THE GROWTH OF A VATICAN II PARISH
The parish was slow in ushering in changes which came from Vatican II in the 1960's. It is said that Fr. Hegarty was not particularly fond of Mass in the vernacular or other changes which shook Church life following the Council. These reforms fell into the capable hands of the parish’s fifth pastor, Father Harold Cremins. Father Cremins was not a stranger to the parish when he was appointed in 1971. In fact he served as administrator for some time previous to his appointment as pastor.
Father Cremins is remembered as a kind and gentle man. He spent every lunch hour in the school playground visiting with the children. He w few words, and his Sunday homilies rarely lasted longer than five minutes. Yet behind his calm demeanor was an intelligent and excellent administrator.
His first task was to remodel the church building, now nearly twenty years old, so that it adap post-Vatican II liturgy. The altar was moved forward and appointments were simplified. He allowed the introduction of guitar-led folk liturgical music. He oversaw the training of new ministers who served as lectors and communion ministers.
It was Father Cremins who officially recognized and empowered the Spanish speaking community to become more involved in parish life. In 1973 he instituted a weekly Spanish Mass and saw to the training of Spanish speaking catechists and ministers.
The parish community, now well over 2500 families, continued to grow in spiritual development. Above all, Father Cremins fostered lay involvement and encouraged lay leadership. Parish coordinators of youth ministry and religious education were hired. He created other opportunities of spiritual life in the parish: Charismatic prayer groups, Marriage Encounter groups, Bible studies, parish missions, and the liturgy committee.
Father Cremins’ style once again fostered the same spirit so evidenced by his predecessors: St. Margaret Mary is a people’s parish. His short pastorate ended upon his retirement in 1978, and soon after resigned from the priesthood. Yet Harold Cremins will long be remembered as a wonderful spiritual father who tirelessly empowered his parish to new levels of involvement and leadership. He died in 1996.
Michael Molina
May 14, 2007
Father Cremins is remembered as a kind and gentle man. He spent every lunch hour in the school playground visiting with the children. He w few words, and his Sunday homilies rarely lasted longer than five minutes. Yet behind his calm demeanor was an intelligent and excellent administrator.
His first task was to remodel the church building, now nearly twenty years old, so that it adap post-Vatican II liturgy. The altar was moved forward and appointments were simplified. He allowed the introduction of guitar-led folk liturgical music. He oversaw the training of new ministers who served as lectors and communion ministers.
It was Father Cremins who officially recognized and empowered the Spanish speaking community to become more involved in parish life. In 1973 he instituted a weekly Spanish Mass and saw to the training of Spanish speaking catechists and ministers.
The parish community, now well over 2500 families, continued to grow in spiritual development. Above all, Father Cremins fostered lay involvement and encouraged lay leadership. Parish coordinators of youth ministry and religious education were hired. He created other opportunities of spiritual life in the parish: Charismatic prayer groups, Marriage Encounter groups, Bible studies, parish missions, and the liturgy committee.
Father Cremins’ style once again fostered the same spirit so evidenced by his predecessors: St. Margaret Mary is a people’s parish. His short pastorate ended upon his retirement in 1978, and soon after resigned from the priesthood. Yet Harold Cremins will long be remembered as a wonderful spiritual father who tirelessly empowered his parish to new levels of involvement and leadership. He died in 1996.
Michael Molina
May 14, 2007
