Wit and Wisdom Of and About
the Oblates of Mary Immaculate

by Dr. Elaine Newsome, PhD

Dedication

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate served St. Ann Parish for 65 years, beginning on June 24, 1934, when the Fayetteville Unit of the Colored Catholic League of North Carolina held its organizational meeting at the home of Mrs. C.A. Cameron, with Fr. Matthew Noonan, OMI. and Fr. Neil Sullivan, O.M.I. as advisors. From October 27, 1939, when Fr. William P. Ryan. OMI. arrived as first pastor of St. Ann Parish, until June 26, 1994, when the final Oblate pastor, Fr. Harry Winter, OMI, celebrated the last Sunday Mass of the Oblate administration, over 75 Oblates will have ministered to the parishioners of St. Ann. There were 11 pastors (Fr. Ryan serving twice), several associate pastors, many summer replacements, and many more Oblates who preached parish retreats, novenas and led workshops. To one and all, our deepest gratitude, love and prayers.

The Parishioners of St. Ann Catholic Church

April 30, 1994

X X X

Once upon a time, back in the days when a Catholic was rarely to be seen in the streets of Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate began to come into town, one by one, sometimes even two by two. Now in the early days of their coming, when Catholics were few and far between, Black Catholics were even fewer and farther between. It was into this small body of Black Catholics that the first Oblate priest, Father William P. Ryan, came to begin St. Ann Church, Fayetteville’s first Catholic parish for Blacks. He was soon joined by Father George Buckley, O.M.I., his assistant.

Fr. John Ryan celebrated the first Mass for St. Ann parish on Christmas Eve 1939 in Mack's Barber Shop on Gillespie Street.

From that time, God was especially bountiful in conversions and additions to the church membership so that during the tenures of Fathers Edward Moan, Matthew Noonan, William Lynch, Patrick Mangan, George White, John Lyons, Richard Roche, John McHugh, Patrick Hollywood and Harry Winter — all Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate — the little mission of African-American Catholics expanded into a multicultural congregation of more than 2,000 members and a physical complex of four buildings: a church, a school, a parish hall and a rectory/office.

During the almost 55 years of its existence, St. Ann’s Oblate priests have touched every facet of the lives of its members — and in their lives as in those of any story, the happy ending did not occur without some obstacles, some occasional clouds on the horizon. Without an occasional touch of humor from priests and parishioners, St. Ann’s could not have succeeded. Over the years, not only have the Oblates provided spiritual sustenance to St. Ann’s parishioners, they have been an integral part of the everyday lives of the people.

While none of us could ever forget the Oblates collectively, neither could most of us forget the individual personalities and accomplishments of these wonderful priests. Only because of their patience, their compassion and, very importantly, their wit and wisdom, has St. Ann prospered in every way.

Never has the life of the church been so much a part of the lives of the parishioners as it was during the early days of the parish. The small membership was conducive to a sense of extended family. With the daily and Sunday Masses, the Wednesday night St. Jude Novena, the Sunday evening Benediction services, occasional mission weeks and nine-day Sacred Heart and St. Ann Novenas, there was frequent contact with one another and with Fathers Ryan and Buckley. Additionally, the church contributed much to the parishioners’ social lives, of which summertime outings to Jones Lake State Park were the biggest family events. It was on one such outing that the now, and very often repeated familiar lines, "That’s no White man; that’s Father Ryan," became virtually a part of the church history.

There were other outings of different types. One of particular significance was a trip to Sanford where the then Monsignor Fulton Sheen was visiting at the invitation of a Black school teacher who had heard his radio lectures. The Mitchell family was thrilled to sit outside on a summer evening, among a large crowd of clergy and laity, and hear Monsignor Sheen talk about Our Lady of Lourdes, concluding with his famous rendition of "Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue."

Of course, it was impossible to be in the company of these Oblates, including Father Ryan, without appreciating the very holiness of their vocations to the priesthood. On the other hand, it was refreshing to sometimes witness their humanity. For example, Father Ryan could become righteously militant when he sensed a hint of racism.

Such appeared to be the case during the building of the church, which Father Ryan observed day by day, brick by brick. Suspecting inferior workmanship and materials, he confronted the contractor and charged, "You think you can get away with this because it’s a Negro church. Well, you can’t!" Father Ryan followed this accusation with a stronger challenge, something involving physical contact. Anyway, it worked. The builder dismantled his sloppy work and re-did it.

