2832 Rosebud Drive

Cincinnati, Ohio 45238

Phone: 513 922- 0715

Parish Website: www..lourdes.org

OLL Church Tour

We are happy you are here. We hope you enjoy your visit with our parish family.

Our Parish History Our Lady of Lourdes Parish began Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927.

The first Mass was celebrated by Father Francis Biendl (1927-1932) in Dr. Charles Murray’s home located near the site of the present church. Six months later the white frame building was completed as the first church. Archbishop John T. McNich-olas was the spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati at that

time. Rapid growth followed. Shortly after the frame church came another frame building was erected to serve as OLL School.

Our first festival was held in 1928. Energetic Father George Grunkemeyer (1932-1945) was OLL’s second pastor. He was suc-ceeded by Father George Lamott (1945-1971).

Under Fr. Lamott, there was tremendous growth in the post-World War II era. In 1948, part of the present school building was built. Until the present church, both the school cafeteria and the gym were used as our church.

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Welcome to Our Lady of Lourdes

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone

who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen

Pastors of Our Lady of Lourdes

Fr. Frances Biendl 1927 — 1932

Fr. George Grunkemeyer 1932 — 1945

Fr. George Lamott 1945 — 1971

Msgr. Robert Tensing 1971 – 1986

Fr. Francis Miller 1986 — 1992

Fr. Edward Rudemiller 1992 - 2005

Fr. David Sunberg 2005 – 2016

Fr. Len Wenke 2016—

Our beautiful hand carved crucifix above our altar was donated by parish-ioner Marion Subler in memory of his late wife Emma Sub-ler in 2006. It was carved in Italy by Moroder Company, the same company that carved the stat-ue of the Risen Christ in the Gather-ing Space and Our Lady of Lourdes by the Altar.

In 1960, the school annex was completed with eight classrooms. It is called St. Bernadette Hall. A convent was built in 1961. Now it is the Parish Office Center. The present church was built in 1967. An outward structure was added in 1981.

Msgr. Tensing was our pastor from 1971 to 1986. He was succeeded by Fr. Francis J. Miller 1986 to 1992 and Fr. Edward L. Rudemiller 1992 to 2005. In 1999, our Fulfilling Our Dream project began. Under Fr. Rudy’s leadership the grotto was moved to Rosebud, Tensing Hall was erected on Glenway, and our Church was renovated.

Our current pastor, Fr. David Sunberg, came to Lourdes in 2005. In commemoration of our parish 80th anniversary in 2007, several parish benefactors added to the beauty of our Church. Under Fr. Dave’s leadership, our church and school continue its strong tradi-tions. The strength of Lourdes is the goodness of its people, mani-fested by a strong faith, deep hope and an active love that cares and shares.

Our parish is named after the apparitions of Our Blessed Moth-er to St. Bernadette Soubirous, at Lourdes France in 1854. The shrine of Lourdes is known for its curative powers. Over five million people visit Lourdes each year. We have much to be thank-ful for here at OLL. God has been very good to us and blessed us with many gifts of His love.

May our Blessed Mother continue to watch over us and keep us close to Jesus.

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As you approach the church from the parking lot, you will first notice the beautiful outside doors made of sturdy oak. They were designed for the Gathering Space to make it handicap accessible. Like our own home, the doors welcome family and friends into our home. We are reminded of the words Jesus says to us, “Knock and it shall be opened to you.” (Lk.11:9) All who pass through these doors are welcomed by Christ and share in His life. As you enter the church you, will be in the

Gathering Space In this space, your attention will be drawn to the FOUR HANGING LIGHT FIXTURES. These are from the original White Frame Church. They were taken out of storage, refinished and polished in 2001. (Left to right) Cross, Ship, HIS, Jesus Christ. The cross is the central im-age of our faith, for by the cross, Christ achieved our salvation. The ship is an ancient image of the church. She sails across the rough waters of life, carrying the pilgrims of Jesus to the promised shores of the Kingdom. The Gathering Space is embellished by beautiful stained glass windows, which are intertwined with four windows from the old Church (1966). The Eucharist (bread & wheat), The Eucharist (wine & grapes), The lily and tools represent St. Joseph, The ros-es and water represent the appearance of Mary at Lourdes, France) and four new ones all designed by parishioner Dee Fagedes. The four new windows representing Baptism, Alpha, Omega, and Matrimony for the new church were created by Riv-er City Glass Company, Northern Kentucky and made by parish-ioner David Danenhauer.

ST. THERESA, LITTLE FLOWER is made of plaster and was pur-chased by Fr. Lamott.

I N F A N T OF P R A G U E is made of p l a s t e r , 1927. De-votion to the infant Jesus, cel-e b r a t e s the “Child of God” - the great

mystery of the incarna-t i o n . T h e child in all of us believes in the humanity and the divinity of Christ, and rejoices in God’s caring love for us.

ST ANTHONY - is made of plaster and was in the White Frame Church, 1927. It was refurbished by alumni and parishioner Aimee Wolf Reilly in 2001.

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THE STATUES around our Church OUR LADY OF LOURDES is made of Linden wood and was hand carved in Italy by the Moroder Co in 2001. SACRED HEART AND ST. JOSEPH are made of Linden wood and were purchased in 1981

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THE RISEN CHRIST The Risen Christ s t a t u e w a s purchased in 2001. It is made of Linden wood and was hand painted by the artisans from the studio of Conrad Moroder in Ortisei, Italy.

BAPTISTRY BOWL The bowl is made of green St. Denis Marble with waves of gold Venetian and was used in the 1966 church. The cover is bronze and includes a cross, knob and lock. The Pedestal was purchased for the present church. It is through the waters of baptism that we are reborn into new life in Christ. It stands at the threshold of the Church to remind us that through baptism we have life also in the Church and the other Sacraments

FULFILLING OUR DREAM MEMORIAL BOOK On the wall by the entrance is a permanent memorial book which lists all of the dedicated and generous people who donated time, treasure and talent to the renovation of our Church and expansion of our beautiful campus.

AS WE LEAVE THE GATHERING SPACE, ENTERING THE MAIN BODY OF THE CHURCH OUR EYES FOCUS ON:

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The ALTAR is the most im-portant part of the Church because it represents Christ who is the center for Our Lady of Lourdes parish fami-ly. It is a symbol of Christ, strong, sturdy, the center of worship of our Church. It is made of oak and contains the front and side panels from the 1966 altar, which are made of Botticino marble. The altar, ambo, credence table, and the pedestals for the statues were made by the Wittrock Company.

A Beautiful HAND-CARVED CRUCIFIX hangs above the altar to remind us that the connection of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the same sacrifice offered on the altar each time Mass is celebrated.

THE ANGELS AND SCRIPT PAINTED above the Altar were done by professional artist, An-drea Frangiosa. This project was a gift from several parishioner families in honor of the 80th anniversary of our parish in 2007.

PROCESSIONAL CRUCIFIX AND STAND behind the present altar were designed and crafted by parishioner

Lou Cassaro. The Corpus was taken from the Cross that hung in the sacristy prior to the renovated church. THURIBLES where incense is burned are from the original Church .

Our beautiful Stained Glass windows from the previous Church (1966): Madonna & Child, Christ & Little Children, and the Risen Christ surround the Archive Room .

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The ARCHIVE ROOM is

the old entrance to the Church. The cross and stained glass hanging was designed by parishioner Dee Fagedes.

ARCHIVE DISPLAY along the wall was built by parishioner Dan Locaputo, Dave Wittrock, and friends and was dedicated to Sr. Ann Mary Lay, RSM, on May 23, 2004 in gratitude for her many years of devotion to OLL as our pastoral minister and archivist.

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The CRY ROOM was erected

in the space that had been

two confessionals in old

church.

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PEWS AND CHAIRS were purchased in 2001 from Sauder Mfg., Archbold, Ohio. The Church seats approximately 964 people. The pews from the previous Church are being used at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Peoples, Ohio.

TO THE LEFT OF THE ALTAR AND AROUND THE REAR OF CHURCH … CHAPEL OF RESERVATION was designed as a place where the Tabernacle containing consecrated hosts are reserved and is a space for private prayer.

Our TABERNACLE dates back to the church when it was in the school gym in the 1960’s. The rail protecting this space is from the 1966 church

communion rail made of Botticino Marble top. The candleholders are made of brass and marble. They were purchased by Fr. Lamott in 1966. SANCTUARY LIGHTS were newly purchased in 2001. Rail pro-tecting this space is from the 1966 church communion rail which had Botticino Marble top. HOLY WATER FONTS were purchased in 1981 and refurbished by parishioner Larry Stock in 2001. As we enter and leave it is tradition to bless ourselves with Holy Water to remind our-selves who we are by baptism, children of God, and that our mission is to go forth and share the Good News of Jesus.

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SACRISTY is in the original space when Church was erected in

1966.

PRESENT SACRISTY CROSS was donated by Ed and Betty Burke in memory of their son, James Edward who died October 25, 1967, at age 18, from cancer. It had Previously hung above the Altar (1981).

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS of 1966 that

were behind the choir, are now in the sacristy

and in confessionals to the right of altar.

VOTIVE

CANDLE AREA

THE PIETA …...was purchased in 1967 by Fr. Lamott. It was purchased through Amerigo di Martino Barsanti and is made of Carrara marble. The Pieta was donated by Katherine Huelsman. Stand donated by Florence Bruns, our sacristan and housekeeper for many years.

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SOUND SYSTEM was

purchased from Nor-Com.

PIANO is a Wurlitzer purchased

in 2001 and has an electric at-

tachment. Cost $15,000.00. This

was donated anonymously.

ORGAN was purchased in Sep-

tember, 1978 .

TWO CONFESSIONALS next to

organ and choir space are in their

original space, plus the mosaic

glass windows from the old

church have been added. It is here

that the sinner is reconciled to the

Lord and to the Church.

PLAQUES on the side wall are erected in honor of our past pastors. The first plaque purchased was of Fr. Lamott after his death. Msgr. Tensing’s plaque was put up when he retired. The first two pas-tor’s, Fr. Biendl and Fr. Grunkemeyer, were crafted and hung after Fr. Edward Rudemiller arrived.

FOURTEEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS are from school gym church, cleaned and refurbished by parishion-ers Dee Fagedes and Lynn Stock in 2001.