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Part 1

Part 2

An Early Family

SPRING VALLEY – When the members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their St. Patrick’s Day Lunch next Tuesday, they will be carrying on a tradition that is over 65 years old.

The year 2009 also marks the 125th anniversary of the church and church members have been busy putting together a schedule of events that honors and celebrates the history of this church and its members.

Last Thursday, eight members of Sacred Heart along with Brother Michael gathered in the CCD Building to share the history and the mission of their church with the Sun Argus. A cookbook, which contains not only recipes but also a historical narrative about the early church, was made available. A scrapbook and other bound documents were also on the table.

These people came prepared, and they also had great memories. When one couldn’t recall details, someone else could. The church, like so many small town churches, has a rich history; Sacred Heart traces its roots all the way back to 1884 before there was even a building in which to worship.

The absence of a building, however, didn’t keep those early charter members from worshipping. They gathered in a large hall over George Fox’s General Store in downtown Spring Valley to celebrate mass. A fire destroyed the store in 1901. Today Ms. Regina’s Preschool sits on the spot where the idea for a Catholic church in Spring Valley took root.

From 1884 to 1917, St. Joseph’s in El Paso was considered the parish; Sacred Heart, being the smaller of the two congregations, was considered the mission church. Father J. H. Stromberg, who lived in El Paso, served both congregations.

Construction on the first church began in 1903; it was dedicated in 1904 and in 1919 Sacred Heart in Spring Valley became the parish, El Paso the mission. One can only imagine the energy and the excitement in those early days. They had come a long way from meeting in a room above a store to having their very own church building. Then the flood came.

The 1942 flood affected so many lives destroying buildings and businesses along the way; Sacred Heart Catholic Church was no exception. Located near the Eau Galley River,, it was especially vulnerable to the floodwaters. Church records were destroyed and the building suffered considerable damage.

It must have been disheartening, but those early members were apparently ready and able to start again. Under the guidance of Fr. James Geyer who served the parish from 1952 to 1958, the present day church was built. It was dedicated on December 12, 1954 and had a seating capacity of 450.

The old church was used as a hall where dinners were served and meetings and receptions were held. Eventually the damaged building was torn down, and in 1964 the current CCD Center was built. It now stands where the original church once stood.

In 1987 a fire damaged the church, but once again members came together, and the church was renovated. Christmas Eve 1987 must have been a joyous celebration, not only because it was Christmas but also because members could once again worship in their church.

Newly installed stained glass windows given in memory of loved ones cast colored rays of light into the beautifully renovated church sanctuary. Long time member LaMoine Hanson was able to find an explanation of the windows. It reads in part, “This glass has the unique quality of transmitting and reflecting light, and if that’s not enough to boggle the mind, it shifts color in an ever changing chameleon fashion depending on the angle from which the glass is viewed.

The four windows depict the Nativity, the Resurrection, the Annunciation and Pentecost.

Today Sacred Heart is a vibrant congregation of approximately 200 households. Father Varkey Velickakathu serves two parishes - one in Spring Valley and one in Elmwood; both claim Sacred Heart as their name.

Brother Michael resides across the street from the church in Spring Valley. “I live in the rectory and take up space,” he said with a smile adding, “They take care of me.”

Lorne Hanson was quick to respond, “You take care of us,” he said.

Brother Michael must be doing a good job of caring for the people at Sacred Heart. During his first tenure in Spring Valley, he served the congregation for nine years. “I left for 11 years and in 2005, they invited me back,” he explained. Lorne stated what appeared to be the general consensus of those around the table. “Don’t you ever leave again,” he said.

An all-volunteer staff helps to maintain the church. Members take care of everything from secretarial to custodial duties. Mary Lansing serves as chairperson of the Pastoral Council while Kevin Larson is chairperson of the Finance Council.

Other members volunteer for positions of teachers, hospitality ministers, Eucharistic ministers, and choir director. And of course, no church thrives or even survives without the dedicated people who serve on the many different committees. At Sacred Heart those committees include Buildings and Ground, Worship, Education, Finance, Peace and Justice, Quilting and PCCW (Parish Council of Catholic Women).

Sacred Heart holds two fund-raisers throughout the year. The younger members sponsor a Salad Bar Luncheon. All money raised is used to send young people to the Steubenville North Youth Rally held yearly at the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic university in St. Paul, MN.

The second fundraiser is the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Lunch. The meal will be served from 11:00-1:30 on Tuesday, March 17. For $8.00 lunch goers will be treated to a ham dinner with all the fixings including mashed potatoes, beans, coleslaw and some mouth watering homemade pies. Be sure to mark your calendar and come hungry.

Next week the Sun Argus will feature the rest of the interview with Brother Michael and nine members of Sacred Heart. The ministry within the church and its outreach programs will be shared with our readers.

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Sacred Heart Celebrating 125 years of Ministry

Part 2
By Kaye Bird
SunArgus/Gateway Publishing
March 18, 2009

SPRING VALLEY – When Brother Michael and eight members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church met with the Sun Argus two weeks ago, they spoke about the ministry of their church.

Eight members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church along with Brother Michael, share the ministry and history of their church. First row: Tom Ryan, Brother Michael, LaMoine Hanson, Lorne Hanson. Second row: Gloria Ryan, Mickey Traynor, Rose Hovde, Genevieve Miller, and Genevieve Ducklow. Photo by Kaye Bird

That ministry includes support for members of the congregation and for those beyond the church doors. For Brother Michael and others, it all begins with liturgy. “The liturgy is the focal point for many people,” explained Brother Michael. “If it doesn’t happen at liturgy, it doesn’t happen.”