Father Winter shares a most revealing story on this subject. In November 1991, after he visited Father Hollywood in Tewksbury, Mass., Father Winter also visited at length with Father Ryan, who related the following incident.

In 1951, when the Diocese of Raleigh covered the entire state, Father Ryan was asked by the Knights of Columbus to preach a retreat to all their members. The retreat took place at Belmont Abbey during the summer of 1951. During the retreat, father grew increasingly convinced that the Knights were discriminatory against Black Catholics. After a great deal of prayer and soul-searching, he decided to present his evidence to them during the final event, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

As he left the chapel, several Knights came up to him and asked where he was parked. When he told them, they informed him that feelings against him were so high that they were going to escort him to his car for safety. Quite amazed, he told them he wouldn’t need their help, but they insisted. As they drew near the car, one very angry leader of the Knights did accost him and told Father Ryan that the bishop would be personally informed of the grave and erroneous statements father had made.

Early the following week, Father Ryan received his official transfer from St. Ann. He never asked Bishop Waters nor the Oblate provincial about the suddenness of the transfer, but he did wonder about it.

Then with twinkling eyes, Father Ryan told Father Winter that the story wasn’t yet finished. When he returned as pastor in 1968, he was asked to give a short prayer service at St. Ann for local Knights. As he finished and visited with the Knights outside, a many came up and said, "Father, I want to apologize most deeply for a grave injustice I committed against you many years ago." It was the Knight who had accosted him!

Some of the most amusing — and most troubling — incidents have, or course, involved racial differences. Father Moan was known and admired for his ability to appeal to and communicate with children. His car could be seen at any time picking up children all over town and taking them to various points of interest, one of which was the very popular swimming pool for Blacks at Seabrook Park. Imagine the confusion of the non-Catholic children there as they saw this man, obviously white, constantly being called "father" by his young black companions. No longer able to contain his curiosity, one small non-Catholic boy asked, "Is he your father?" How fitting that Father Moan, with his love of children, is remembered for the establishment of St. Ann School.

Apparently, Father Moan was not the only Oblate naturally gifted in child psychology. Father Lynch had such a strong influence that he was able to convince the children at St. Ann School that cleaning the rectory was an enviable privilege. In fact, he rewarded students’ good behavior and academic performance with a chance to help clean the rectory during the week. (And they "bought into this!")

Father Noonan was appreciated not only for his supervising the construction of the much needed rectory for our priests, but also for his sensitivity and understanding of those pre-air conditioning days, when he tailored the length of his homilies as needed if it was either too hot or too cold for his parishioners to be in the church for a long sermon.

During the time of Father Ryan’s tenure as provincial, he was required to visit St. Ann in that capacity. Terry Allan recalls her first meeting with him and it goes something like this.

As a member of the Altar-Rosary Society, Terry, eight and a half months pregnant, was on her knees scrubbing the rectory kitchen in preparation for the visit of the provincial, which was scheduled for a much later hour. She was tapped on the shoulder and heard, "My dear young lady, I did not know that I was that important." She turned and saw Father Ryan who had arrived early. He first gave her a blessing, then said, "My next duty is to write up the priest who would dare put a woman in your condition on the floor."

Shortly afterward, Father Ryan was to return to St. Ann to serve as pastor for three years. Terry Allan and others speak of their memories of his meaningful association with their families. Larry Brooker recalls a time when his son, then in second grade, was preparing for his First Communion. During his period of preparation, the family decided to have a St. Patrick’s Day party and invited Father Ryan, who came and brought some of the sisters from St. Ann School. Not only did Father Ryan attend the party, but he said Mass in the Brooker home.

Before the Mass, he asked Kevin how he would like to make his First Communion at home. When Kevin replied that he would like to, father asked several questions then and there to determine whether Kevin’s preparation was adequate in this area. With one of the sisters serving as his consultant, his "expert in the booth," Kevin demonstrated adequate knowledge and received his First Communion at home.

Most long-time parishioners recall much about Father Ryan because he was first and because he served two terms. However, every Oblate who served and most of those who passed through had strong positive influence in some way. Although Father George White served only briefly as St. Ann’s pastor, this Oblate also left his mark in most important and practical ways. It was he who noticed that the drinking water in St. Ann School was warm. Using money he had been given as a departure gift, he arranged to have cooler fountains installed.

