The Shrine Welcomes Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski - Shrine of St. Joseph
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The Shrine of Saint Joseph’s Friends, Inc.
NEWSLETTER
1220 N. 11th Street • St. Louis, Missouri 63106-4614 • Rectory Phone (314) 231-9407
email: info@shrineofstjoseph.org
WINTER-SPRING ISSUE 2021
The Shrine Welcomes Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski
On Friday, March 19th, 2021, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the
Shrine of St. Joseph will enthusiastically welcome, for the first time, the Most Reverend Mitchell Rozanski,
the new Archbishop of St. Louis, who will be the main Celebrant of the 12pm (Noon) Mass in honor
of our titular saint. (Please check the Shrine’s website before attending this Mass for current COVID
restrictions and guidelines from the CDC, Archdiocesan, and local authorities, which may be in effect.)
Archbishop Rozanski succeeds Archbishop Carlson,who retired last
year after having served the Archdiocese of St. Louis for 11 years. Born in
Baltimore in 1958, our new Archbishop is of Polish-American descent and
served as the Bishop of the Diocese Springfield, Massachusetts, prior
to his new assignment here to St. Louis. Last year Pope Francis named
him as the 10th Archbishop of St. Louis.
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski The new Archbishop said, “it is my hope that called to lead this Archdiocese,
God’s grace will be in abundance in helping me to be part of the healing process and resolution to all the
daunting issues that we face. My motto is ‘serve the Lord with gladness.’ I hope people will take away
from my ministry a sense of joy in serving the Lord.” As we patiently await and pray for the eventual end
of COVID pandemic, it will be a blessed occasion to welcome the Archbishop on Friday, March 19, 2021,
as we celebrate this special day in honor of St. Joseph in the newly proclaimed Year of St. Joseph.
Pope Francis Proclaims “Year of St. Joseph”
A special “Year of St. Joseph” was proclaimed by Pope Francis in honor of the 150th anniversary of
the declaration of Saint Joseph as patron of the Universal Church. The Pope designated the Church
year of 2021 (December 8, 2020 - December 8, 2021) in honor of St. Joseph.
In declaring the Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis said, “COVID-19 helped us to see the importance
of ordinary people (care givers) who are far from the limelight, who exercise patience, and offer hope
everyday -- people who go unnoticed but nonetheless play an incomparable role. In this, they resemble St.
Joseph.” Pope Francis further reflected that “our contemporary world is in need of examples of true fatherhood.
In St. Joseph we see a strong, courageous, working man. Yet we also see great tenderness and a capacity
for compassion and genuine openness to others...a man of both silence and strength.” “Each of us,”
said the Pope, “ can discover in St. Joseph the man who goes unnoticed, but is a support and guide
in times of trouble.”
He advised all Catholics and others to entrust our lives to St. Joseph especially in times of difficulty.
Fall Fundraiser
Reflecting on this past year, with the many challenges at the Shrine, the Board of Directors
along with Father Wunderlich,our Rector, are filled with much gratitude for the many
prayers and financial donations so many of you have made to us in these last two
fundraisers. It is remarkable; you have been very generous! We hold every supporter in our
hearts and wish this year will bring you health, peace, happiness and the Lord’s blessing.
The winners of this fundraiser, drawn on Nov. 29th were: 1st place: Debra Cira, Grover, MO;
2nd place:Suzanne Bossung, St. Louis; 3rd place: Judy Leeker, St. Louis; 4th place:
Charles Schuler, Jasper, Indiana. Please look for spring fund raiser to be mailed in mid-April.
Tour Information
Shrine Tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. To
Fr. Dale Wunderlich and Mary Matthews schedule a tour of the Shrine, contact Jim Allen, Shrine Docent (314) 488-6077.
