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St. Joseph’s Parish History Clarissa Minnesota 1896 – 2005 Back to Home Page Back to St. Joseph's Page The origin of St. Joseph’s parish in the community of Clarissa came about when several Catholic families moved into the area sometime after 1887. Among them were Peter Lavoie, Thomas Warner, Marshall Ringey, Henry Vakoc, and George A. Etzell. The first small frame church was built on the north side of town by the parishioners with the help of many Protestant neighbors. In 1896, there was enough of a congregation to establish a mission served by Father Henry Leuthner, pastor of St. Peter’s in Browerville, who came on Saturday mornings to say Mass. The first recorded baptism (of Marie Cecilia Henry) took place on July 26th, 1896 and was administered by Father Joseph Dudek. On September 10, 1902 the Article of Incorporation in behalf of the Church of St. Joseph were drawn up and signed by Father Henry Leuthner, who served as pastor from August 1902 to September 1905. The small mission parish continued to be served by Father Matthew Billmayr (October 1905 to July 1933), Father Paul Kuick (July 1933 to November 1938), and Father J. Bussmann (November 1938 – 1940), who also served as pastors of St. Peter’s in Browerville at that time. In 1940, Father Aloysius J. Steines, became the first resident pastor. This Crosier Father stayed at the home of George and Ida Etzell. Father Steines organized the first CYO (Christian Youth Organization) in our parish. In August 1941, Father Norbert Hinnenkamp became pastor of our parish. A Catholic rectory had been purchased from the Fimon family and it was renovated by the parishioners. This Fimon house remained the rectory until it was destroyed by fire in October of 2004. Father Hinnenkamp taught the first “release time” classes from the Clarissa Public School at the rectory. When Father Frederick Kampsen arrived in October of 1947, the number of families in the parish had increased considerably. Many families of the Bohemian and German lineage had settled in the surrounding countryside. The frame church was no longer adequate to serve the needs of the growing parish. Under the direction of Father Kampsen, plans for a new larger church with a full basement were made. Late in April 1951, work on the new church began. By May 10, 1951 the construction of the new house of God was well ahead of schedule and on July 19, 1951 the brick-laying segment was near completion. It was during this time the cornerstone was encased on the front wall of the church. On November 9, 1952 Most Reverend Peter W. Bartholome, Bishop of the St. Cloud Diocese, performed the Rite of Dedication. Approximately 400 parishioners, over 60 priests, and many visitors were present. Father Wilfred Birk served as pastor from October 1954 to September 1955 and Father Roscoe Finnegan took over pastoral duties from September 1955 until June 1957. Father Finnegan’s heart yearned to be with the servicemen serving our country, and he eventually became a chaplain in the Armed Forces. In June 1957, Father Theodore Parteka became pastor of St. Joseph’s and remained until June of 1958. Our next pastor, Father David Sheldon (June 1958 to August 1960), visited many homes and dedicated parishioners to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He introduced the special week Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions. Father Sheldon did writing and lecturing on stewardship later in life. In August 1960, Father Raymond Donnay became pastor and in November 1961 was replaced by Father Alfred Heltemes who introduced the New Horizons Program, a 3-year diocesan fund-raising program in the St. Cloud Diocese. A number of changes took place in the Catholic Church during this time. A new altar was built and the priest began to face the people while offering Mass. Kneeling, while receiving Holy Communion was discontinued, and we were allowed to receive in our hand while standing. English replaced Latin in the Mass on November 29, 1964. Lay persons became more active in the celebration of the Mass, serving as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. More recently, girls were allowed to be Mass servers. The final payment on St. Joseph’s Church was made on November, 1967! On December 1, 1967 Father Robert Ekman, became pastor and was followed by Father Walter Bednark (July 1970 to June 1974) and Father Kenneth LaPan T.O.R., (July 1974 to June 1981). Father Eugene Meemken became pastor on July 1, 1981. Father Meemken and Paula Verkennis, his faithful housekeeper, who died on May 19th, 1984, came from St. Stanislaus Parish in Perham. Father Meemken helped get the Renew Program started. This was a Scripture study in which nearly the entire parish participated. Also during the time, a social gathering of coffee and rolls was held twice a month after Mass. This created a time for young and old to get to know each other. This practice continues today on special occasions. On July 1, 1987, St. Isidore’s Parish of Moran Township was added to Father Meemken’s duties. In June of 1988, Vern Thelen, a parishioner, became the first deacon in our parish. Under the guidance of Father Meemken, a major remodeling of the front of the church took place in 1992. It included the addition of a ground floor entrance, a gathering room, and an elevator which provides handicapped accessibility to all levels of the church. Father Meemken continued his service as pastor until June 30, 2003 at which time he officially retired. He continues to serve the Church in a spiritual capacity by holding several Masses weekly at St. Joseph’s & St. Isidore’s and at the Central Todd County Care Center. On July 1, 2003, the parish became part of a tri-parish cluster, along with St. Isidore’s of Moran and Christ the King of Browerville and is administered by Father John Caskey who resides in Browerville. The parish rectory was destroyed by fire on October 29, 2004. The parish council voted not to rebuild because we no longer had a resident priest. In April of 2005, the remains of the rectory were torn down and replaced with a parking lot, thus making the church more closely accessible. Today, several organizations continue to serve the parish. The education of the youth continues by volunteers who teach Release Time during the school year. Summer Bible School is offered in conjunction with Christ the King in Browerville. St. Theresa’s Circle, which was established by Fr. Robert Eckman on February 24th, 19070, for the benefit of the ladies, who have reached the age of 65, may enjoy prayer and social activities at a monthly gathering in the church basement. There were five ladies present at the first meeting at which Father Eckman presided and the original dues were 25 cents. The first club president was Mrs. Alex Wodash. Today, there are ten active members. Marie Hudalla is the president, Myra Ducklet is the Vice-president and Carmel Young is the Secretary/Treasurer. St. Mary’s Mission Group, and auxiliary to the Diocesan Propagation of Faith established by Bishop Bartholome, meets monthly. Projects the ladies work on include sewing of quilts, cancer pads and lap robes. Most recently the parish contributed 400 dental hygiene bags to the mission office in St. Cloud to be sent to Guatemala. The current president is Rose Petersen and Josephine Sobotka is the current secretary/treasurer. All adult members of the parish are members of the St. Joseph’s Activity Group. This group is responsible to providing funeral lunches, organizing the annual Fall Festival and other parish functions which include: coffee and rolls at First Communion and Graduation, a birthday party at the Central Todd County Care Center, and any other parish undertaking which require their service. The history of St. Joseph’s shows that there has always been a core of hard-working, faithful parishioners, who with the leadership of many dedicated pastors, have made our parish a real “home” to all of us. |