St. Wenceslaus Parish marking 150 years
Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer
September will be a month of celebration at the Church of St. Wenceslaus in New Prague, as the Catholic parish will celebrate its 150th anniversary, as well as the 100th anniversary of the church building.
Open to the public, there will be free activities at the church on each of the next four weekends. A variety of events, from lunches to displays, will highlight the different periods in the parish's history. A 68-page parish history book will also be available for sale.
September 8 and 9
The first weekend of programs is September 8 and 9, with organ music featured at all the Masses. Dr. Jim Keane is the organist at the 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, Mass. At the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, Masses, the organist is Sister Anita Smisek, former liturgical music director at the parish. Refreshments will be served after the 5 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses.
Archbishop Harry Flynn will be the celebrant at the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
Following all the Masses, there will be an open house of the new Faith Formation/Youth Ministry Center, Little Spirits Preschool and St. Wenceslaus School. People can also view The Holy Family and Blessed Mother with Children of the World statues.
On Sunday, there will be several events. Immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass will be a dedication and blessing program for the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel.
This is being done in honor and gratitude to the School Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee, WI, who served the parish from 1883 to 1999. There will also be on display in the parish activity center The History of Nuns in the Parish.
At 11:30 a.m. the Council of Catholic Women will serve a light lunch in the parish activity center and a historical tour of the church will be held at 1:30 p.m. Those participating should gather in the main church.
September 15 and 16
The parish will participate in Dozinky, New Prague's annual Czech Harvest Festival, on September 15 and 16 with polka music at all the Masses. Refreshments will be served after both Sunday services.
Sister Catherine McInnis, a Benedictine nun who has served the New Prague community for 55 years at Queen of Peace Hospital, will be the grand marshal for the Dozinky Parade Saturday at noon.
Historical tours of the church will be given on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. On display in the parish activity center will be History of Music in the Parish.
September 22 and 23
The weekend of September 22 and 23 birthday cards can be handed in during the Masses and donuts will be served after the Sunday services.
Children and families are invited to create birthday cards honoring the church's patron saint and celebrating 1,100 years since St. Wenceslaus' birth. The cards are also to honor the 100-year anniversary of the present church and the parish's 150th anniversary.
The cards will be collected during the offertory time at all Masses. The cards will then be on display the next weekend in the parish activity center.
On display in the parish activity center on September 22 and 23 will be a History of Social Justice
