1C

OCT. 9, 2018

Celebrating
100 ANNIVERSARY TH
of the ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
and
200TH ANNIVERSARY
of the VINCENTIAN MINISTRY IN PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI

REMEMBER THIS moment.

cherish THIS STORY.
CELEBRATE THIS time.

O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 1 8 • A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E R E P U B L I C - M O N I T O R •
2C • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES | The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com

AN
St. Mary's of
the Barren

1818

INTEGRAL
PART OF THE
Vincentians
arrive in
Perryville

COMMUNITY
BY HEATHER C. WENTZ frequented by many Perryville residents and was nominat-
hcook@anderson.edu ed as Business of the Year for 2008. Apart from the funds
needed for continued operation, any profit goes toward
This weekend, thousands will gather at the St. Mary’s of
outreach to the poor and services to the needy, accord-
the Barrens campus to celebrate the 100th anniversary of
ing to Fr. Rich Wehrmeyer of the St. Vincent de Paul Cath-
the Association of the Miraculous Medal and the 200th an-
olic Church.
niversary of the Vincentians’ arrival in Perryville.
With the same devotion, Claire Schemel of the Ladies of
But, in a way, this celebration is also about the growth
Charity, her husband Rick, and other volunteers operate a
and development of the city itself in the last two centuries.
food pantry near the St. Vincent Elementary School on St.
Although the campus lies on the outskirts of Perryville,
Joseph Street.
its history predates the incorporation of the town by near-
1822 ly two decades. In fact, historian Fr. John Rybolt of DePaul At the Association of the Miraculous Medal, established
in 1918, 55 employees carry on a legacy of faith and hope,
University would argue that the Vincentians’ establishment
boasting an average longevity of 30 years’ employment.
of a seminary at the Barrens in 1818 drew a large popula-
The seminary grounds have become a place of reflec-
tion to the area in the first place. The foundation in Perryville
St. Mary’s tion and healing for all community members.
was, in fact, the first Vincentian establishment in the Unit-
Seminary According to CEO Don Fulford, the organization has also
ed States.
greatly contributed to the health and well-being of the
College Since that time, the Vincentian influence and focus on
post office in Perryville through their direct mail business.
charity has pervaded nearly every aspect of the commu-
becomes On a global level, the Association receives correspon-
nity.
first college dence from every state and 35 countries, carrying on the
St. Vincent de Paul School was founded in 1896 as a
mission of their forefathers to spread the message of spiritu-
incorporated feeder school for the seminary, and has since grown to en-
al inspiration and encouragement.
roll more than 500 students. Each year, members of the high
by the state These are just a few ways in which the Vincentians and
school must work toward a graduation requirement of at
the Association have shaped the local community and be-
of Missouri least 80 hours of community service or service to the school,
yond.
and most surpass that goal. St. Vincent youth also partici-
Visitors from 30 states and as far as Puerto Rico will de-
pate yearly in a mission called “Operation Overhaul.”
scend on the town this weekend to take part in the cele-
Graduates of the school and members of the church
bration — especially recognizing 95 years of service by the
have come to hold many influential roles as business own-
Daughters of Charity — that will kick off another century
ers, city officials, education and faith leaders, catalysts in
of Vincentian Catholic heritage in Perry County and in the
the effort to raise the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in
United States.
Perryville, and more.
The Seminary Picnic, first held in 1901, has grown beyond
a parish picnic into a sort of Perryville homecoming that
takes place over the first weekend of August each year.
The St. Vincent Thrift Store, established in 2005 by Ed
Schumer with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, is known and

1825
CATHOLIC HOME STUDY
Left to right: Penny Frayer &
Cheryl Callier, Executive Director
Circa 1825,
Rosati Cabin

“
is built.
Used by My wife’s Hayden and Cissell families were some of the first Catholic families to come to Perry County
and invite the Vincentians to come to this area. Six generations later, Marge and I were married in the Assumption
Bishop Rosati
Church. The Vincentians and the Daughters of Charity educated us, our children and our grandchildren. They and

”
as a sacristy the AMM Shrine Church have been very important in our lives for many generations.
to the old CHAUNCEY CARRON, PERRYVILLE

log church.
ADMINISTRATION
Center: Don Fulford, President & CEO, 5 years,
Wess Sparkman, Finance Director 15 years, &
Renee Brueckner, Operations Director, 34 years

Congratulations
ns

ON CELEBRATING
Perryville is BLESSED
atio

100 & 200 YEARS!

Shear Images to have had the

tul

1827 BEAUTY SALON VINCENTIAN MINISTRY

gra

333 N. MAIN ST. PERRYVILLE, MO 63775 for 200 years and the
Con

(573) 547-3555
Association of the
MIRACULOUS MEDAL
Cornerstone
is laid for the
for 100 years,
Church of the serving all of us.
Assumption
I would be HONORED to serve
Perry County with your support.

CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDING COMMISSIONER

Paid for by Candidate

Celebrating 200 Years!

V I N C E N T I A N M I N I S T R I E S - S T. M A RY O F T H E B A R R E NS S E M I NA RY
The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com | AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES Tuesday, October 9, 2018 • 3C

THE FIRST IN THE 1830

NEW WORLD St. Mary’s

Seminary
College
BY HEATHER C. WENTZ inarians migrated becomes first
hcook@anderson.edu to the east for a
time. college
St. Vincent de Paul, a French-born Roman Catholic
“Just before authorized by
priest of the 17th century, was best known for his focus
the Civil War,
on charity, on his mission of “preaching the gospel to the Missouri
the guys moved
the poor, especially the poor country people”.
all the Vincen- General
In fact, he was named the patron saint of charitable
tian seminarians Assembly to
societies.
to Philadelphia,”
This focus has spanned the course of 400 years and grant collegiate
Rybolt said. “The
continues to be a driving force for St. Vincent School
in Perryville and the parish as a whole. But how did the seminary closed from degrees
1850s until about 1885,
teachings of a French priest of the 1600s reach a small
and during that time the
Midwestern town on the banks of the Mississippi?
only thing that was there was
Nearly two decades after Saint Vincent de Paul
the parish.”
founded the Congregation of the Mission in 1625, Louis
Near Perryville, several small parishes in Brewer, Bieh-
William Valentine Dubourg, bishop of Louisiana, re-
le, Lithium, Belgique, and Sereno also came under the
turned to Europe to recruit members of the brother-
care and guidance of the Vincentians.
hood to set roots in New Orleans and help establish a
On a national level, the expansion of the Vincen-
seminary.
A small group of priests accepted the mission, and tian mission led to a series of reorganizations into two 1835
provinces, then as many as five, then three, finally re-
spent nearly a year in France in order to study the na-
joining into two provinces in 2010. According to Rybolt,
tive language of that region before learning that the
the principal reason for these changes was the difficul-
tentative location had been changed to St. Louis, an
ty and then improvement in long-distance travel as the
area that spoke primarily English.
provincial attempted to perform his duties throughout
After a month-long journey by boat, the group finally
the US. Struggles in both finances and personnel also
arrived on American soil on July 26, 1816, and traveled Circa 1835,
contributed to the reorganization of provinces.
to Bardstown, Kentucky. in order to continue their stud-
In his book The American Vincentians, Rybolt noted Vincentian
ies in French and English before making the rest of their
that after the Great Depression, the financial throes of
journey to St. Louis. Community
the American Vincentians subsided and were instead
“They were the first [Vincentians] in the new world,”
replaced by an increase in professionalism and ac- Cemetery
said Fr. John Rybolt, a Vincentian scholar in residence at
counting. It was at this time that the Vincentians also
DePaul University in Chicago.
widened their perspective to begin foreign missions,
Not long after the priests arrived in St. Louis, they were
which continue to this day.
approached by delegates from the Barrens Settlement
“The Western province and the Eastern province
in what would become Perryville, Mo. The delegates of-
both went to China in the middle of the 20th century,
fered a tract of 640 acres of land, purchased from Igna-
in the 1920s and 1930s, and then the war came along
tius Layton, for use in constructing a seminary. The dele-
and then the communist revolution,” said Rybolt, add-
gates were driven by their hope to acquire the services
ing that the missions extended to Taiwan as well. “More
of a resident priest, rather than the occasional visits of a
recently, our folks have started in Kenya … and in Ni-
touring clergyman.
geria and Ethiopia and several countries in Africa. We
“They made the offer, and Bishop Dubourg accept-
have a number of places in Asia besides Taiwan.”
ed it,” Rybolt said. “When the building was more or less
Rybolt named the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia,
finished, they moved to Perryville. They had to stay with
and Australia as just a few global missions.
people in the settlement there.”
In Perryville, although the seminary finally closed in
The seminary officially opened on Oct. 2, 1818.
1985, the educational foundations of the Vincentians
With roots more or less established in Perryville — con-
continue in the St. Vincent School, established in 1896.
struction continued for a good while after the official
“The presence of the Vincentians has been import- 1837
move in 1818 — the Vincentians began to expand their
ant for the growth of Perryville,” Rybolt said. “People
outreach in the American mission. The brothers found-
moved there partly because of the Vincentians being
ed several educational establishments, some of which
there.”
were to become major universities, such as St. Louis Uni-
On a national level, the Vincentian influence, particu-
versity, DePaul University in Chicago, St. John’s Universi-
larly the focus on charity and outreach to the poor, con-
ty and Niagara University in New York. Meanwhile, the
tinues to be a guiding force for many Catholics in New
Vincentians also founded several Catholic settlements
York, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, Den- Church is
as close as Cape Girardeau and as far as Texas and
ver, Los Angeles and several other locations — 200 years completed and
Chicago.
after the initial establishment in southeast Missouri.
As the years went on, major events in American histo- consecrated
ry resulted in a series of moves: the central house of the
American Province shifted from its humble beginnings
in Perryville to a new location in St. Louis, and the sem-

