descendant from the members of the Schnurr and Jungers families who were early settlers to Iowa, the Hawkeye State, known for agriculture.  Dennis Marion Schnurr was born in Sheldon, Iowa to the late Edward William and Eleanor Lena (Jungers) Schnurr with siblings, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.   Sheldon, Iowa known to locals as “Where Family Comes First “ is located on the Floyd River, a tributary of the Missouri River.  The town was founded in 1873 after the establishment of the Sioux City and St Paul Railroad now having a population of 5,000.  Archbishop Schnurr attended Spalding Catholic High School in Granville, Iowa about 3 miles from Sheldon and 2 miles from Hospers, Iowa where the Schnurr Family would later relocate.  The Schnurr Family became members of The St. Anthony Church in Hospers, which is now part of The Pilgrim Cluster along with St. Joseph and St. Mary Church.  The Archbishop then attended Loras College (Motto: For God and Country) in Dubuque, Iowa, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1970.  The private Catholic Institution   has many distinguished Alumni, including 30 Bishops.  He studied for the Priesthood at the Pontificial Gregorian University in Rome where he earned his Master of Theology Degree and was Ordained on July 20, 1974. 

After his Ordination, Archbishop Schnurr became Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, Iowa until 1977 when he went on to Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City, Iowa.  He did his Graduate Studies in Washington D.C. at the Catholic University of America in 1980, where he received his Doctorate of Cannon Law. He was then assigned to the Staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in n Washington, D.C. in 1985 and served as Associate General Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).   He held many positions supervising departments dealing with Education, Domestic and International Social Policy, and Communications.  From 1991-1993, Archbishop Schnurr was appointed the National Executive Director of World Youth Day 1993 in Denver, Colorado while working closely with Pope St. John Paul II.  He became the 8^th Bishop of Duluth, Minnesota on January 18, 2001, and Co-Adjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati on October 17, 2008. His Excellency, The Most Reverend Dennis Schnurr has been the Archbishop of Cincinnati since December 21, 2009.

            We are very grateful to Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, Rev. Jason Williams, Rev. Len Wenke, and Rev. Rudy Coaquira Hilage, for The Concelebration Mass on our 100^th Anniversary and we are all pleased that you will be added to the history of San Antonio Church.  Grazie a tutti.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin July 31, 2022

by Terrie Evans

In 1922, when San Antonio Church was established, the population of Cincinnati was 401,247 in a city that rests along 22 miles of riverfront on the banks of the Ohio River extending from the East Side, California (East of Lunken Field); to Saylor Park on the West Side.  Cincinnati was settled in 1788, located at a junction of the North, South, East and West and incorporated as a city in 1819.  The Diocese of Cincinnati was established on June 19, 1821 and at that time, included several thousand Native American Catholics along with European Settlers and the entire state of Ohio as well as the Michigan Territory.  By 1850, many Irish and German immigrants came to Cincinnati for work that eventually relieved the massive labor shortage.  This is when the city became known as the Queen City.  In 1859, Cincinnati laid out 6 Streetcar lines pulled by horses and by 1889 the Streetcar system began converting to Electric Streetcars.  When our ancestors settled in South Fairmount, they learned that Cincinnati was known as the “City of 7 Hills”, said to resemble ancient Rome also built on 7 Hills.  The Seven Hills that form a Crescent shape around the city are:  Mt. Adams, Walnut Hills, Mt. Auburn, Vine Street Hill, College Hill, Fairmount, and Mt. Harrison now Price Hill.  

Many families soon learned their new home country was also a city of many firsts.  The Cincinnati Fire Department was the first paid professional Fire Department in the United States and Cincinnati was also the first city to establish a Weather Bureau.  Cincinnati is home to the Oldest Public Observatory and the first Ambulance Service.  The residents in 1922 witnessed the Cincinnati Subway breaking ground for the $6 million job that was never completed.  The Cincinnati Opera was established along with the founding of the Le Blond Aircraft Engine Corporation in Norwood.  Newspapers printed in 1922:  The Catholic Telegraph founded in 1831, the 1^st Diocesan Newspaper and 2^nd oldest in the United States; The Cincinnati Enquirer established in 1841, Cincinnati Daily Times (1843-1948), Cincinnati Times Star (1883-1958), Cincinnati Weekly Times (1883-1986), and Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (1896-1958). 

In 1922, our country had many firsts when the United States was only 146 years old; insulin was used for the first time to treat diabetes in humans.  The United States commissioned its 1^st Aircraft Carrier, and a Trade Agreement between Italy and Russia was established.  The Government of Italy resigns with Benito Mussolini forming his own Government and making himself Premier.  The 19^th Amendment (Women’s Right to Vote) is upheld by the Supreme Court and the Lincoln Memorial is dedicated.  The 29^th President of the United States, President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) was the 1^st President to use the Radio while in the White House and in England, the BBC began broadcasting news.  On July 1, 1922 – August 1922, the Nationwide Great Railroad Strike also known as the Railway Shopman’s Strike started when workers walked off the job due a cut in wages.  The 400,000 railway workers including 100,000 in Chicago alone left their jobs over a 12% pay cut (7 cents).     