Page 2 The Shrine of Saint Joseph’s Friends, Inc. Newsletter
Jo Ann Geisz
A volunteer ’s Journey through nearly four decades of dedication to the Shrine
The year was 1983 when Jo Ann’s husband, reputation for being able to handle any
the late Richard Geisz, who, after attending inquiries related to weddings. JoAnn
a White House Retreat at the Shrine for the has also her hand in other
first time, came home and said to Jo Ann, responsibilities as well. She is a
“you’ve got to go and see this unbelievable member of the Board of Directors, in
church...its absolutely incredible.” charge of the rectory interior, procures
items related to special religious events,
“So Richard and I went to the Shrine,” said co-ordinates Mass Intentions, prepares
Jo Ann. This occasion marked the beginning the Sunday bulletin, helps with the
of their lengthy and dedicated involvement. Shrine’s outdoor events, and the list
Jo Ann is now in her 38th year as an active goes on of her involvement.
volunteer and Richard volunteered for
17 years until his death in 2001. With Jo Ann, it’s all about love of
family - both her immediate family
“When I saw the Shrine I was totally blown and the Shrine’s “family” of volunteers. The Late Richard Geisz
away,” said Jo Ann, “by its stunning beauty Everyone in her immediate family have helped out. Her brother,
Jo Ann Geisz and wonderfully hand-carved religious John Colao, works in the air and steam club office, her grandsons
statuary, but also, at the same time, by its have been servers. Others have helped out at events. Over these
deteriorated condition. You could see some of the brick where there 38 years, it seems there isn’t anything Jo Ann wouldn’t do for the
was no plaster, the linoleum down the aisles were so badly aged Shrine. She has certainly
that it was yellowed, and, as I soon learned, impossible to clean. been a tower of strength,
There was battleship gray spray painted on the altars along with an a mainstay, a major and
ugly red color, and it was all just plain filthy.” “We also learned,” Jo reliable pillar in her many
Ann added, “that the Shrine was cold in winter and hot in summer. So contributions toward the
you never knew what to expect every Sunday.” Shrine’s success story.
Beginning in 1985, the Shrine restoration finally began. “During We absolutely could not
that 10-year period,“ said Jo Ann, “it was completely transformed ... have saved this venerable
I remember it was a slow process, but gradually, little by little, the historic landmark without
restoration was complete and absolutely magnificent.” During the many years of dedicated
that time, she participated in and organized numerous fund raising work and sheer effort
events, because, as she said, the restoration only kept going if there Jo Ann and people like
were sufficient donations coming in to support it. Jo Ann Geisz with family L-R John Colao (brother); her have given.
“During that time,” said JoAnn, “there were a good number of married Matt Geisz (grandson) Jay & Patty Nieters, (Son-in-law
couples who also got involved and we all became very close. Along & Daughter), Drew Nieters (grandson)
with all of our volunteer efforts,I would organize tours and other trips
for us to festivals, wineries, and three different tours to Ireland, Remembering Carl Capuano
France,and Italy.“ Jo Ann sadly commented that nearly all of these At age 94, on Dec. 17, 2020, we lost a
fellow volunteers she was with for so many years have all passed away. long-time supporter and volunteer of
Richard had been an insurance agent; his avocation,however, was over 45 years following the death of his
woodworking. He brought these skills with him to help doing necessary wife, Ellen, who predeceased him two weeks
projects at the Shrine, including such projects as donation boxes and earlier. Carl was one of the very few
the Christmas creche that is used every year. In 1998 Jo Ann began members of our organization still living
her long involvement in the all-important wedding office, a position which who had an in-depth knowledge about
she continues to this day. For the last 23 years, she has been involved the old neighborhood along Biddle Street,
with promoting the Shrine’s wedding program which is now very well-known. the small “mom and pop” delis, and the
Later, Kathie Schmid, joined her and helped out. various ethnic groups who lived around the
Jo Ann is at the Shrine two week days and Sunday morning. “Along Shrine. He had been a parishioner of Our
with the 25 wedding volunteers assisting with weddings,” Jo Ann Lady Help of Christians Church”OLHC” near Carl Capuano with Mother Cabrini
the Shrine, in the heart of the Italian and Sicilian Statue
said, “we strive to make each and every wedding as perfect as possible.”
area, with Fr. Filipiak as its priest. He then transferred to the Shrine in 1975 when
She and Kathie have both become so knowledgeable that they have a
OLHC church was razed. After Fr. Filipiak’s murder in 1979, Carl helped to
Shrine Weddings - 2021
support the Friend’s fledgling organization. At Carl’s memorial Mass, Fr.