“ ”
I love attending daily mass at the Shrine of the Virgin Mary.  It means the world to me.
CLAIRE SCHEMEL, PERRYVILLE

TOUR GUIDES
Left to right: Erline Welker, Janet Killian,
Norma Bauwens, Pat Klump, & Sergia Pecaut

Saint Vincent de Paul 1850

Parish & Schools Congratulations on 100 years
are proud to be part of this & 200 years of Accomplishments!

historic celebration for the

Association of the Miraculous ROCKY SCHUMER
Medal and the Vincentian
Ministry in Perryville.
CONSTRUCTION CO. Rosati Hall

1010 Rosati Court, Perryville MO 63775

(573) 547-4300

Celebrating 200 Years!

V I N C E N T I A N M I N I S T R I E S - S T. M A RY O F T H E B A R R E NS S E M I NA RY
4C • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES | The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com

1913 AN INFLUENTIAL MAN

BY HEATHER C. WENTZ For a time, Rosati served as superior of Saint Mary’s Seminary,
Church is hcook@anderson.edu
enlarged and Most Perryvillians recognize the name Rosati because of Rosa-
face changed ti’s Cabin, a coveted backdrop for prom photos on the campus
of St. Mary’s of the Barrens. But the origin story for the log cabin’s
from Tuscan to name isn’t clear — some argue that it was Bishop Joseph Rosa-
Romanesque ti’s residence during his days at the seminary, and others contend
that it must have been an early school building.
architecture. According to Vincentian historian Fr. John Rybolt of DePaul
Ornamental University in Chicago, regardless of its original purpose, the signifi-
cance of the cabin is in its historical relevance as an artifact from
Rose Window the early days of the seminary.
as the first bishop of St. Louis, and eventually was appointed by De
added, painting “We don’t really know the story; that’s the real truth, I think,” Ry-
Andreis as superior of the American mission.
bolt said. “There are stories about what it served for, but you can
of Murillos “People liked him, we know that,” said Rybolt. “I think he was a
barely fit two or maybe three people in there. It’s just a place. The
good bishop eventually. He was careful about things, and he was
Assumption of story about it is basically lost.”
a good record keeper. It’s thanks to him that we have some of the
Although the purpose of the cabin remains a mystery, the sig-
the Blessed earliest memories of the founding of the mission in the U.S.”
nificance of the man after whom it is named does not. Rosati was
In his book on the American Vincentians, Rybolt noted Rosati’s
Virgin Mary a founding member of the seminary in Perryville and continued to
attention to detail in his description of one meager meal on Easter
be a driving force of the American mission throughout his life.
arrives from Sunday that included beans, an omelet, and hazelnuts.
Rosati joined the American mission at the request of Felix De An-
While a leader of the American mission, Rosati’s greatest ac-
Germany and is dreis, a former teacher and a close friend who had been recruit-
complishments included the establishment of St. Mary’s of the Bar-
ed by Louis William Valentine Dubourg, a bishop of Louisiana. Rosati
placed on wall rens Seminary, as well as the school that would become Saint Louis
was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 10, 1811, and originally set
University, and the construction of the first Cathedral of St. Louis.
out in 1816 with a group of Vincentians in order to form an establish-
“At some point, [the pope] asked Rosati to have a kind of em-
ment and start a seminary in Louisiana. The location was changed
bassy in the Caribbean,” Rybolt said, “and so he went to Haiti and
to St. Louis, however, and not long after his arrival in that city, the
he [helped draw up] a kind of treaty between the church, the
1920 people of what would become Perryville appealed to Rosati and
his associates with an offer of land for the formation of a seminary.
Holy See, and the government of Haiti. He put it in his baggage
and went back to Rome to find that the government was over-
thrown.”
Rybolt explained that Rosati returned to the US only once, to or-
dain a bishop of St. Louis, before dying in Rome. His remains were
eventually removed back to St. Louis.
“I think he was a good leader and looked out for the people
1917-1920 and did what he had to do,” said Rybolt. “He was just honest and
Grotto is [cared] for the people that he was sent to serve.”

built by
seminarians PART TIME STAFF
Left to right: Danny Meyer, Grounds;
Kathy Meyer, Production;
Mary Helen Newell, Shrine Support;
& Gary Layton, Grounds.

...to the Vincentian Ministry and

3.5” x 2” 3.5” x 2” Association of the Miraculous Medal.
3.5”
3.5”xx2”2” We are proud the Vincentian
1920
Ministry and the Association
Kathy Donze
Kathy Donze
of the Miraculous Medal has
Kathy
Kathy Donze
Donze
Financial Advisor
.
called Perryville home. You
Financial
FinancialAdvisor
Advisor
8 W Ste Maries St
Nov. 11, 1920
. .
Financial Advisorhave
Perryville, MO 63775
88WWSte
SteMaries
MariesStSt
given Perry County
the guiding principles of
573-547-8269
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Archbishop Perryville,
Perryville,MO
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63775
Glennon 8 W Ste
573-547-8269
573-547-8269 Maries
Stcatholic Faith, Compas-
sion, Stewardship and
dedicates Perryville, MO 63775
community to excel and
the Grotto
573-547-8269 thrive. The people of the

Celebrating
region are proud to con-
gratulate you for 200 Years
of success and prosperity.
On behalf of the leaders of
Perryville and Perry County,
with you and our community!
past and present, we offer a
You are a blessing to
heartfelt congratulations the
Perry County and its citizens.
Vincentian Ministry for 200 years
and Association of Miraculous
Medal for 100 years of prosperity.

