Other Aspects of Parish Life

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St. Mary, Rockport
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Fr. Calvey
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Depression Years
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Parish Cemetery
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Aspects of Parish Life
Pastorate of Fr. Kelly
Hunger Center
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Pastoral Council
Reaching Out
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Year of Celebration
Parish Leaders
Daughter Parishes

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Pope Plus XII had begun liturgical reform in the 1950s with the restoration of the Holy Week ceremonies, the change in Communion fast laws, permission for evening Masses, and the beginning of congregational participation.

Msgr. Thorpe instituted the latter reform at St. Patrick's by asking former servers to lead the congregation in the "dialogue Mass." Pope John XXIII continued his predecessor's reforms and opened Vatican Council II. The council, with its call for the pastoral reform of the Church, continued under Pope Paul VI.

Msgr. Thorpe's birthday on March 17 became part of parish tradition. Students came to the patronal Mass and then gathered in the area between the church and rectory to sing "Happy Birthday." In appreciation, the pastor gave them the rest of the day off.

The annual $1,000 raffle of the Holy Name Society (the title The Calvey Club was dropped in 1954) became the 500 Club in 1959. In its 35 years of existence, this club brought many thousands of dollars to the parish. It was replaced in 1994 with the 300 Club when it was no longer profitable.

Daniel Chambers and Margaret Boone organized a minstrel show in the spring of 1961. "On with the Show" was staged May 27 and 28, the first show of the new parish Drama Club. The annual production was moved from the church basement to the gym in the fall of 1965.

By this time, the school had grown to more than 1,600 students and there were over 800 public school students coming to religion classes. Fr. Anthony Dodd, an assistant, organized a CCD program with over 60 volunteers serving as principals, teachers and home visitors. A special education CCD program was organized with the help of Kathy Gilmore in 1965 to help physically and mentally handicapped parishioners prepare for the sacraments. Fr. Joe Yarnovic, another assistant, was instrumental in establishing social groups for young parishioners. He began a short-lived Young Adults group for singles between 18 and 30, the first since the Patrician Club. This group ended in 1970. He also helped organize the parish Drill Team, which marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade for the first time in 1965 and is still winning prizes. As moderator of the Hi Club, he had the teens enter award-winning floats in the parade.
The Drill Team, organized in 1965, has become a staple attraction in Cleveland's St. Patrick's Day Parade
By the summer of 1966, Msgr. Thorpe's health was failing. He decided the bazaar that summer would be the last - there had been too many problems in previous years. He celebrated his 50th anniversary on June 5, but, because of his health, had to say a private Mass. He was still able to attend a testimonial dinner that night as guest of honor.

On Sunday, July 31, the parish prayed for its pastor, who had been hospitalized about a week. Msgr. Thorpe died that afternoon. Bishop Clarence Issenmann offered the funeral Mass and Msgr. William Newton preached.