Messenger Article, September 21, 2007

St. Cecilia Church welcomes Bishop Foys for visit
Laura Keener
Assistant Editor

Celebration of the Mass with Bishop Foys

Parishioners at St. Cecilia Parish, Independence, were excited the weekend of Bishop Roger Foys' Episcopal Visit Sept. 8-9. Some of that spirit and energy carried over from the parish's Labor Day Festival--the most successful to date for the parish with over $150,000 gross income--the weekend and Monday before Bishop Foys' visit.

"It's an exciting time to be at St. Cecilia," said Father Mario Tizziani, parochial administrator for the over 650-family parish.

St. Cecilia is in a time of transition. Last year Msgr. William Cleves was appointed pastor and Father Tizziani, the parochial vicar. Within the year Msgr. Cleves accepted a teaching assignment with the Pontifical College Josphenium, Columbus. Bishop Foys explained to parish leaders during his meeting with them Sept. 9 that it would be highly unusual to name a new priest, like Father Tizziani, pastor of such a large parish. Father Tizziani is one of the diocese's newest priests, ordained in 2006, along with Father Raymond Enzweiler.

"I thought for a long time about what I should do at St. Cecilia," said Bishop Foys. "You had been through, already, a change of pastors and I thought it wasn't a good idea to assign a new pastor and keep Father Mario here. And if I sent him away then you would have a whole new priest to get used to. I did something exceptional in giving a priest ordained only a year a parish of this size. But I know Father Mario and his strengths, and I wanted to respond to the needs of the people in the parish, which is why I made him administrator."

Meeting with Parish Council

During his meeting with the parish's Finance and Parish Councils, Board of Education and various other committees Bishop Foys heard how the parish is "rebounding" from a period of decreasing enrollment, dwindling income and a church building project that has left the parish with loans in excess of $800,000. Finance council member Charles Deters indicated that parishioners appear to be motivated, not disheartened, by the debt. Parishioners respond most generously to any fundraiser earmarked for debt reduction, he said.

In addition to the record-breaking festival, parishioners are experiencing a surge in participation and community. According to Father Tizziani, Mass attendance is up partly because of population growth in southern Kenton County. And while many of these families have yet to actually register with the parish, Father Tizziani said he remains hopeful that those visiting will make St. Cecilia their home. Parish leaders pointed again to the festival, with its record attendance, as evidence of community interest in and support of the parish.

"Things are on the up-tick," reported Tony Bramer, chairperson for the parish's finance committee. "The festival doubled over last year, not only financially but also in community success with attendance over double. People in the community are seeing an excitement at St. Cecilia and in what Father Mario is doing and they want to be a part of that."

Meeting Our Bishop

Recent donations of an outside amphitheatre and the restoration, framing and hanging of an original oil painting by Leon Lippert, and the way the entire parish came together to work the festival are other examples of the renewed energy at the parish.

Father Tizziani credits his parishioners for any resurgence of enthusiasm. Parishioners credit Father Tizziani.

"We want to thank you [Bishop Foys] for blessing us with Father Mario. The momentum at the parish is at an all-time high," said Mark Franks, finance council.

After a frank discussion about finances, the parish committee meeting turned to a brainstorming session, with members and Bishop Foys sharing ideas and stories on a variety of topics, from how to increase a sense of community to how best to collaborate with diocesan offices and commissions, from increasing vocations to the possibility of inviting religious sisters to the parish. Parish leaders praised Bishop Foys on his bringing the Didache series to diocesan high schools.

"The reason we send our children to Catholic high schools is we are expecting our schools to have proper respect for the Mass and to be teaching the true faith," said Melissa Wilkerson, school board member.

Clint Green, principal of St. Cecilia School, said that they are beginning to focus on ways of recruiting students. There are 319 students, including the pre-school, at St. Cecilia. That's about 40 students below the all-time high of 360 students five years ago. Mr. Green is hoping that the 55 pre-school students will continue their Catholic education at the school.

"I'm going to be talking to other principals about what they are doing about recruitment," said Mr. Green. This is his second year as principal.

Mr. Green said that the strong faith and spirituality of the parish and school community are hallmarks at St. Cecilia. He said Father Tizziani is a great support and that the faculty is committed to the school.

Like most Catholic schools, keeping Catholic education affordable for parents is its greatest challenge. At St. Cecilia, the PTO provided $30,000 in tuition assistance last year.

CCD Classroom Visits

St. Cecilia has 117 students in its Parish Religious Education program. Russ Connors has been the director of the program for three years. He also has a committed faculty of volunteers that includes a family of four--the Durr family. David and Laurie Durr and their two teenaged-children, Patrick and Allison, have made teaching Catholic education a family affair.

"There is no doubt that the Church is alive and well at St. Cecilia Parish," said Bishop Foys after his visit. "The attendance at Mass as well as the participation speaks very highly of the people of the parish. Having met with the advisory groups in the parish I was very impressed that people are interested and concerned not only with the practical and mundane aspects of the parish but also and very much so with the spiritual life of the parishioners from religious education of the young to adult faith formation and continuing education.

"The children in the school were very respectful and responsive. It is clear to me that they are being very well prepared and that a solid foundation is being formed on which they can build their lives as Catholics.

"It is also apparent that the people of St. Cecilia Parish are very pleased with their parish priest. Father Tizziani is working very hard to make St. Cecilia a truly vibrant parish community whose lives are solidly rooted in the faith."