1930 When you succeed, the people of Perry

County succeed.

Perryville Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Perry County Commission,

1928-1930
Perry County Economic Development Authority,
Shrine of Our PROFESSINAL LAND SURVEYORS & ENGINEERING

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Exit 129 on I-55 • Perryville, Missouri

Celebrating 200 Years!

V I N C E N T I A N M I N I S T R I E S - S T. M A RY O F T H E B A R R E NS S E M I NA RY
The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com | AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES Tuesday, October 9, 2018 • 5C

ST. MARY’S GRAD BACK WHERE HE STARTED 1952

BY ROBERT COX munity, especially from Perryville, made it even better.
rcox@perryvillenews.com “There was a great connection between the people of the
town of Perryville,” Wehrmeyer said, “especially the Catholics,
For Rich Wehrmeyer, choosing to attend St. Mary’s Seminary in
obviously, and the seminarians and the others — the priests and
Perryville was an easy decision.
brothers and administrators — that were living at the seminary.”
“It was kind of a natural progression as I continued my discern-
“I just really enjoyed the small-town effect, and I guess that
ment and study for the priesthood,” said Wehrmeyer. “I gradu-
kind of comes from my experience of being from a small town
ated from high school and then came to Perryville for my colle- Joseph A.
originally.”
giate studies as a Vincentian seminarian.”
Wehrmeyer said some of his fondest memories included the Finney Library
Now, 35 years later, he’s right back where he started. For the
regular Sunday Masses, when the historic church at St. Mary’s,
past four years, Wehrmeyer, 57, has served as the associate pas-
consecrated in 1837, was often filled to the rafters.
tor at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Perryville, only a mile from the
“[Townspeople] used to come for Sunday Masses to pray to-
St. Mary’s campus.
gether with the community there,” Wehrmeyer said. “I think it was
“Of all places,” Wehrmeyer said, laughing.
because they enjoyed listening to the music. We had a great
Wehmeyer’s journey to priesthood began in1979, when the
music program, lots of contemporary sounds with drums, guitars,
Metropolis, Ill., native completed his high school studies at St. Vin-
piano, and all kinds of other instruments involved too. It was not
cent’s College in Cape Girardeau.
uncommon for the church to be filled with 200-300 people every
Wehrmeyer’s class at St. Vincent College was the final grad-
Sunday morning.
uating class at the school, which now houses part of Southeast
“It was a good experience to be able to be
Missouri State’s Riverfront campus.
involved with the community at large of Perryvil-
“Two of the buildings are the original
lians.”
seminary buildings for the old St. Vincent
The young seminarians often accompanied
College,” Wehrmeyer said.
priests as they conducted their duties all over
Perryville was just up the road, still close to
Perry County.
his family and seemed like a natural fit.
“We had weekend apostolic experiences,”
St. Mary’s of the Barrens Seminary was
Wehrmeyer said, “things like teaching Sunday
founded in 1818 as part of a push to bring
school or accompanying a priest to some par-
members of the Congregation of the Mis-
sion, also known as the Vincentian Fathers,
ishes or churches, a lot of the smaller ones
like Silver Lake, Highland, and the little small-
1965
to America in the wake of the Louisiana Pur-
er communities that we have, so we would
chase in 1803.
as seminarians be able to improve our skills as St. Mary’s
Bishop William DuBourg was appointed to
future ministers of the church by being able
spread the Catholic faith in that area, and of the Barrens
to assist in those kinds of experiences. And we
Father Felix DeAndreis, an Italian Vincentian,
also had the opportunity to bring prayer and serves as a
was recruited to lead a group to the Louisi-
spiritual activities for residents of local nursing
ana Purchase. Three years after they left Eu- Marian Shrine
homes as well.”
rope, Father Joseph Rosati, a member of the
After the seminary closed it doors, it was sever- after
first group, arrived at Perryville on Oct. 1, 1818.
al years before a plan was made to deal with the
Following the teachings of St. Vincent de St. Vincent de
now empty buildings.
Paul, who founded the order nearly 200 years before, the group’s
During the late 1990s, Southeast Missouri State University took Paul Church
main goals were to be of service to the poor and to educate
an interest in the library building, and the Vincentian Fathers
young men for the Catholic priesthood. is built as
reached an agreement with the university in 2000. Thousands of
From its humble log cabin beginnings through Wehrmeyer’s
books from the library were moved to DePaul University in Chi- the new
time, the seminary did just that, educating generations of young
cago, and in 2001, the keys were handed over to SEMO, which
men in philosophy and theology, until 1985, when the seminary parish church.
began renovations on the building, which now serves as the Per-
closed its doors just two years after Wehrmeyer’s graduation.
ryville Higher Education Center.
The complex was left to the priests and brothers to continue
After graduating from St. Mary’s with a bachelor’s degree in
programs that had been on going for years, including the care
philosophy, Wehrmeyer had a year of novitiate training in New
of various parishes in Perry County, the farm, religion by mail, the
Orleans. He then made his way to Denver, where he completed
archives, the Association of the Miraculous Medal, the care of re-
his master’s in divinity at the former St. Thomas Seminary in 1990
tired priests and brothers, and the community cemetery, dated
and returned to Missouri to serve as a deacon at St. Vincent’s
by its first burial in 1835.
Church in St. Louis. A year later, he was ordained as a priest, tak-
During Wehrmeyer’s studies at St. Mary’s, it was already evi-
ing his vows at the former seminary in Perryville.
dent that things were coming to a close.
The next 15 years were filled with stints in various Colorado par-
“It was diminishing, you know, in terms of the enrollment,
ishes, leading up to eight years serving in a seminary in Kenya.
the number of candidates for the priesthood and a few other
After his time in Africa, Wehrmeyer returned to the United States
things as well,” said Wehrmeyer, whose class consisted of 20 stu-
and was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul in Perryville.
dents out of approximately 60-75 seminarians. “All the buildings
were still around, but several of them were empty or at least half
In the end, Wehrmeyer said he’s happy to be back in Per- 1966
ryville, serving the same community he grew to know and love at
empty. There was a sense of — I’ll call it diminishment — that was
the start of his career, and especially to help them celebrate the
prevalent in the early 1980s.”
anniversary of the arrival of the Vincentian Fathers.
Despite that, Wehrmeyer still feels it was a good environment
“It’s a blessing to be involved in this 200th anniversary of the
for learning in an excellent location.
Vincentians coming here,” Wehrmeyer said. “Most people say it’s
“It was the place and, in particular, the grounds,” Wehrmeyer
just a number, you know, whatever, but, in fact, it’s a great way
said. “I guess it’s just the love of nature that I have. And being in a Church is
to remember our roots. It’s also a great way to celebrate who we
rural agricultural southeast Missouri — we had farm fields right out
are as a community of people. I don’t just mean the Catholic remodeled
next to our seminary there — it just kind of lent itself to a peace-
community of Perryville or Perry County, but all that are involved
ful atmosphere and environment for me in particular. And I real- and a large
in this process of coming to know Jesus Christ better in our lives.”
ly appreciated that, being able to be in the place that I was.”
marble altar is
And it wasn’t just the rural setting. Wehrmeyer said the com-

“
erected
The Association of the Miraculous Medal and Saint Mary of the Barrens have been promi-
nent members of the Perryville community for many years. Fifty years ago my father told stories about
their great legacy. Today their story is even better. We wish them a successful future and want them to

”
understand how much our community appreciates their contribution to our town.
FRANK ROBINSON, PERRYVILLE

PART TIME STAFF

Back row left to right: Barbara Norton, Gift Shop
Attendant; Frank Ryan, Volunteer Coordinator;
Julie Motley, Support Team Associate. Front row
left to right: Michelle Weiler, Digital Marketing; &
JoAnn Hansen, Computer Programmer.