By 1922, there were numerous Churches, Convents, Academy’s, Hospitals, Monastery’s, Orphanages, Schools and Homes for the Aged serving the Catholic Community within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.   At that time, a Belgian-born American Catholic Priest, Emmanuel Thienpont became a pioneer of Parish Organization for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  The many established Religious Communities within the Archdiocese owe their presence to a prominent Catholic Convert, Sarah Worthington King Peter who relocated many Sisters from Europe to Cincinnati.  The year 1922 was a milestone year for many of our family members with the founding of our church.  As we celebrate our 100^th Anniversary on August 7, 2022, we can now add San Antonio Church to the list of historical events.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin July 24, 2022

by Terrie Evans

San Antonio Church welcomes new and Holy Family Parish families to our 9:00 AM Sunday Mass due to the change in Mass schedules.  Holy Family Church is a big part of the history of Price Hill dates to 1884 with the founding of their church. At that time,  Price Hill became a popular destination for families after the floods of 1883 and 1884 after many left their homes in the valley to settle on higher areas of the city.  Price Hill today is now considered as one of the oldest outlying settlements of Cincinnati.  The population grew with German , Irish and Welsh Catholic Families who relocated to enjoy the lush grounds and clean air on top of a hill that was serviced by the 2nd Incline in the city of Cincinnati , started in 1874 by John and William Price.  The Incline, one for passengers and the other for freight would bring thousands of Cincinnatians to the Price Hill House and Pavilion.  Also located on the Hill was the all-girls school St, Vincent Academy established by the Sisters of Charity in 1854 that would years later become Seton High School.  

The new Catholics coming to Price Hill started to attend Mass at St. Lawrence Church, founded in 1868, that soon became overcrowded with the new residents.  Archbishop William Henry Elder agreed for the establishment of a new parish with a committee meeting with 4 possible names being considered.  Those coming up for votes were St. Alphonsus, St. Leo, Holy Family or St. Cecilia with Holy Family being picked on the second round of voting.  The dedication for the new parish took place on August 24, 1884 with the 1^st Pastor, John Menke (1852-1897) presiding over the 1st Baptism, Michael Tracy, the 1st Funeral was for Richard Cleary and the 1st Wedding celebrated for Joseph Berry to Caroline Schmidt.  The 1^st Communion Class consisted of William Hogan, Henry Moening, Théodore Lichtenstein, and Frank Nordhaus with Archbishop William Elder confirming 23 parishioners.  The 1^st Holy Family School was established with a total enrollment of 30 taught by the Sisters of Charity living at Cedar Grove (Seton High School).  They came to school every morning in a Conestoga Wagon (horse drawn carriage) and took the children on field trips to the Cincinnati Zoo traveling in a brewery wagon.   By January 1900, the debt of the church, $8,060.61 was paid in full and a proposed addition to the church and school buildings was introduced. 

The area around Holy Family Parish grew and by 1911, 540 families were members of the church.  By 1914, another 227 families were parishioners and with a total of 767 families a new church was in the next phase with school enrollment reaching 473 with 9 Sisters of Charity at the school.  On Trinity Sunday on June 18, 1916, the new church designed by J. F. Sheblessey was dedicated by Most Reverend Henry Moeller that would hold 760.   The Firsts in the new church:  First Baptism:  Florence Elizabeth Brindley, First Marriage:  Carl George Weber to Martha Elizabeth Mechlenborg and the 1^st Confirmation for 81 boys, 70 girls, 2 men and 5 women of the parish.    In 1934, the 50^th Anniversary was celebrated along with the first recorded Festival was a milestone in the history of Holy Family.    Parishioners were asked to donate 65 ounces of gold, 65 ounces of silver, and small and large precious stones for a one-of-a-kind Monstrance crafted by Andrew Messmer & Company. 

On December 6, 1959, a solemn High Mass was celebrated for the 75^th Anniversary and a farewell reception for Fr. Kuhn.  The Centennial 100^th took place in June 1983 with a Homecoming Festival, a Parish Day at the Reds Game and a Holy Family Parish Picnic.  During the years 1988-89, Holy Family Parish merged with Our Lady of Grace and Our Lady of Perpetual Help and in 1994, St. Michael Church in Lower Price Hill became a Chapel of Holy Family until it closed.  In 1998, their statue of St. Michael found a new honorable home when it was placed in the Memorial Garden at Holy Family.  In January 2005, the Spanish Ministry began a prayer group and soon, Mass was celebrated on Sunday’s in Spanish.  Holy Family Parish celebrated their 125^th Anniversary in June 2008 with a Mass and Dinner.  In 2010, Holy Family Parish agreed to align with San Antonio Church under the direction of Fr. Jim Kiffmeyer and then Fr. Len Wenke, who is now assigned to a parish in Dayton, Ohio with Fr. Rudy now assigned to Holy Family.  We welcome Rev. Rodolfo (Rudy) Coaquira Hilajie, a Peruvian Carboni Missionary.  Fr. Rudy was the Parochial Vicar of St. Leo and St. Boniface Parishes before coming to Holy Family Church.  Holy Family Parish will celebrate their 140^th Anniversary in June 2023!