Leo Spezia said emphatically, “Carl and others saved this church!” Through
the years Carl could always be counted on to provide fruit and other
After the regrettable postponement of some scheduled weddings food items for special events, aided by his friends at “Produce Row.”
because of the pandemic last spring, it has been very gratifying to see He also had a lot to do with the transfer of the two venerable statues that
so many of these and other weddings re-scheduled for this year. had been at OLHC which were placed in the rear of each of the Shrine’s side
At this printing, there are currently over 40 weddings so far that pews. Carl said, “Msgr. Polizzi had asked me to take the Mother Cabrini
have been officially scheduled with additional inquiries coming in now. statue home for safekeeping. He knew my first wife had a special devotion
The fall and early winter weddings were, as always, very memorable to her.” After his first wife died, he donated the statue to the Shrine. With
and went very well, while, at the same time, maintaining COVID-19 rare exception, Carl was here for coffee in the Shrine Shoppe and for Mass
restricitons. For more information about having a wedding at our nearly every single Sunday. He was devoted and loyal to our organization,
magnificient Shrine, please call (314) 231-0869 Tuesdays or Thursdays. to the Shrine’s restoration, to St. Joseph, to his family, and to his faith.
The Shrine of Saint Joseph’s Friends, Inc. Newsletter Page 3
Board Focuses on Organ Repair Work
It has been said that the pipe organ is the largest, most complex, and most powerful
musical instrument on earth and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal gives
the pipe organ “pride of place” among musical instruments. The Shrine’s mighty
Pfeffer 33 rank tracker pipe organ is also very complex and is in need of some
highly technical maintenance work. The historic organ, built in 1890, and containing
nearly 2,000 pipes, was completely restored in the year 2000 at a cost of nearly
$200,000. The organ had been unplayable for nearly 10 years prior to its restoration. Among
other problems, its pipework had become a place where pigeons enjoyed living
and make their nests, prior to the church’s restoration. Despite this period of non-use,
the St. Louis Organ Guild Historical Society always held the instrument in high esteem
“as an instrument of exceptional historical merit, worthy of preservation.” Finally
enough money was donated to have Martin Ott, a distinguished pipe organ builder,
perform the complicated and lengthy two year restoration, and it has performed
wonderfully during these last twenty years. Gradually, however, certain components
are now showing their age. Martin Ott, now retired, strongly recommended Christopher
Soer, of Christopher Soer Pipe Organs, LLC, to do the necessary repair work on the
organ. Mr. Soer, an experienced organ technician, is well known and respected
both locally and nationally for his skills. Soer spoke to the Shrine Board at its December
meeting and described the work which will basically involve the pressurized components. Clockwise: View of Organ Case; Image of deteriorating
The leather on the main reservoir, over time has become brittle, causing cracks and leather on corner of reservoir; image of prior patchwork;
holes to develop, causing leaks and diminishing the air pressure. The reservoir will be image of deteriorating leather on side of reservoir
completely re-leathered to remedy the leaks. Soer said, that due to the size of the
job, he will work with a colleague from Boston who is an expert in working on “tracker” pipe organs. All the work will be done on site and
he estimated the cost to be approximately $16,000. A generous and anonymous donor has willingly funded this entire cost of the project.
The work is scheduled to begin in early February. For more information on the Pfeffer Organ, an interesting 42 minute video, featuring Dr. Horst
Buchholz, Music Director of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and the Archdiocese, together with Martin Ott, who preformed the restoration work on
the Organ in 2000, is available by visiting: YouTube: Youtube1890pfefferorgan or the www.shrineofstjoseph.org/history in the Shrine Videos.
Christmas at the Shrine More Improvements Coming
• We are in the process of upgrading the internet to high speed
internet. Some of you have been streaming our Masses and
have found the audio less than desirable.This increased bandwidth,
combined with additional cameras and software, will give us the
ability to integrate the sound system and video thereby improving
the sound quality of live streaming from the Shrine. In addition,
we will gain the ability to stream to multiple platforms, such
as YouTube in addition to Facebook. We hope to have this
completed by Mid-March.
• The Shrine’s six 14 foot high front doors have been refurbished
and are now in the process of being re-painted.
• The rectory porch will soon be re-painted and rotted timbers
replaced.
• The Shrine Shoppe staff have been busy during our closure
We thought we would give our readers one last look at the getting rid of difficult to sell items and making the area more
Shrine’s beautiful nativity scene Normally we would have had user friendly in anticipation of its eventual re-opening.
over 500 at Mass on Christmas Eve - attendance is a long-held
tradition among many families but the pandemic kept many away A Special Visitor
this year. Suffice it to say that we are very anxious to get back to You can call him St. Nick, Father Christmas, or
normalcy. May God bless all of you who have attended and supported just Santa, but whatever you call him, not
the Shrine over the years as we all patiently await a promising vaccine. even the pandemic stopped him from visit-
ing the children at the Shrine after Mass
Stay in Touch with the Shrine on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Normally
Please check the Shrine’s website and Facebook Page for up-to-date held in the rectory, this year the gathering
information about up-coming liturgical events as to their times and was in the very rear of the church to
what COVID restrictions will be in place. provide for plenty of social distancing
Connect with the Shrine of St. Joseph so that everyone was safe. We are grateful
Website: www.ShrineofStJoseph.org to Jim Fuller, who, as a close friend of
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shrineofsaintjoseph Santa Claus, arranged this visit.
YouTube: Channel: StJoseph Shrine Jim, just like Santa, has an unbelievable,
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKWn3gkBa2wTvuBXyHr2TVQ God-given talent to engage and delight
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st_joeshrine all the children, young and old alike. We
look forward to St. Nick’s visit next year! St. Nicholas
Photos courtesy of Arteaga Photography
The Shrine of Saint Joseph’s Friends, Inc.
1220 North 11th Street
NON-PROFIT ORG.
St. Louis, MO 63106-4614
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Mass Times
Sundays: 11:00am
First Friday of each Month: 12:00pm (Noon)
Holy Days of Oblgation: See Website www.shrineofstjoseph.org for details
Veneration of St. Peter Claver Relic or St. Padre Pio Relic following Mass
Fr. Dale Wunderlich, Rector and Recipient of the Aquinas Institute “Great Preacher” Award.
Supporting the Shrine Air & Steam Club
with Your Membership Members of the Air and Steam Club have, since the
beginning of the restoration, helped to cover utility
The restoration and on-going maintenance costs. We need your continued support for the Shrine.
of the Shrine is accomplished strictly through Your donations last year contributed approximately 60%
private contributions. Annual membership toward the Shrine’s heating, cooling, gas and water bills.
dues are only $10 per individual. All donations Thank you! Thank you! Please continue your support for
are tax deductible. If you are already a the Shrine. If you aren’t currently participating, please
member, we GRATEFULLY THANK YOU consider joining now. Your help is needed! There are
and ask for your continued support. If you Monthly Drawings for prizes totalling $200. Tickets are
are not currently a member, please consider $12 each for a 1 chance to win each month. There’s
Sherry Chibnall joining. Your financial support is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase.
necessary to help in the preservation of this irreplaceable To join the Air and Steam Club, complete the form below,
historic and religious landmark for future generations. If you and mail it with your check payable to:
have any questions, please contact Sherry Chibnall, your “Shrine of St. Joseph’s Friends, Inc.”
Membership Committee Chairperson, at (314) 231-9407. 1220 N. 11th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106-4614.
If you need more information, please contact Dianne Raney
Please Remember the Shrine in your Will or Trust.
or John Colao at (314) 231-9407.
Application for Memebership Air and Steam Club
Shrine of St. Joseph’s Friends, Inc. Shrine of St. Joseph’s Friends, Inc.
Dues are $10 per person, per year 1220 N. 11th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106-4614
Mr.
Mrs. ______________________________________________________ 1st Prize $100
Ms. 2nd Prize $ 50
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1220 N. 11th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106-4614
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