WE ARE PROUD TO
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Stop by the bank to Congratulate
Steve and share some refreshments.
V I N C E N T I A N M I N I S T R I E S - S T. M A RY O F T H E B A R R E NS S E M I NA RY
9 Success Starts Here
6C • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES | The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com

1985
A BEACON OF HOPE
Seminary
BY HEATHER C. WENTZ In 1930, the Association built
closes hcook@anderson.edu a two-story office out of which
they operated for 40 years.
It was the last year of World War I, in the springtime. The
Business boomed in the
nation was hungry for hope, and seminary students of St.
1940s, during World War II,
Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville took it upon themselves
when members were dev-
to play a small part in lifting the spirits of their fellow Amer-
astated by the loss and
icans.
heartache of war and
On May 18, 1918, a group of seminarians, under the di-
sought comfort in their cor-
rection of Fr. William Musson, established the Association of
respondence with the As-
the Miraculous Medal, adopting as their emblem the sym-
sociation. The Associtation
bol that had come to light in 1830 as a Marian vision to St.
began to broadcast their no-
Catherine Laboure. The Miraculous Medal served as a re-
venas over radio, and, accord-
minder of faith in 19th century France, and grew in popular-
ing to Fulford, the person most fre-
ity across Europe and the world in the following years.
quently prayed for during those years
“100 million were given out in France in the first five
was Joseph Stalin.
years,” said Don Fulford, current CEO of the Association.
By 1971, under the direction of Fr. Charles Rice, the orga-
“It’s flying through Europe, by 1918 it’s really going, and the
nization moved to their current location on the campus of
Miraculous Medal, because it’s part Vincentian, starts tak-
St. Mary’s of the Barrens. After approximately 40 years of op-
ing root in Perryville exactly 100 years after St. Mary’s of the
erating off-campus, the Association had by then evolved
Barrens was settled. It was a message of hope and faith.”
into an independent entity; thus, although the closing of
In an effort to spread that message, the Association of
the seminary certainly influenced staffing, it did not signifi-
the Miraculous Medal began as a small organization that
cantly threaten the health of the Association.
provided emotional and spiritual support to those who
1993 wrote or called in with prayer requests, moral dilemmas, or
“Technology was changing — at one point we had
150 plus employees — and then the age of the computer
anything else that warranted priestly advice or comfort.
came in [with Fr. Shelby],” said Fulford. “You don’t need 150
“All the seminary students, all the people that were prac-
people typing letters anymore.”
ticing to become priests and brothers, did all the clerical
Although Fulford is the first non-clergyman to serve as
1993-1994 work,” said Fulford. “If they needed to respond to a letter,
CEO of the Association, three priests currently serve on a
they were the ones that did it.
Church is staff of 55 in advisory roles: Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M., Spir-
“So if I’m Sally in Boise, Idaho, and I have a deep ques-
itual Director; Fr. Prudencio Rodriguez, C.M., Associate Spir-
formally tion about my faith, or about the rosary, or why do bad
itual Director, Bi-lingual, Bi-cultural; and Fr. Charles Shelby,
things happen to good people, or any number of things
designated a C.M., Associate Spiritual Director.
about Catholicism in general, and I send a letter off, the
According to Fulford, the general structure of the Asso-
National priests and brothers would answer it and mail it back. It’s
ciation has changed little in the last century, aside from
not only questions about Catholicism, but also prayer re-
Shrine growth and fluctuations in members and employees and
quests.”
the focus on direct mail as a form of outreach. Each year,
When the organization outgrew its small beginnings at
the organization receives letters, calls, and emails from
the seminary, the second director, Fr. William Barr, moved
members in every state and 35 counties. But through this
the Association into the Knights of Columbus building in
growth, the Association’s purpose remains the same.
town. The first employee was hired in 1924 to help organize
“We respond in a way that is one part counselor, one
responses and catalog the answers to common questions.
part caring person, but 10 parts faith-filled and positive,”
“The priests would respond and say hey, here’s what
said Fulford. “When you write to the Association, most of
the Bible says about the journey that is ahead for you and
the time ... you’re at a serious juncture in your life where
the love of Christ,” said Fulford, emphasizing the positive
you’ve lost your job and everything seems to be crumbling
messages of the Association. “And it was a great way to
around you. You just lost your spouse or another loved one,
raise money for the seminarians. These people, when they
and you’re trying to understand your faith.
sent back their intentions, just like the collection plate, they
“When you write to us, or call us, or, in today’s world,
would send money, and the priest would send them a
email us, you’re kind of at your wit’s end. But there’s a
blessed Miraculous Medal.”
lot of comfort to be found in ‘Here’s what the Bible says
Following Barr, the Association saw the successive lead-
about this,’ and ‘Remember that you’re not walking alone
ership of Fr. Daniel Coyn, Fr. Theodore Nuss, Fr. Michael
through this.’ ”
O’Connell, Fr. Joseph Finney, Fr. Jerome Fortenberry, Fr.

“
1995 Charles Rice, Fr. Charles Shelby, Fr. Henry Grodecki, Fr.
James Ward, Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, and finally Don Fulford.
St. Mary’s of the Barrens is a special place with many fond memories as my
“It wasn’t until Finney showed up in 1926 that it really ex-
ploded and took off,” said Fulford, adding that the Nation- family church. I remember attending Sunday Mass with the seminarians and the
al Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was con- beautiful holiday services. I did not fully appreciate the history and importance of
St. Mary’s structed in the church under Finney’s leadership in 1928. Saint Mary’s of the Barrens until I researched the history for the National Register
of the Application. The establishment of the church and seminary in this area had a major
Barrens is impact on the early church. Vincentians established the first seminary in the Louisiana
listed on Territory and Vincentians were sent out from Saint Mary’s to all parts of the new country. The

”
community is fortunate to have this historic and beautiful site in our community.
The National
CARLENE RAUH, PERRYVILLE
Register of
Historic Places
0 - 4 YEARS
Back row left to right: Nicholas Strand, System Analyst;
Pat Vetter, Mission Advancement Mngr. ; & Andy Hayden, Graphic Designer.
Front row left to right: Sherry Clark, Mission Advancement Mngr. ; Mary Bachmann,
Personal Response Representative; & Claudia Hernandez, Bilingual Member Service.
not pictured: Kevin Robinson, Head Groundskeeper & Brian Buerck, Groundskeeper.

Congratulations
to many years of success!

Independence Court and Square

2004 Independence Care Center
573-547-6546 • 5 STAR FACILITY
800 S. Kingshighway, Perryville, MO 63775
We want to express our
Several
old seminary sincere thanks to everyone
buildings
are demolished in the Perryville community
for the
construction
and surrounding areas for
of a new
residence for
their continued support as we
retired
celebrate 100 years as a ministry.
Vincentians

Celebrating 200 Years!

V I N C E N T I A N M I N I S T R I E S - S T. M A RY O F T H E B A R R E NS S E M I NA RY
The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com | AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES Tuesday, October 9, 2018 • 7C

THE STORY OF 2006

THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL The new

Apostle of
BY ROBERT COX
rcox@perryvillenews.com Charity

The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, known

On the front Residence
Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the
more popularly as the Miraculous Medal, is unique head of a serpent beneath her foot. She opens
among all the medals proffered by the Catholic Church, stands upon the globe, as the Queen of
inspired, so the story goes, by a divine vision. Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the ser-
Mary, the blessed virgin, appeared to a French nun, pent to proclaim Satan and all his follow-
Sister Catherine Laboure, during a vision in 1830. During ers are helpless before her. The year of
1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year
the course of the vision, which reportedly lasted several
the design given to Saint Catherine La-
hours, Mary spoke with Sister Catherine, giving her the boure. The reference to Mary conceived
design for the medal. without sin supports the dogma of the Im-
Since that time, millions maculate Conception of Mary that was
of medals have been dis- proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.
tributed to the faithful, all
bearing the same design
imparted to Sister Cather- On the back
The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent
ine 188 years ago.
the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vi-
Even celebrities like sion of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revela-
Adam Levine and ath- tion (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared
letes like baseball leg- in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun,
end Babe Ruth and Ja- and the moon under her feet, and on her
maican sprinter Usain head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can
Bolt have been spotted symbolize Christ and our redemption,
wearing the Miraculous with the bar under the cross a sign of the
Medal. Pope John Paul earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the 2017
II used a slight variation interleaving of her initial and the cross
of the reverse image as shows Mary’s close involvement with
Jesus and our world. The two hearts repre-
his coat of arms.
sent the love of Jesus and Mary for us.
According to Don
Fulford, president and
CEO of the Associa- Renovation
tion of the Miraculous below all, the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and of grounds
Medal, that’s really no the Heart of Mary pierced with a sword.
surprise. “A voice said to me, ‘Have a medal struck after this and church
“In the last two model. Persons who wear it will receive great graces, es-
begins
years, we’ve sent out pecially if they wear it around the neck.’”
over 2.4 million med- Catherine explained the entire series of apparitions to
als,” Fulford said, “and they’re still going out. her confessor, and she worked through him to carry out
We’re really proud of that.” Mary’s instructions.
The story of the Miraculous Medal began on the night With approval of the Church, the first Medals were
of July 19, 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de made in 1832 and were distributed in Paris.
Paul. According to the tale, A child awakened Sister Almost immediately the blessings that Mary had
(now Saint) Catherine Laboure, a novice in the commu- promised began to shower down on those who wore
nity of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, and summoned her Medal. The devotion spread like wildfire. Marvels of
her to the chapel in the mother house of the Daughters grace and health, peace and prosperity, followed in its
of Charity in Rue du Bac, Paris. There she met with the Vir- wake. Before long people were calling it the “Miracu-
gin Mary and spoke with her for several hours. During the lous” Medal. In 1836, a canonical inquiry undertaken at
conversation, Mary said to her, “My child, I am going to Paris declared the apparitions to be genuine.
give you a mission.” Saint Catherine Laboure was beatified on May 28,
The nature of that mission was not revealed for sever- 1933, by Pope Pius XI and canonized July 27, 1947, by
al months, until Sister Catherine received a second vision Pope Pius XII.
during evening meditation on Nov. 27, 1830. According to Fulford, the Miraculous Medal is not a
“The Blessed Virgin was standing on a globe, and her “good-luck charm”. According to the teaching of the Association of the
face was beautiful beyond words,” Sister Catherine later Catholic Church, the use of sacramentals such as this Miraculous Medal
wrote. “Her fingers were covered with pre­cious jewels medal prepare people to receive grace and dispose
whose light dazzled me. And I heard: ‘Behold the sym- them to cooperate with it.
bol of the graces I shed upon those who ask for them!’ ”
“Then an oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin
When Mary gave the design of the medal to Saint
Catherine Labouré she said, “Now it must be given to
1918
and I read in let­ters of gold: ‘O Mary, conceived without the whole world and to every person.”
sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.’ Today, 100 years after it’s founding in Perryville, the As- Association
“The vi­sion reversed and I beheld the letter ‘M’ sur- sociation of the Miraculous Medal is still doing its best to of the
mounted by a cross, at the foot of the cross, a bar, and carry out that request.
Miraculous

“
Medal is
I have been greatly blessed to have had the opportunity to live a life in the proximity established.
of Our Lady’s Shrine, Church and Grotto.  The peace and serenity that you experience when The first direc-

”
you make a visit  to the Shrine or walk the grounds is truly a gift from God. tor was the Very
RICK SCHEMEL, PERRYVILLE Rev. William H.
Musson, C.M.
0 - 4 YEARS The office was
Left to right: Jackie Leible, Personal Response Representative; located at St.
Bailey McKinney, Production Fulfillment; Krista Koishor,
Mission Advancement Mngr.; Jennifer Kirn, Production Tech; Mary’s Seminary.
Jessica Morse, Production Tech.; Nicole Amschler, Member Services
Representative; & Montse Mattingly, Bilingual Member Service.

Congratulations
Member FDIC

on many successful
1924
years from... Office was
moved to the
lower floor of
Knights of
Columbus on
corner of Saint
MORE THAN A PILLAR.
A COMMUNITY STANDARD.
Joseph and

Something to be proud of. Congratulations to

South Jackson

Rick Francis Dale Wright

the Vincentian Ministry and Association of the streets. The Very
The Miraculous Medal as they collectively celebrate

State Rep Winning State Rep

over 300 years of service! Thank you for your
commitment to the Perryville community.
Rev. William P.

Team!
District 145 District 116 Barr, C.M. was
the director.
Randy Richardet and Charles Gamble Treasurers
Paid for by Friends For Rick Francis Paid for by Wright For Missouri

Celebrating 100 Years!

A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L
8C • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES | The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com

