OLL Church Tour 3450 Lumardo Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 Phone: 513 922-0715 Parish Website: www.lourdes.org FACEBOOK: Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Page 2 Welcome to Our Lady of Lourdes We are happy you are here. We hope you enjoy your visit with our parish family. Our Parish History Our Lady of Lourdes Parish began Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927. The first Mass was celebrated by Father Francis Biendl (1927-1932) in Dr. Charles Murray s home located near the site of the present church. Six months later the white frame building was completed as the first church. Archbishop John T. McNicholas was the spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati at that time. Rapid growth followed. Shortly after the frame church came another frame building was erected to serve as OLL School. Our first festival was held in 1928. Energetic Father George Grunkemeyer (1932-1945) was OLL s second pastor. He was succeeded by Father George Lamott (1945-1971). Under Fr. Lamott, there was tremendous growth in the post-world War II era. In 1948, part of the present school building was built. Until the present church, both the school cafeteria and the gym were used as our church. REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen
Our Lady of Lourdes Page 3 Our beautiful hand carved crucifix above our altar was donated by parishioner Marion Subler in memory of his late wife Emma Subler in 2006. It was carved in Italy by Moroder Company, the same company that carved the statue of the Risen Christ in the Gathering Space and Our Lady of Lourdes by the Altar. Pastors of Our Lady of Lourdes Fr. Frances Biendl 1927 1932 Fr. George Grunkemeyer 1932 1945 Fr. George Lamott 1945 1971 Msgr. Robert Tensing 1971 1986 Fr. Francis Miller 1986 1992 Fr. Edward Rudemiller 1992-2005 Fr. David Sunberg 2005 2016 Fr. Len Wenke 2016 In 1960, the school annex was completed with eight classrooms. It is called St. Bernadette Hall. A convent was built in 1961. Now it is the Parish Office Center. The present church was built in 1967. An outward structure was added in 1981. Msgr. Tensing was our pastor from 1971 to 1986. He was succeeded by Fr. Francis J. Miller 1986 to 1992 and Fr. Edward L. Rudemiller 1992 to 2005. In 1999, our Fulfilling Our Dream project began. Under Fr. Rudy s leadership the grotto was moved to Rosebud, Tensing Hall was erected on Glenway, and our Church was renovated. Fr. David Sunberg, came to Lourdes in 2005 as our new pastor. In commemoration of our parish 80th anniversary in 2007, several parish benefactors added to the beauty of the interior of our Church. Our current pastor, Fr. Len Wenke was appointed in June, 2016. Our church and school continue our strong traditions. The strength of Lourdes is the goodness of its people, manifested by a strong faith, deep hope and an active love that cares and shares. Our parish is named after the apparitions of Our Blessed Mother to St. Bernadette Soubirous, at Lourdes France in 1854. The shrine of Lourdes is known for its curative powers. Over five million people visit Lourdes each year. We have much to be thankful for here at OLL. God has been very good to us and blessed us with many gifts of His love. May our Blessed Mother continue to watch over us and keep us close to Jesus.
Page 4 As you approach the church from the parking lot, you will first notice the beautiful outside doors made of sturdy oak. They were designed for the Gathering Space to make it handicap accessible. Like our own home, the doors welcome family and friends into our home. We are reminded of the words Jesus says to us, Knock and it shall be opened to you. (Lk.11:9) All who pass through these doors are welcomed by Christ and share in His life. As you enter the church you, will be in the Gathering Space In this space, your attention will be drawn to the FOUR HANGING LIGHT FIXTURES. These are from the original White Frame Church. They were taken out of storage, refinished and polished in 2001. (Left to right) Cross, Ship, HIS, Jesus Christ. The cross is the central image of our faith, for by the cross, Christ achieved our salvation. The ship is an ancient image of the church. She sails across the rough waters of life, carrying the pilgrims of Jesus to the promised shores of the Kingdom. The Gathering Space is embellished by beautiful stained glass windows, which are intertwined with four windows from the old Church (1966). The Eucharist (bread & wheat), The Eucharist (wine & grapes), The lily and tools represent St. Joseph, The roses and water represent the appearance of Mary at Lourdes, France) and four new ones all designed by parishioner Dee Fagedes. The four new windows representing Baptism, Alpha, Omega, and Matrimony for the new church were created by River City Glass Company, Northern Kentucky and made by parishioner David Danenhauer. Our Lady of Lourdes Page 13 ST. THERESA, LITTLE FLOWER is made of plaster and was purchased by Fr. Lamott. INFANT OF PRAGUE is made of p l a s t e r, 1927. Devotion to the infant Jesus, c e l e br a t e s the Child of God - the great mystery of the incarnation. The child in all of us believes in the humanity and the divinity of Christ, and rejoices in God s caring love for us. ST ANTHONY - is made of plaster and was in the White Frame Church, 1927. It was refurbished by alumni and parishioner Aimee Wolf Reilly in 2001.
