By Sal Lema

Throwing my change on the dresser, I happened to see why my pocket was so heavy lately—it included a dollar sized silver coin, not currency, but the stamped memento honoring the 150th Jubilee of Immaculate Conception Parish, in Leavenworth, Kansas.

One side honors the present parish Immaculate Conception with a picture of their Bell tower. The other side highlights their heritage showing the Old Cathedral that stood where the new church presently is, before it was destroyed by fire in 1961.

Father David McEvoy, O.Carm., Pastor of Immaculate Conception, sent this coin along with several other items heralding their Jubilee. The information is all very interesting, but the coin kind of stuck with me and I chose to carry it around to this very day.

As I turn this coin over and over in the palm of my hand, I’m reminded of the enormity of a yearlong celebration that was the brain child of Father David and a small group of parishioners, that wanted this celebration to include many more than the parishioners here today, but to reach back throughout its heritage and see the very roots that have made Immaculate Conception the proud parish that it is. Reviewing the successful jubilee year, it is easy for me to see why Father David McEvoy, O.Carm., is so respected and loved not only at the parish but throughout all of Leavenworth.

On August 15, 2005, the parish had just completed the last of 15 separate events that actually started 13 months earlier to this very day. Each event was tied to a parish social, making the entire year one great celebration! Oh, it must have been great to be in Kansas for all this excitement! Here now, is just the briefest synopsis of the fifteen special jubilee events that took place.

1. August 15, 2004. The year’s jubilee began with an opening Eucharist. Two Jubilee logos were placed on the bell tower, and in the church tapestries were hung in the sanctuary. Father David presented his lyrics for the Jubilee Hymn entitled, “150 Years On This Hill,” that were latter produced on CD.

2. September 17, 2004. Parish native Father David Suwalsky, SJ, gave a lecture about Bishop John Baptist Meige, the first bishop to formalize the establishment of the Jesuit missions in Leavenworth. A copy and enlargement of a 19th Century glass photo of Bishop Miege was hung in the sanctuary.

3. October 15, 2004. Saint Therese lecture by Father John Russell, O.Carm., who spoke about the spirituality of Saint Therese of Lisieux and the first foundation of the Carmelites in the United States in Leavenworth.

4. Nov. 12, 2004 featured a candlelight procession to commemorate the arrival of the Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth. Sister Sue Miller SCL, community director, spoke about Mother Xavier Ross.

5. On December 8, 2004 the parish celebrated the Anniversary of the dedication of the Old Cathedral. Mass was celebrated by parish native Father Bill McEvoy.

6. December 30, 2004. Memories of the cathedral fire were relived thru a PowerPoint presentation of Old Cathedral photos, plus a presentation by cathedral fire eyewitnesses, including Father John Rossiter.

7. January 14, 2005. A panel discussion comprised of six parish natives who pursued religious and priestly vocations with students from Xavier Elementary and Immaculata High School.

8. February 4, 2005 featured a salute to Holy Epiphany Parish. Sister Reginald Gerdes, a member of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, lectured on the first African- American parish established west of the Mississippi.

9. On March 13, 2005 the parish came together for a corned beef and cabbage dinner. The benefit dinner recognized the role of Irish-Americans within the parish.

10. On March 17, 2005, the parish kicked-off Saint Patrick’s Day with a Mass and parade. Archbishop Emeritus James P. Kelleher was the main celebrant at a Mass and was parade Grand Marshal.

11. April 15, 2005 became a salute to the Benedictines. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, talked about Benedictine Bishop Louis Fink, Bishop Miege’s successor and the arrival of the Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady of Guadalupe from Mexico.

12. May 1, 2005. A May crowning and rosary. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann presided and preached.

13. June 12, 2005 heralded a celebration of the present church. Msgr. Charles McGlinn and Msgr. Michael Mullen gave a talk, “Vatican II and beyond.” Msgr. McGlinn celebrated Mass; Msgr. Mullen gave a presentation about the current church.

14. July 3, 2005, the fourth of July weekend, the perfect time for a concert. The parish welcomed the Kansas City Chorale and invited the greater Leavenworth community to a program of sacred and patriotic music in honor of Independence Day.

15. August 15, 2005. Closing Jubilee Eucharist. A Mass and reception to close the year’s celebration.

From flames of destruction to resilience of the future; from the fire of the Old Cathedral in 1961, to the Spirit of Immaculate Conception today; the heart of this Leavenworth parish continues its pulse through Eucharist; through a loving community; through a Carmelite presence; through time capsules filled with memories and through coins, just like the one that sits on my dresser today.