1924 ACCESSIBILITY AND AESTHETICS

BY HEATHER C. WENTZ of all Vincentians west of the Mississippi; Fr. John Gagnepain, a former
hcook@anderson.edu provincial and Perryville native; Helen Brewer, a sister and member of the
Daughters of Charity; Debbie Gahan, former mayor of Perryville; Pat Car-
Nearly 200 years of regular services can take a toll on a church build- ron, CEO of Perry County Memorial Hospital; Gary Welker, a former exec-
ing. The daily footwear, the thousands of hands brushing banisters and utive at Annheuser-Busch; Mary Lou Frank, a writer and consultant for not-
pews, and simply the turns and tides of the calendar year in its endless for-profit entities; as well as Connie Eichhorn of Drury in Cape Girardeau
Sept. 1924 – changes in humidity and temperature — all of these things contribute to and Deacon Tom Schumer.
Dec. 1925 the wear and tear on a building that has seen many lives changed over Steinbecker explained that the initial purpose was to simply improve
the years. the accessibility and safety of the church and grounds, but that quick-
Rev. T. W. Nuss, The Church of the Assumption in Perryville — by some known as St. ly developed into a bigger picture. The plan for the church came to in-
Mary’s of the Barrens Catholic Church — could speak to these truths. clude accessibility features, such as a wheelchair ramp and new hard-
C.M., Director Constructed in the late 1820s, shortly after the Vincentians arrived in wood flooring, as well as new technology and aesthetic features: new
Perryville to establish a seminary, the Church of the Assumption is charac- lighting in the building and bell tower, security systems, a new air-condi-
terized by its Romanesque Revival exterior. tioning system, renovated bathrooms, general painting, and retouching
Roger Steinbecker, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Asso- of the historic murals that bring life and color to the interior of the church.
ciation of the Miraculous Medal, has fond memories of the church, as “We went back to a close historical representative,” said Don Fulford,
does his wife. CEO of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, in reference to the floor-
“The church has a personal connection with both Peggy and me in ing and the gray, stone-like base color of the walls. “The biggest compli-
the sense that that was our church as we grew up, and we did our first ment we received was from an art enthusiast who said that the new col-
communion there, we did all the first sacraments, [my] parents were mar- ors accentuate the beautiful art in the building. But our big push was not
ried there, we graduated there, and we were married there,” said Stein- to change the color as much as it was to fix everything.
becker. “As far as lighting and the other technologies go, most people won’t
He added that, over the years, the building began to fall into disrepair. notice. We are integrating technology whenever we can so that it will ac-
The church saw major renovations in 1913 and a minor restoration late tually be a ‘smart’ building. It will have cameras in places. The lights are
in the 20th century, but since that time did not receive any major improve- much more efficient and brighter, so people will be able to read and see
ments until the summer of 2017, when a massive project was launched the hymnals. The doors and air conditioning and heating will all be able
to improve the accessibility and aesthetics of the church and grounds. to be accessed and operated remotely.”
A driving force behind the renovations, Steinbecker noted that al- Fulford added that some of the technological improvements, while
though no visible moves were made until 2017, the project’s inception not directly “historic”, actually contribute to the preservation of those at-
was much earlier. tributes that make the building so unique.
“About four years ago, the board began a discussion of developing a “We’re running an art museum,” said Fulford. “The contents are his-
strategic plan of what changes we wanted to make and what we want- torical. When you air-condition or heat a museum, it’s much different.”
ed to be over the next four years,” Steinbecker said. “In conjunction with In the last month before the Oct. 13-14 celebration, crews have been
1925 that strategic plan, we also looked at the land itself and what needed to
be done with the church and the land around the grotto.”
working hard to complete a number of final tasks, including the disguising
of speakers into the columns of the sanctuary.
Other board members include Fr. Ray Van Dorp, provincial and CEO “We had a late start because of the termites [in the floor], but it’s all
coming together, and it’s all incredibly beautiful,” said Fulford. “The paint-
ers are finishing up, the sound system people were in there [recently], and
they said that there is a very good chance that the sound system should
Dec. 1925 – be done by the 13th.
“There are some people that have pointed out that they liked it better
Sept. 1926 the old way, and it’s hard to see change, but we hope people will love
the new look. It’s just such a historic and beautiful building that I hope no
Very Rev. matter what faith people are, they’ll just come out and look at it.”
Michael
O’Connell, C.M.,
5 - 9 YEARS
Director Left to right: Kelley Anderson, Automated Mail Tech;
Brad Mahnken, Press Operator; &
Myra Kuehn, Finance Team.
not pictured: Alan Bauman, Data Team Leader;
& Joel Sanchez, Bilingual Program Manager.

Today we
C E L E B R AT E
with You.
IT IS AN HONOR TO
BE A PART OF YOUR
1926 200 & 100 Year Anniversary.
Perryville is blessed to have
you in our community.

Sept. 1926 –
Jan. 1962
Very Rev. Joseph 9 E. STE. MARIE STREET • PERRYVILLE, MO • 63775
A. Finney, C.M.,
Director
All of us at Jackson Dental
would like to congratulate
the Association of the
Miraculous Medal and
the Vincentian Ministry
in Perryville for their
many years of service
and commitment!
1930

Office moved Care for the entire family

to West Call us today for a free consultation
3100 E. Jackson Blvd. • Jackson, MO 63755
Saint Joseph (Across from Jackson Wal-Mart)

Street (Twin Halls) Accepting New Patients

573-243-5200
www.myjacksondental.com

Celebrating 100 Years!

A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L
The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com | AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES Tuesday, October 9, 2018 • 9C

BEYOND BRICKS & MORTAR 1962

BY HEATHER C. WENTZ natural and historical beauty of the grounds. After extensive
hcook@anderson.edu tuck-pointing and refilling, the grotto has been restored to a
state as close to the original as possible. New kneelers and Jan.1962 –
Accessibility.
candelariums have also been added to the grotto site.
The word crops up every time in reference to the renova- Sept. 1962
In regards to overall accessibility to the grounds, more dras-
tion and redesign on the grounds of the St. Mary’s of the Bar-
tic changes have taken place over the last two years. Rev. Jerome
rens campus, and it’s no wonder why — although the majori-
The old, uneven sidewalk was torn up to make way for a
ty of visitors to the church, shrine, and grotto tend to be older, D. Fortenberry,
wider and smoother rosary walk designed for prayer, contem-
years of root growth and general wear-and-tear made the
plation, reflection, and healing. The walk now winds through C.M., Director
walking path nearly impossible for anyone with injuries or fall
the trees in a more free-flowing, natural way that allows for
risk.
gradual slopes and a more private experience. Steps have
But it wasn’t always that way. In the earlier days of the St.
been eliminated with the addition of two bridges.
Mary’s of the Barrens Seminary, the campus was bustling with
The rosary walk also features “beads” dedicated by finan-
young men studying to become priests, bishops, and other re-
cial contributors to the project.
ligious leaders. Although the first three years saw no more than
“The whole thing has been funded by contributions. Orig-
10 students, enrollment peaked in the 1950s with several hun-
inally we set our goal at 6 million, and we reached 5.5 mil-
dred seminarians in attendance, and as many as eight cam-
lion,” said Steinbecker. “We have donors from every state in
pus buildings in use. From 1917-1920, students of the seminary
the country, small gifts and big gifts. Fr. Shelby was our major
made use of extra quarry rock to construct what is now known
donor, and he gave a million dollars through his parents’ es-
as the grotto.
tate.”
These were the golden years of the St. Mary’s of the Bar-
Other steps in the plan included the construction of a wel-
rens Seminary, when the paths were fresh and the trees were
come plaza — the most visible difference to be seen by pass-
young.
ersby — as well as the removal and replacement of several
When the decline of attendance eventually resulted in the
older trees on the campus.
close of the seminary in 1985, the campus buildings were slow-
As with the church, technology has also been incorporat-
ly demolished one-by-one, leaving only the church, the old li-
ed into the plan, including the addition of new light posts and
brary, the grotto, and several long avenues of trees that once
led students from one class to another.
security cameras, a new sound system, and water fountains. 1962
Aesthetically, a water feature and 22 statues — as opposed
Since that time, the grounds have been frequented by pa-
to the original 4 — will add to the experience of the rosary
rishioners and pilgrims seeking physical and spiritual healing.
walk.
In the last few years, however, the walkways have been iden-
Now, a year and a half after the renovations kicked off, lit-
tified as unsafe due to the various trip hazards and steep in-
tle remains of what once was a daunting to-do list.
clines. Sept. 1962 –
“We’ve pretty much completed this thing in two years’
Thus, when renovations began in 2017, the number one
time, and we had originally set our goal at reaching this point Jan. 1983
goal was to eliminate any hindrances to accessibility. But tho-
to five years out,” said Steinbecker. “Many of us believe we
ses humble beginnings quickly evolved into a much bigger vi- Rev. Charles F.
had a little divine help along the way.”
sion.
Despite rapid progress, Don Fulford, CEO of the Association Rice, C.M.,
“At the very outset, I would have said what we want to
of the Miraculous Medal, noted a few details yet to be com-
do is take away all the dangerous obstacles in the walkway Director
pleted.
and make the walk down to the grotto safe,” said Roger Stein-
“We have the grass in, and it’s going well,” Fulford said.
becker, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Associa-
“We’ve reseeded, and we’ll see sprouts growing in Octo-
tion of the Miraculous Medal. “We wanted to make the whole
ber. The walk itself is finished, and it’s mostly landscaping that
walk down to the grotto accessible, especially for the people
we’re working on right now.”
in wheelchairs.
Fulford noted that a few adjustments may be in store for
“From that modest beginning, after a bunch of ideas and
the lighting, sound, and cameras.
a bunch of thoughts, we landed on this idea that the church
In the long term, the remaining statues will slowly be added
needed to be renovated, and we could turn the walkway
to the campus through the end of 2019.
into a rosary walk and make it an even greater spiritual site by
“The process to hand-carve Cararra marble just takes time,
adding a number of statues.”
and they can give us 3 or 4 statues every 3 or 4 months,” said
As with the church, the board made sure that the new and
Fulford. “The people who visit our grounds once a year are
improved designs would enhance — not detract — from the
going to get to see it as it evolves. It’ll give people something
to look forward to.”