In recent years, Father Winter learned of another of Father White’s legacies. Until his coming to St. Ann, the sisters were without their own transportation. Can you imagine how inconvenient this must have been? Father White asked Bishop Waters to provide an automobile and he did. Some would consider this a small miracle. Anyway, the sisters’ car may be something you take for granted. Well, don’t.

After Father White’s brief tenure at St. Ann came Father Mangan, a gifted preacher with strong pride in his Irish heritage. Parishioners often said of Father Mangan, "He’d give you the coat off his back." Well, he proved it. As far as could be determined, he owned one coat, actually, a rather short jacket, which he wore throughout the winter, regardless of weather. One night, when one of the ever-present callers came to the rectory door looking for a hand-out, Father Mangan literally gave him the coat off his back. He really "suited the action to the word."

Our beloved Father John A. Lyons is remembered as the pastor who conceived of a multi-purpose parish building and made it a reality. The building of the church hall could have been much more difficult without the large number of willing volunteers enlisted by Father Lyons and without the practically painless money-raising drive. Parishioners seemed to feel that if this soft-spoken, reverent man asked for their physical and financial help, it must truly be needed and they gave. Not only did they give, but most of all, Father Lyons gave of himself.

Father Lyons was succeeded by Father Roche, a no-nonsense priest of strong convictions, which he stated often and unequivocally. His planning and directing the beautiful renovation of the church revealed his surprising sense of aesthetic beauty. Visitors to the church still express admiration and curiosity, especially concerning the unique and attractive windows. Father Roche must have carried out this and other tasks while suffering a painful terminal illness. He left an enduring legacy.

Parishioners eagerly looked forward to Father Roche’s successor and wondered what he would be like. Father McHugh appeared at a time when St. Ann was not exactly basking in wealth, and he recognized the need to increase finances. Not only did he revitalize the weekly bingo games, he also called bingo, sold bingo cards and acted as chief advertising agent, doing everything possible to make it successful, and it was. Father McHugh was also concerned about parish unity and, in order to promote it, he encouraged the occasional picnics in Mazarick Park so that St. Ann’s members who never met one another would have a chance to meet and socialize. Did he realize that mothers and their pre-school children would socialize each school day at the lovely Marian grotto he helped build?

When Father McHugh moved on, as all Oblates must move on, Father Patrick Hollywood came to St. Ann, arriving at the height of a terrific thunderstorm. Were the elements saying something to or about him or St. Ann’s parish? His tenure was too brief, but stimulating and enjoyable. After St. Ann recovered from the initial shock of his departure, everyone could still say, "Horray for Hollywood!" Thanks to his gift for gardening, Father Hollywood’s presence is still felt, especially in the spring with the coming of the azaleas and other gorgeous flowers around the rectory.

When St. Ann Parish began its journey with the Oblates, who would have thought it would ever end? The parish had settled into the contentment and joy of a comfortable permanence. It had moved from Father Ryan, the Alpha, to Father Winter, who was to become the Omega, although at first the parish did not know this. At this point, in the parish’s history there are so many coincidences as to seem providential. Father Winter had been concerned that the Korean Catholic Community of Fayetteville would feel at home as a component of St. Ann Parish. (Fathers McHugh and Hollywood had begun this development.) He discovered that one member of the KCCF, Mrs. Garland Hailey, was a widow. Her husband was the first Black soldier to give his life in the Persian Gulf War. Father arranged that our yearly Family Mass, celebrated in the African-American style, would honor the sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Hailey, and give his young son Anthony a memorable moment. He called Anthony forward and made us promise as a church that we would do all in our power that Anthony would be fully Black, fully Korean, fully American and fully Catholic! Wit, wisdom and the Holy Spirit will be needed to help keep our promise.

Father Winter’s presence was just what was needed when Father Ryan was called to Our Lord on Christmas Eve 1993, 53 years to the day from his first Mass in St. Ann Church. If all the Oblates had been present, they would have been grateful for his beautiful Memorial Mass Jan. 5, 1994. Father Winter leaves us this memory and many others — of devotion, compassion, justice and wit and wisdom. We thank him.

And that is the story of the Oblates at St. Ann. With the deepest possible love, gratitude, best wishes and prayers of the parish, we know that they will live happily ever after.

Copyright © 2006. St. Ann Catholic Church. All rights reserved