Through the Years

A look at news stories from the "Intermountain Catholic" archives.

5 YEARS AGO: Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey to the United States occurred April 15-20, 2008. The Most Rev. John C. Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City, was in Washington D.C. when the pope arrived. At the time, Bishop Wester was chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Immigration and Refugees, and "Pope Benedict gave us a context in which to discuss immigration," Bishop Wester said.

10 YEARS AGO: The Most Rev. George Niederauer, eighth Bishop of Salt Lake City, was presented with the Christus St. Joseph Villa’s 14th annual Continuum of Care Award on April 2, 2003.

15 YEARS AGO: Three priests of the Diocese of Salt Lake City were invested monsignors on April 22, 1988 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine: Fathers James T. Kenny, John J. Sullivan and John J. Hedderman. The Mass in honor of the occasion was celebrated by Bishop William K. Weigand and concelebrated by retired Bishop Joseph L. Federal and 22 of their fellow priests and monsignors.

25 YEARS AGO: An Easter Sunday Open House at the Cathedral of the Madeleine drew 1,500 people, the April 19, 1963 Intermountain Catholic Register reported. Parish priests, Victory Noll sisters and Holy Cross sisters "mingled with the guests and chatted with many who never had spoken before to a priest or Sister," the paper reported.

50 YEARS AGO: "According to reports from many of the parishes of the Diocese of Salt Lake, the crowds attending Mass on the Feast of the Resurrection were unprecedented," the April 24, 1938 Register reported. "The Cathedral, mother church of the diocese, counted a total of 3,500; St. Joseph’s, Ogden, next in size and importance, saw well over 2,000 worshipers within its walls in the morning, with many non-Catholics present for the Solemn Mass at 10:30. In Logan, the most recent mission established in the diocese, the Rev. Charles E. Freegard said Mass for a group numbering 85, while Our Lady of Guadalupe, Salt Lake City, was taxed beyond capacity to accommodate 575, breaking all records in the history of the mission."

100 YEARS AGO: "One of the most successful social events in church circles was the brilliant card party given Wednesday evening in Cathedral hall under the auspices of the Promoters of the League of the Sacred Heart for the benefit of the statue fund," the April 19, 1913 Intermountain Catholic reported. "Over thirty tables were filled with players while many others came in to enjoy the musical and refreshments. Mrs. A.H.S. Bird and Mrs. Willard Hamer welcomed the guests at the door, and was assisted during the evening by a number of the young girls of the parish. Mrs. L.M. Crawford, chairman of the table and prize committee, was assisted by Miss Margaret Carlin, Miss Agnes Ryan, Miss Josephine Koch and Miss Walton. Mrs. James O’Connor presided over the refreshments and was assisted by Miss Mabelle Stephens, Miss Katherine O’Rourke, Miss Julia Stephens, Miss Agnes Bowen, Miss Genevieve O’Connor, Miss Agnes Crawford and Miss Annie Lannon."