“
For Steinbecker, the overall enhancement of the grotto
A place to walk, a place to pray, a place to reflect; the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miracu- and grounds has been exhilarating to see, but there is a deep-
lous Medal has been a steadfast and unwavering part of my life. We are so blessed to have the Shrine Church, er purpose behind it all.
grounds and grotto so close to home. Some of the earliest and fondest memories of my childhood include St. “I’m mostly excited about what’s going to be a great-
Mary’s of the Barrens Church and grotto. I remember going there with my family. My aunt would take me on er spiritual outreach,” said Steinbecker. “This project is a lot 1971
walks down to the grotto and talk to me about how special the grotto was. At the time, I didn’t know the signif- about bricks and mortar and building, but underlying all of
icance this would have on my life. As I grew up and had children of my own, I continued to go to the Shrine that is the outreach to people who are maybe struggling a
Church and grotto and took my children with me. I wanted them to be able to enjoy the beauty and peace of bit, or even rejoicing in their faith. It’s a faith journey, and to
the grotto and grounds as I did. I feel comfort in knowing that the Shrine Church and grotto has been an in- me that transcends the bricks and the mortar.” New office
spiration to them. As a St. Vincent Alumni and a member of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, I feel
it is my turn to do my part to ensure the preservation of this devotional point of interest. I want to make sure built on the
that this place is available for future generations, just as it has been available to me. I know of countless times, campus of
members and visitors alike have been allowed to utilize the grounds for pictures. Groups have gathered there,
cost free, to capture some of the most beautiful family, wedding, prom and graduation pictures. This place has St. Mary’s
an open door as I have always felt welcomed there. For those of you who have never visited the Shrine Church of the
and grotto, go visit it and see the beautifully restored grounds, Bishop Rosati’s cabin and the new rosary walk-

”
way. I think you will be able to see and feel how very sacred these grounds really are. Barrens
DENISE RIEHN, PERRYVILLE
15 - 24 YEARS
Left to right: Dewanna Chappius, Member Services
Team Leader; Mona Moll, Production;
Diane Mueller, Data Analyst; Cheryl Winschel, Finance;
Sherrie Hotop, Production; & Brian L’Hote, Production.

THANK YOU CM’s and “MM”

for years of service and memories
to Perry County!

Klaus Jewelers 1983

Venetian Ministry
on your 118 Perry Plaza, Perryville, MO 63775 • 573-547-6594
200th Anniversary, 66 YEARS IN BUSINESS! Jan. 1983 –
& June 2005
The Association of the
Miraculous Medal Congratulations Rev. Charles F.

on your on 100 years and 200 years of outstanding Shelby, C.M.,

100th Anniversary! service to the community! Director

We are proud to be your partner

and to help support your mission!

WARD I

kingeryprinting.com

Celebrating 100 Years!

A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L
10C • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES | The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com

2005 FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

BY HEATHER C. WENTZ without change and transition as we move forward,” said
hcook@anderson.edu Fulford, adding that the average length of stay for employ-
ees at the Association rounds out at 30 years. “We have the
As members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal most wonderful, amazing group of people working for us,
July 2005 – and the descendents of their Vincentian founders step into but we have a new generation of people coming in, and
June 2009 the next century of their joint history, leaders have identi- they’re going to do a great job.”
fied an increased call for flexibility. With the adaptation to a new generation, however,
Rev. Henry W. “I think it’s going to be pretty interesting,” said Roger comes the need to keep up with current technology.
Steinbecker, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the As- “The changeover from computers was a big challenge,
Grodecki, C.M., sociation. “A lot of our future is how we reach out to some but with new challenges doors opened and our faith jour-
future generations.” ney continued,” said Fulford. “Now, they’re not going to
Director Steinbecker noted that the Spanish-speaking communi- want direct mail anymore; they’re going to want electron-
ty and several bilingual employees might play a role in this ic, more social media. And we’ve already started that.”
task vital to the continuation of the Association. The Association has already employed electronic fund-
Within the parish, similar challenges are being tackled. raising and Facebook Live video streams in their outreach
“We have over 30 Vincentian priests and brothers that efforts.
live in Perryville, and most of them are at the Apostles of “We’re developing and upgrading our website,” Stein-
Charity retirement home,” said Fr. Rich Wehrmeyer, associ- becker said. “Over the last few years, we’ve gone from vir-
ate pastor at St. Vincent Catholic Church. “We’re in good tually no likes on Facebook to thousands.”
shape so far as having a presence, but our average age Parish organizations, too, are on the fringes of social
of priests here is in the 50s and maybe even the early 60s.” media exploration.
Wehrmeyer noted that a shift in culture has resulted in “Our website is pretty basic,” said Wehrmeyer. “We try
a decrease of young men interested in priesthood, and as to feature information on there that’s pertinent to anyone
a result the process of staffing parishes has become more that wants to access it. We do not have a particular par-
difficult. ish Facebook or Twitter, but some other groups of the par-
“I think the Church universal is really trying to do what it ish do have those types of connections.”
can to make people interested and to let people know,” Despite their intricacies, these technologies have made
said Wehrmeyer. “The culture shift is that young people it more feasible for both the Association and the American
have interests in other places, and are maybe not so inter- Vincentians to establish and maintain a national and glob-
ested and rooted in a religious sense.” al outreach.
Don Fulford, CEO of the Association, also identified the As each generation steps into leadership at both the As-
younger generation as a key factor in the futures of both
the Association and the Vincentians in Perryville. With 100
years on the books for the Association and 200 for the Vin-
2009 centians, the need to adapt to changing audiences is

“
both familiar and daunting.
“There are so many good people, but it won’t come One thing I remember most about the St Mary’s of the Barrens is going to
mass to listen to my uncle, Fr. Lukefahr say mass. He always made a joke but brought
perspective to today’s world and our Catholic faith when he gave his homily.  The letters
the family received after his death was overwhelming and showed how he influenced so

”
July 2009 –
many people and help them get through some difficult times in their lives. 
March 2012
TERRY WIBBENMEYER, PERRYVILLE
Rev. James G.
Ward, C.M.,
Director 25 - 34 YEARS
Left to right: Bonnie Berkbigler, Data Entry, Computer
Operator; Madonna Abernathy, Production Tech;
Jan Grogg, Human Resources Mngr.; &
Mary Sauer, Personal Response Representative.