“Our emphasis is on the liturgy,” he continued. “It is the most beautiful part of the service. We are then sent out.”

It is through this liturgy that God speaks to His people, fills them with love and then sends them out into the world to pass along this love. They are called to do what is right in the sight of God, and the people of Sacred Heart are doing many things right.

To begin with, they are faithful supporters of the local Food Shelf. The general consensus around the table that day was amazement at all the food that is provided by the people of Spring Valley.

In addition to monetary gifts and food donations, the women of the church also make quilts, which are then donated to local families and to Turning Point, a shelter for victims of abuse in River Falls. “Sometimes we give these quilts to those who have had a fire,” said Lamoine Hanson adding, “We meet every other Wednesday through the winter; we make a dozen or more quilts a year.”

In addition, the church makes regular donations to Catholic Relief – an organization that touches the lives of 80 million people in 98 countries through programs devoted to agriculture, education, emergency preparedness, health, and small business loans.

The youth of Sacred Heart are actively involved in the Sharing and Caring Hands Center, located in downtown Minneapolis. They make regular trips to the Center to help serve meals to the poor and homeless.

Another way that the young people of Sacred Heart carry God’s message is through their choir called, “Voices of Joy,” In addition to singing at church, the choir has also sung at youth rallies throughout the area.

In the summer, Sacred Heart, along with other churches in the area, supports Vacation Bible School – an ecumenical event for children in grades four through six.

Within the church there is a strong education program for its members. CCD classes are held on Wednesday and Sunday morning for the younger members. Currently there are 128 members in grades K-12.

Genevieve Ducklow leads the Ladies Bible Program, something she has been doing for the past 35 years. How about the men? “We pray,” said Lorne Hanson.

Members of Sacred Heart are very serious about prayer, and nowhere is that more evident than during the Eucharistic Adoration held year round from 5:00 p.m. Thursday to 8:00 p.m. on Friday.

During this vigil, members pray for one hour each in the Eucharistic Chapel next to the sanctuary. They kneel or sit before the Monstrance, which contains the Consecrated Host. This is placed in front of the Tabernacle. “We pray for the needs of the church and for all the world,” explained Brother Michael.

Genevieve Miller, one member who regularly participates in this 27 hour vigil said, I just want to be there; I can’t be without it.”

Members also pray outside in the Prayer Garden also known as the Peace Garden, which is located between the church and the CCD Center. Some choose to walk through the garden while saying the Rosary.

An adult choir provides an opportunity for the people of Sacred Heart to become involved in worship. Members can also serve as Hospitality Ministers or Eucharistic Ministers. Eucharistic Ministers are trained and commission to help with the distribution of communion.

Sacred Heart has been an inspiration to many of its members. Father Carl Zimmer, missionary to New Guinea was raised in the parish, as was Sister Alice Thome who served in various locations throughout the United States. Others are proud to report that family members have become nuns or sisters and are currently serving the church in this capacity.

Following another successful St. Patrick’s Day Dinner held last Sunday, the congregation is now looking ahead to other events that will honor and celebrate the church’s proud history.

Some of these events include a visit by Doris Murphy on May 31. Doris will speak about the various ministries of the Parish. A renewal of marriage vows for all couples is scheduled in June, and on July 26, Bishop Jerome Listecki will celebrate the 125th Anniversary Mass; a luncheon will follow.

Members of the congregation will also be honored during this anniversary year including the choir, teachers, lectors, students, etc. On November 8, a 10:30 Mass honoring all deceased members interred in both the Sacred Heart and El Paso Cemeteries will be held.

Msgr. Richard Giles will celebrate the closing Mass of this anniversary year on December 27.

Sacred Heart has a rich history in Spring Valley. The church inspires and supports its members in so many ways. In response to God’s love, they are “sent out” as Brother Michael said, and that has made a difference. Locally and throughout the world, people are touched by the generosity and compassion of those at Sacred Heart who take their calling as God’s people very seriously.

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For Sacred Heart Catholic Church, it’s a Family Affair
By Kaye Bird
SunArgus/Gateway Publishing
March 18, 2009

The congregation of Sacred Heart Catholic Church is proud of its many fourth and fifth generation families that are and have been active members of the church since its early days.

One particular family goes one generation further. Mary Ann Richardson can trace her family’s membership in Sacred Heart all the way back to 1906 when her great grandparents, Theodore and Johanna Noterman moved from Shakopee, Minnesota to Spring Valley.

According to a family history written by their daughter, Rose Noterman Howard (Richardson’s grandmother), the Noterman family moved to Spring Valley when they learned there was a hardware store for sale.

This five-page single spaced memoir, written in 1983 is an absolute treasure. Rose recounts everything she can remember about her childhood in Spring Valley. Here is what she remembers about Sacred Heart.

“The Catholic church was on the corner of backstreet across from what is now the Catholic parsonage. The priest for our church lived in the country (El Paso) and came on Saturday every two weeks for Mass and catechism. He and his housekeeper stayed at our house.”

The priest and the housekeeper made the communion wafers. It obviously impressed Rose. Here’s what she remembers. “I went home with them one time. On Saturday they made hosts for communion It was an iron, something like an old waffle iron, only smaller. They put it on the burner and poured a paste made of flour and water – quite thin – when it was cooked, they took it out and broke it into small pieces This was the communion wafers for the next day.” She added as an afterthought, “Still puzzles me.”

Today Richardson’s six grandchildren attend the same church that their great-great grandparents attended.

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