Convalescent Hospitals / Women's Guild

In 1973 at the request of Bishop Willinger, we changed our by-laws and our name from Altar Society to the Women's Guild.

This enlarged our activities to include Charitable, which resulted in Convalescent Hospitals monthly Mass for the occupants, beginning in 1981 which was received with much acclaim, including certificates of appreciation from Beverly Manner.

In 9176 Margaret Haberman, a member of the Legion of Mary visited the Convalescent Hospitals but no Communion was given.

The Nuns from Guadalupe Church trained the men and women as Eucharistic Ministers. In 1981 Monsignor Rechenmacher was the Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Father Marth was a priest there and he requested that the ladies become Eucharistic Ministers.
At that time Irene Kirschenman became Margaret Haberman's assistant to the Convalescent Hospitals.
Monsignor Braum came to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in 1987. He asked Irene Kirschenman to train Eucharistic for the Altar, which she then did.
Irene took charge of the Convalescent Hospitals in 1996. She and her dedicated friends would go on the second and third Tuesday of every month from September till June to Beverly Manner, then Pleasant Care Convalescent Hospitals.... "We would arrive at 9:00 AM, set up the Altar in the dining room area, then bring all the Catholic patients in. At 10:00 AM Monsignor Braun arrives and is ready to officiate his duties as a priest.
We record all this activity incase a parishioner inquiries if their loved one attended Mass, was anointed and received Holy Communion."

Irene Kirschenman
October 10, 2004

Information from:
Patricia Eagleson: Historian
Margaret Haberman
Irene Kirschenman

History of Women's Guild
One of the oldest organization of OLPH, the Women's Guild, was established in 1949 with six founding members. One of these members, Pat Eagleson, is still a very active member of the Guild. Originally our group was called the Altar and Rosary Society, then the Altar Society, and finally in 1973 our name was changed to Women's Guild.

Our original group was very involved with the care of the Altar, the linens,flowers, and cleaning of Altar Boy robes. With the consecration of our Church at its present location in 1952, the Guild was instrumental in helping outfit the new church, working closely with then pastor Msgr. Joseph Smith.

Women,s Guild now has a membership of approximately 65 ladies. Our activities include cleaning of the altar once a month and assisting at monthly mass on the 2nd Tuesdays at Beverly Manor, and the 3rd. Tuesdays at Pleasant Care.We have an active Prayer Line of 36 ladies for anyone in need of prayers. We also have a charitable group who provide a nice meal for deceased members family or deceased immediate family member During the year, our member Shirley Lucas arranges some very nice trips. Shirley also keeps everyone informed with a monthly newsletter.
Our fund raisers include two bake sales each year. We also are in charge of Grandma's Attic for the Mardi Gras each year.

Or meetings are held the 1st Monday of the month in the Church Hall at 2:00pm,Sept. through April. Twice a year we have a Corporate Mass followed by a continental breakfast and guest speaker. One of our nicest events is the Spring Salad Luncheon held each May on the patio of Pat Eagleson's lovely home.

We are very interested in increasing our active membership. This is a wonderful organization for the ladies of the parish- especially those who might be experiencing the "empty nest" home- when you no longer have children in school, but would like to stay in contact with other ladies in the parish. Dues are $10.00 a year. Anyone interested in our group please call:

Joann West 871-8294, president: or Mary Crosen 871-3498, membership chairman.
Or prayer line chairman is Shirley Gates, 871-7731