HISTORY OF THE SODALITY AT GOOD SHEPHERD

 

The history of the Ladies Sodality at Good Shepherd Parish can best be viewed throught the lens of the history of the Catholic Church in South Baltimore and Northern Anne Arundel County. In 1890, there were only 34 Catholic Churches in the city of Baltimore. At that time, the Archdiocese of Baltimore was led by James Cardinal Gibbons who felt that the good people who lived south of Baltimore were too far removed from a church and he directed that a parish be established in the south end of the city which was then part of Anne Arundel County. A small church was built in the factory town of Curtis Bay.

There were many Irish Catholic families living in the area at that time, so he chose Rev. James Matthews, who was at that time Assistant Pastor at Saint Mary Star of the Sea in South Baltimore. Saint Mary Star of the Sea had been established in 1868 at Riverside Avenue and Gittings Street. The new church was named St. Athanasius. Father Matthews was later transferred to Washington, D.C. and was succeeded by Father Gallagher. Father Gallagher was confronted with insurmountable difficulties when the sugar refinery, which provided employment to many of the parishoners, was forced out of existance. At that time, most of the English speaking (Irish) residents were forced to seek employment elsewhere and a large influx of Polish immigrants moved in when they left. The change in ethnicity resulted in a breakdown in communications between the church and its parishoners due to the language barrier. The chuch was deeply in debt when Father Gallagher was succeeded by Father Duszynski, who through his knowledge of East European languages, was able to bring the parishoners together. During the period of his leadership of St. Athanasius, the Catholic population continued to grow.

To understand how extensive the parish of St. Athanasius had become we must understand that its boundaries included areas now known as Fairfield, Wagners Point, Brooklyn, Linthicum, Glen Burnie, Riviera Beach, and all surrounding beaches. Click here for more information on Curtis Bay.

Father Marzecki succeeded Father Duszynski, who in turn was succeeded by Father Sandalgi. Father Sandalgi remained at St. Athanasius for 46 years. He purchased a horse and buggy to cover the vast area he had to serve in order to minister to the faithful wherever they were found. He saw the need to establish a mission church and established St. Rose of Lima in Brooklyn in 1914. The Catholic Church in Anne Arundel continued to grow and the need for a church in the Glen Burnie area resulted in the establishment of Holy Trinity in 1922. Further growth in the county led to the establishment of St. Jane Francis de Chantal in 1946, St. Philip Neri in 1964, and finally, our Good Shepherd parish in 1972.

NOW FOR THE CREATION OF THE SODALITY OF THE HOLY ROSARY

The ladies Sodality of the Holy Rosary was organized October 7, 1906 at St. Athanasius in Curtis Bay as a means to create "fellowship" among the faithful. Sodality members helped by providing coffe and donuts which were enjoyed by all and gave parishoners a chance to socialize. At that time in history, the church was the center of all the faithful's social lives.

It was not until 1934 that Father Lannon organized the Sodality at Holy Trinity. Records show the first treasurer's report was entered in December or 1934. Meetings were held in the basement of the church. When Father Lannon left, Father Bowling replaced him and formed a Sanctuary Society to care for church linens, a sick committee, and a vacation bible school. Sometime in the 1940's, Father Austin T. Murphy came to Holy Trinity and was quoted as saying " The Sodality is the right arm of the priest, a faithful and active Sodality means a successful parish. He based his strong support of the Sodality on 5 Cs: Conviction, Concentrtion, Courage,Constancy, and Charm. Father Murphy later became Bishop Austim T. Murphy. In the 1940s, some events had to be cancelled due to gas rationing and blackout regulations.

Father Sauerwein arrived at Holy Trinity in 1948 and met with the Sodality ladies. At that time, membership was 135 women, ranging from young girls to old women. Miraculous Medal Novenas were held with meetings afterwards. The Sodality sponsored breakfasts and bake sales.

In 1964, St. Philip Neri Parish was formed and they organized thier own Sodality.

In 1976, the Holy Trinity Sodality was invited to Good Shepherd to have their meeting and a for social evening with Father Kelly and the Ladies of Good Shepherd. From this meeting, the Sodality was formed at Good Shepherd

The goals of the Sodality are Spiritual. They are a source of strength and financial help to the pastor. The Ladies Sodality have through the years sold everything from ladies chapel hats, bibs for newly christened babies, war bonds and supplied food for the needy, provided help for our troops in Iraq, prayed for the sick, established prayer lines, arranged to have statues refinished, provided flowers for the altar, and vacation bible school refreshments.

WHEREVER THERE IS A NEED IN OUR PARISH OR COMMUNITY, WE HELP!

Click here to read a document on the history of Sodality from the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia