Extension magazine - Summer 2023

12
BUILD Extension | Summer 2023 13
Church Building
In our spring 2023 edition of
Extension magazine, we introduced
you to St. Peter Claver
Church in Lexington, Kentucky,
a historically Black
Catholic church that now
serves a diverse community
of many cultures and races,
including Congolese refugees.
After publishing the article
about the new church construction
project supported
by Catholic Extension, we
received letters asking for a
follow-up story once the new
church was dedicated.
There are many beautiful
things about the dedication
of a new Catholic church, but
maybe the best part is waiting
at the front door. It’s like
the “big reveal” moment on
those home makeover shows,
but it’s even more exciting and
meaningful.
That was especially true
for 94-year-old Clementine
Thompson. When she was a
young girl, she was not welcome
at her local Catholic parish
because she was African
American. Now, as the parish’s
favorite elder, she proudly
headed up the procession line,
which waited at the front door.
Also there was David Young,
who has been a parishioner
since 1978 and is Grand Knight
of the Knights of Peter Claver.
He wanted to cry for joy at
this culmination of 20 years
of blood, sweat, tears, planning,
funding and building
the church. Being a dignified
Grand Knight, he allowed himself
only a modest sniffle.
YOUNG, OLD
REJOICE AT
NEW
CHURCH
The dedication of
St. Peter Claver Church
in Lexington, Kentucky
Many young people were
also lined up at the door. Twoyear-old
Ellie was there with
her mom and dad. She eyed
the beautiful baptismal pool as
a possible setting for a future
adventure.
LEFT Bishop
John Stowe,
OFM Conv.,
presides
over the
consecration of
the new church.
ABOVE Father
Norman
Fischer is the
joyful pastor of
St. Peter Claver
LEFT
Clementine
Thomas
remembers
the days
when Black
Catholics were
unwelcome in
churches.
Rio was there with her
mom, Kimathi. She would be
one of the first junior high students
to be confirmed in the
new church later that month.
She was wide-eyed with
expectation, caught up in the
energy she had only before
experienced at pep rallies.
Engaged couple Brennan
and Ben were there. Their wedding
was right around the corner,
and Brennan was thankful
the main aisle in the new
church was so long. Their 10
bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen
would fit just fine.
Father Norman Fischer, the
ebullient and unstoppable pastor
of St. Peter Claver, waited
at the front door along with
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.,
the visionary leader of the
Diocese of Lexington. Father
Fischer opened the door of
the church, saying, “Enter the
gates of the Lord with thanksgiving,
His courts with songs of
praise!”
The wait was over.
Entering with songs of praise
It has been said that “Catholic”
means “here comes everyone.”
In other words, we are a
universal Church where all are