Styles
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Shoes - Skechers • Nike • Adidas
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MIKE
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SAUER the Association of the Armour • Cardinal Items

Miraculous Medal and
Sept.2012 the Vincentian Ministry Men’s & Ladies
Inaugural PRESIDING on their years of hard Clothing Department
AMM Board of COMMISSIONER work and service!
Hallmark - Fabric 2 E. Ste. Maries
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Celebrating 100 Years!

A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L
The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com | AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES Tuesday, October 9, 2018 • 11C

sociation and the church, new challenges will need to be

addressed. 2013
“Our biggest challenge in the future will be religion it-
self, as a new generation of people will view religion in a
different way. These changes are natural, and they hap-
pen,” said Fulford. “We’ll change as our donors and mem-
bers change, and as their quest for faith encompasses
different things.”
Fulford emphasized that although people are cata-
Don Fulford
lysts for these changes, without their dedication and hard is hired as
work, the future would be impossible.
“The work that we do tomorrow stands on the work the first lay
that we do today,” Fulford said. “You can’t have a busi-
ness that stands for so many years without incredible peo- President and
ple that started it, that maintained it, and that will bring it
into the future. I hope this is the start of another 100 years.” Chief Executive
Officer of AMM

“
The tie between the Vincentian Ministry goes back to my great grandfather and the
Roziers store. He was inducted as an honorary Vincentian due to his involvement with the
seminary during the Depression. My grandfather and grandmother continued the tradition as did my
parents. There is now a bench with my father’s, mother’s and sibling’s names on it on the walk to the
Grotto, right next to the bridge. The AMM and Seminary Grounds mean so much to the Lottes family as

”
well as to our community. I foresee the relationship continuing with future generations.
JAY LOTTES & FAMILY, PERRYVILLE

35 - 39 YEARS
Back row left to right: Jean Schaaf, Production Fulfillment;
Brenda Renner, Finance Team; & Wilma Sides, Data Entry;
Computer Operator. Front row left to right: Theresa Petzoldt,
Gift Shop Coordinator; Sandy Paulus, Executive Assistant,;
Lulu Pingel, Personal Response Representative; &
Laurie Besand, Personal Response Representative.
2015

Fr. Oscar
Lukefahr, C.M.
passes away.
Fr. Mike Joyce,
C.M. serves as
interim Spiritual
Director until
Fr. Kevin
McCracken,
C.M. is appointed

2016

AMM begins
building and
land strategies
and planning
meetings to
revitalize the
St. Mary’s of the
Barrens Church,
Shrine, Grounds
and Grotto

2018

New Rosary
Walk, Church,
Grounds and
Grotto open to
celebrate 200
years at
St. Mary’s of
the Barrens and
100 years of the
Association of
the Miraculous
Medal

Celebrating 100 Years!

A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L
12C • Tuesday, October 9, 2018 AMM 100TH & VINCENTIAN 200TH ANNIVERSARIES | The Republic-Monitor | www.perryvillenews.com

AMM USES OUTREACH PROGRAM

TO EDUCATE ABOUT FAITH
BY JUSTIN HOTOP cate, engage, and connect with them
jhotop@perryvillenews.com about their faith, just as we would on the
Don Fulford, President and CEO of the English side. They may have questions
Association of the Miraculous Medal, is about how to say the Rosary and we
proud of many things in his organization. provide that answer for them, or they
But maybe the one aspect he is most may ask about Our Lady of Guada-
proud of is the Spanish outreach program. lupe and why she is important. Maybe
AMM uses a Facebook page, a website, they left the church and didn’t have
and a hotline for Spanish-speaking peo- one when they came to the United
ple to use and reach out about their faith States. They turn to us for answers
with any questions they may have. Those about what the church teaches.”
tools are there to not only keep people But Fulford always receives the
in the faith but also bring people back to same question when approached
the church. within the community. How do they
“It’s an exciting time,” Fulford said. cover such a wide area with such
“Most of the questions that come in are a small staff of just four people. He
the same as on the English side and typi- always has the same answer.
cally from a different part of the country. “It’s amazing to me how
Our English side comes from the North- many people think we are
east, while the questions on the Span- just a cute little place behind
ish side come from Texas and California. the church,” Fulford said. “But
Every year we have grown and it’s gotten when you talk about 30,000
bigger and better.” members in our outreach pro-
The program has 30,000 members, in- gram, it puts a different scope
cluding 9,000 new members in the last on things.”
year. Fulford said that there is a lack of The program uses a lot of dif-
outreach programs for those looking to ferent avenues to find peo-
establish a foundation in faith and wor- ple looking for answers about
ship. AMM offers a unique opportunity for their faith. Most come looking
those not familiar with the Catholic faith in for them, but they also put out
the United States and 35 countries around feelers in places for those unsure
the world. where to turn when it comes to
“There just isn’t a lot out there,” Ful- their faith.
ford said. “We are coming to people in “We will send out mail and
their own language. A lot of other orga- put ads in parish guides,” Fulford
nizations take the language and simply said. “But we also have a Span-
Google translate it. We have it designed ish-speaking website that people
by Spanish-speaking people, for Span- organically find when searching for
ish-speaking people and for their moral answers. It’s both us reaching out
beliefs with Catholic principles.” to them, letting them know resourc-
Fulford has a staff of four people that es are available, and also them
work within the program to answer any searching are places like us usually
questions callers may have about their in their most difficult times."
faith. On the staff is a director, a priest, The outreach program has grown
and two women that work the hotline each of the last five years, and Ful-
number. The biggest principle that Fulford ford does not see that slowing down
lives by with the program is to educate any time soon.
people when they are contacted. “I think it’s a testament to who we
“We don’t teach people how to speak are as an organization, but also peo-
English,” Fulford said. “We always keep to ple’s thirst for knowledge about their
their native language. What we do is edu- faith,” Fulford said.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Trapp & Neil Weston
7:00 pm....... Organ Concert by Dr. Lynn
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018
Mary's of the Barrens
11:00 am.............. Open House at St.
e Chur ch by Dr. Lynn Trapp
11:30 am............. Music in Shrin
hono r of the Daug hters of Charity
12:00 pm..... Dedication in
t lunch and reception
12:30 pm................................ Ligh
of the restored grotto
Following Lunch................. Blessing
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018
....Church doors open
1:00 pm......................................
... Mus ic begi ns in the Shine Church
1:45 pm....................
s (seating is limited)
2:00 pm.................................. Mas
Reception following
................... Dinner
4:00 pm......................................

40+ YEARS
Left to right: Ed Kiefer, Production Team Leader;
Jane Schuessler, Personal Response Representative;
Kay Riney, Data Entry, Rhonda Meyr, Finance Team;
Vicki Ernst, Personal Response Representative; &
Mary Kirn, Personal Response Representative.

40+ YEARS
Back row left to right: Tina Boxdorfer, Vendor Relations;
Donna Zoellner, Correspondence Team Secretary; Kay Schindler,
Data Entry; Tanda Zoellner, Correspondence Team Leader.
Front row left to right: Linda Welland, Correspondence Team
Secretary; Christy Dobbelare Correspondence Team Secretary;
Denise Meyer, Production Fulfillment & Postal/Mail Operations.

www.perryvillenews.com

Best Wishes from…

Congratulations
to the Association of
the Miraculous Medal

10 W. Ste. Marie St. Matthew Wibbenmeyer

President/General Manager 40 N. Main St.
Perryville, MO 63775 255 Rolling Hills Lane, Perryville, MO 63775
(573) 547-4567 Office/Fax: (573) 517-0759 • wc.concrete@yahoo.com Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
General Contractor | Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Concrete 573.335.1197 - stashllc@yahoo.com

Celebrating 100 Years!

A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L