Bulletin Column from March 5, 2023

One of the things which I enjoy about being a parish priest is learning about the history of our parishes. Last Friday, at the famous Saint Mary’s stations of the cross, I had an organist play organ accompaniment during the Stabat Mater hymn. It was beautiful to hear almost 200 voices singing along to the organ. Afterwards, the organist was telling me a little bit about the organs at our two parishes. The organ at Saint Mary’s was installed in 1931! Recently, I went up to the choir loft and examined this organ. It is absolutely beautiful. This organ was made by the famous Schaefer Pipe Organ Company out of Slinger (Schleisingerville) Wisconsin. Bernard Schaefer was the founder of the Schaefer Organ Company. He was originally a watch and jewelry maker from Bavaria. However, he eventually transferred his skills to making organs and then handed his business over to his three sons. To this day, the museum in Slinger has a display of a Schaefer organ. The organ at Saint Frances Cabrini is also a Schaefer organ. In fact, I have been told that it was the last Schaefer organ ever installed. It has around one thousand pipes tucked behind the organ screen. I have come to realize that many people do not know that behind the crucifix is an organ screen and the pipes are back behind it. Like the organ at Saint Mary’s, it is an impressive musical instrument.

I am committed to keeping our organs in tip-top shape, not only because they add history to our parishes, but they also add a dimension to worship that is transcendent and stunning. The Second Vatican Council, for their part, professed their love for the pipe organ when they said that “In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things.” Thank you to all our organists, pianists, musicians, cantors, and choir members, for assisting us in our Sacred Liturgies!

This is a photo of the largest pipes built by the Schaefer Organ Company in Schleisingerville. Joseph Schaefer Jr (top) is holding the pipe and Albert J. Schaefer is on the ground.
https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ACG6MYYCI7DMHS9A