Page 12 Our Lady of Lourdes Page 5 THE STATUES around our Church OUR LADY OF LOURDES is made of Linden wood and was hand carved in Italy by the Moroder Co in 2001. THE RISEN CHRIST The Risen Christ statue was purchased in 2001. It is made of Linden wood and was hand painted by the artisans from the studio of Conrad Moroder i n O r t i s e i, I t a l y. SACRED HEART AND ST. JOSEPH are made of Linden wood and were purchased in 1981 BAPTISTRY FONT The font itself by its shape is octagon; (eight sided) calling to mind an ancient expression within the Church. God created the world in six days and on the seventh day He rested. This was the Sabbath Day, Saturday. With Christ rising from the dead on Sunday He inaugurated a new creation. It is called the eighth day. God is beginning something new for the world through Jesus. Each time we dip our hands into the bowl, each person baptized, each casket sprinkled, we are reminded that we are connected to God through Christ by Baptism and we are united together by our common baptism as well. FULFILLING OUR DREAM MEMORIAL BOOK On the wall by the entrance is a permanent memorial book which lists all of the dedicated and generous people who donated time, treasure and talent to the renovation of our Church and expansion of our beautiful campus. AS WE LEAVE THE GATHERING SPACE, ENTERING THE MAIN BODY OF THE CHURCH OUR EYES FOCUS ON:
Page 6 Our Lady of Lourdes Page 11 The ALTAR is the most important part of the Church because it represents Christ who is the center for Our Lady of Lourdes parish family. It is a symbol of Christ, strong, sturdy, the center of worship of our Church. It is made of oak and contains the front and side panels from the 1966 altar, which are made of Botticino marble. The altar, ambo, credence table, and the pedestals for the statues were made by the Wittrock Company. Our beautiful Stained Glass windows from the previous Church (1966): Madonna & Child, Christ & Little Children, and the Risen Christ surround the Archive Room. A Beautiful HAND-CARVED CRUCIFIX hangs above the altar to remind us that the connection of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the same sacrifice offered on the altar each time Mass is celebrated. THE ANGELS AND SCRIPT PAINTED above the Altar were done by professional artist, Andrea Frangiosa. This project was a gift from several parishioner families in honor of the 80th anniversary of our parish in 2007. PROCESSIONAL CRUCIFIX AND STAND behind the present altar were designed and crafted by parishioner Lou Cassaro. The Corpus was taken from the Cross that hung in the sacristy prior to the renovated church. THURIBLES where incense is burned are from the original Church.
Page 10 Our Lady of Lourdes Page 7 The ARCHIVE ROOM is the old entrance to the Church. The cross and stained glass hanging was designed by parishioner Dee Fagedes. THE PIETA...was purchased in 1967 by Fr. Lamott. It was purchased through Amerigo di Martino Barsanti and is made of Carrara marble. The Pieta was donated by Katherine Huelsman. Stand donated by Florence Bruns, our sacristan and housekeeper for many years. ARCHIVE DISPLAY along the wall was built by parishioner Dan Locaputo, Dave Wittrock, and friends and was dedicated to Sr. Ann Mary Lay, RSM, on May 23, 2004 in gratitude for her many years of devotion to OLL as our pastoral minister and archivist. PEWS AND CHAIRS were purchased in 2001 from Sauder Mfg., Archbold, Ohio. The Church seats approximately 964 people. The pews from the previous Church are being used at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Peoples, Ohio. TO THE LEFT OF THE ALTAR AND AROUND THE REAR OF CHURCH CHAPEL OF RESERVATION was designed as a place where the Tabernacle containing consecrated hosts are reserved and is a space for private prayer. Our TABERNACLE dates back to the church when it was in the current school gym in the 1960 s. The rail protecting this space is from the 1966 church communion rail made of Botticino Marble top. The candleholders are made of brass and marble. They were purchased by Fr. Lamott in 1966. SANCTUARY LIGHTS were newly purchased in 2001. Rail protecting this space is from the 1966 church communion rail which had Botticino Marble top. HOLY WATER FONTS were purchased in 1981 and refurbished by parishioner Larry Stock in 2001. As we enter and leave it is tradition to bless ourselves with Holy Water to remind ourselves who we are by baptism, children of God, and that our mission is to go forth and share the Good News of Jesus.
Page 8 SACRISTY 1966. is in the original space when Church was erected in PRESENT SACRISTY CROSS was donated by Ed and Betty Burke in memory of their son, James Edward who died October 25, 1967, at age 18, from cancer. It had Previously hung above the Altar (1981). Our Lady of Lourdes Page 9 FOURTEEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS are from school gym church, cleaned and refurbished by parishioners Dee Fagedes and Lynn Stock in 2001. STAINED GLASS WINDOWS of 1966 that were behind the choir, are now in the sacristy and in confessionals to the right of altar. SOUND SYSTEM was purchased from Nor-Com. PIANO is a Wurlitzer purchased in 2001 and has an electric attachment. Cost $15,000.00. This was donated anonymously. VOTIVE CANDLE AREA ORGAN was dedicated in memory of Mary Lou Walters, special aunt of parishioners Gary and Dina Gruber on May 19, 2013. TWO CONFESSIONALS next to organ and choir space are in their original space, plus the mosaic glass windows from the old church have been added. It is here that the sinner is reconciled to the Lord and to the Church. The CRY ROOM was erected in the space that had been two confessionals in our old church. PLAQUES on the side wall are erected in honor of our past pastors. The first plaque purchased was of Fr. Lamott after his death. Msgr. Tensing s plaque was put up when he retired. The first two pastor s, Fr. Biendl and Fr. Grunkemeyer, were crafted and hung after Fr. Edward Rudemiller arrived.