Parishioners attend the Sept. 6 Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral celebrating 100 years at the cathedral’s Locust Street location. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Giving thanks for ‘past, present and future,’ cathedral celebrates 100 years at Locust Street location
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
In his homily at the 100th anniversary of the dedication of St. Stephen Cathedral’s home at 610 Locust Street, Bishop William F. Medley reflected on “a century of baptisms, First Holy Communions, and Confirmations.”
The cathedral has served as a home and the Mother Church of the diocese for countless gatherings and celebrations of all kinds, but, the bishop emphasized, “above all to celebrate the glory of God.”
The celebration began with 4 p.m. Mass at the cathedral, presided over by Bishop Medley and concelebrated by many priests whose histories have led them to serve at the cathedral, including current rector Fr. John Thomas and parochial vicars Fr. Christopher Grief and Fr. Thomas Aslis.
Bishop William F. Medley presides at the Sept. 6 Mass for the 100th anniversary of St. Stephen Cathedral’s building dedication. Seen also are Fr. J. Patrick Reynolds, Fr. Christopher Grief, and Fr. Corey D. Bruns. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Following Mass, the cathedral community gathered at the Owensboro Convention Center for a celebration emceed by parishioner John Kurtz, featuring dinner, trivia, the presentation of a time capsule to be buried later, and live dinner music provided by the Owensboro Symphony String Trio. A make-your-own ice cream bar was provided for children, and a drawing was held for front-pew seating at the Christmas Eve vigil Mass. Fr. John Thomas also presented a papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV for St. Stephen Cathedral on the occasion of the anniversary.
A special aspect of the night was a series of reflections given by previous rectors Fr. John Vaughan and Fr. Jerry Riney. The community also recognized parishioner Lillian Gentry, who at 101 years old is the eldest member of St. Stephen Cathedral.
Following remarks and a closing blessing by Bishop Medley, the floor was opened for dancing to music provided by local band Hall Pass.
Lillian Gentry, St. Stephen Cathedral’s eldest parishioner at 101 years old, is honored at the Sept. 6 dinner celebrating 100 years at the cathedral’s current location. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Carl Lewis, who joined St. Stephen Cathedral when he became Catholic in 1995, said he was “honored to be here; this is a great thing to celebrate.”
He described the cathedral as “very family-oriented” and said his children had been baptized there and his own parents buried from St. Stephen’s.
Barbara Jones, who has been a parishioner for more than 40 years, commented that “we all feel like a family” at the cathedral, adding that she looks forward to future projects of further restoring the cathedral’s historic structure.
Fr. Grief shared with the WKC that after two years of serving as the cathedral’s parochial vicar, he has come to see how “the parish community is one that is welcoming and faithful.”
“We continue to give thanks for our past, present, and future, too,” he said.
Fr. Corey D. Bruns, vocations director for the Diocese of Owensboro, leads a round of trivia at St. Stephen Cathedral’s 100th anniversary on Sept. 6. As a seminarian, Fr. Bruns spent his pastoral year at the cathedral. RACHEL HALL | WKC
