Catholic War Veterans Bishop McNicolas Post 1916 History July 1, 2022 ~ June 30, 2023
- post19165
- Nov 4, 2022
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 22, 2024
History Report July 1, 2022 ~ June 30, 2023
Members: 30
Springfield, IL
LIST OF OFFICERS AND APPOINTEES
Chaplain ~Fr. Stephen Thompson
President’s reports and accomplishments ~ Tim Kennedy
Accomplishments from Post 1916
1) Have parceled out 200 car tickets to Post 1916 and other active
Posts in State of Illinois
2) Post 1916 received First and Second Place Nationally for Valentine's
Day Poster Contest thanks to 3rd Vice, Dale Smith
3) Been having monthly Memorial Masses in Springfield and surrounding
area at Parishes to honor deceased war veterans
4) Post 1916 and other State CWV Posts are preparing Semi-Annual
Post Activity Report for January - June 2023
5) Our State and Post Historian, Rose Connolly participated in the
Operation Dessert Storm Remembrance on Tuesday, February 28, 2023
at the Illinois State Military Museum
6) The Post has taken "Servant of God", Father Emil Kapaun into our prayers.
First Vice President’s programs and reports ~ Charlie Jiardina
Second Vice President’s programs and reports ~ Michael Stillwell
Third Vice President’s programs and reports ~ Dale Smith
Welfare Officer’s programs and reports ~ Dennis Kirchgesner
VAVS Projects ~
Ritual Officer ~
Historian’s written History ~ Rose Connolly (report follows)
This is the board that we display at all or our Memorial Masses. Names are listed per sponsorship at the petitions.
Pictured above is the names of the deceased Catholic War Veterans remembered at our Memorial Mass. This board is brought to each of our Masses and displaced in the vestibule as we greet parishioners.
Memorial Mass at Christ the King Church June 12, 2022
Pictured above: Pat Noel, Fr. Clint Honkomp, Peggy Billhartz, and Leon Scott. Although this photo is outside of this reporting period, it was left off of the previous Post 1916 History Report.
July 4, 2022
What better way to be thankful on this Independence Day but by thanking God
Pictured: Dennis Guernsey (MAL), Tim Kennedy, Dennis Kirchgesner, Peggy Billhartz, Pat Noel, Rose Connolly and our new post chaplain, Fr Thompson.
Memorial Mass at St. Peter Church
711 S. 6th St, Petersburg, IL – Phone :217-632-7118 July 10, 2022 8:00 am.
Pictured above: Peggy Billhartz, Dale Smith, Fr Darren, Pat Noel and Darrel Roll.
Memorial Mass at Church of the Little Flower August 07, 2022
Pictured above: Dale Smith, Rose Connolly, Fr Al, Pat Noel and Peggy Billhartz.
Our Post Commander, Tim Kennedy, went on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight on Aug 30, 2022. Pictured below and Rose Connolly at the airport welcoming. welcomed them to the homecoming at the airport along with a big crowd of supporters.
Mike Stillwell was also on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight on Aug 30 2022.
Catholic War Veterans Post 1916 was asked and honored to perform the Flag raising on the anniversary of 911 at St Cabrini Fall Festival at St. Cabrini Church. Prayer that was read is attached. The live video can be viewed here:
This prayer that was read
Memorial Mass at St. Joseph Church
1345 North 6th St - Phone: 217-544-7426 September 18, 2022 9:30 am
Pictured above: Tim Kennedy, Dale Smith, Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, Deacon Lawrence H. Day, Leon and Pat Noel.
The National Convention honored Post 1916 with the Silver Award for a small Post and the Department of Illinois received the Silver Award for a small Department.
Welcome Home Dale Smith from his Land of Lincoln Honor Flight on Sep 27. 2022
Memorial Mass at Holy Cross Church in Auburn, IL -Pictured Dale Smith, Leon Scott, Fr James Palakudy, Rose Connolly, Peggy Billhartz and Pat Noel. ( I especially like the server in the background)
The alter was nicely decorated with exotic gourds.
Our post lost one of it's members:
Ronald Hefer
Auburn, Illinois
February 29, 1936 - October 30, 2022
Ronald Hefer, 86 of Auburn passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 at his home.
He was born Feb. 29, 1936 in Staunton, the son of John and Eva Mull Hefer. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Judy Ealey.
Ron married JoAnn Janowiak on Nov 17, 1959.
Ron serviced in the Navy Reserve. He was a member of St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham and Knights of Columbus. He was employed at Bunn Capitol and Brakebush Brothers retiring in 2005.
Ron enjoyed traveling to Branson and Arizona. He loved his family, grandkids, good food and good conversation.
Surviving are his wife, JoAnn; two daughters, Beth Ann (Ken) Warner of Florida and Michele (Tony) Johnson of Divernon; one son, Brian D. (Judy) Hefer of Northfield, MN; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Prayer service will be held at 4pm with visitation following from 4:30pm till 7pm, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 at Bramley Funeral Home in Auburn. Additional visitation will be from 9am till time of funeral mass at 10am, Friday at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham with Rev. Joe Molloy officiating. Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/26259632/ronald-hefer/auburn/illinois/bramley-funeral-home?fbclid=IwAR0NY3hi_QHp9Y0RvoJ7WTjjrjiwjwuX1vzF9ObHjnmg-DJrUJ3AQYHSDo8
Memorial Mass at St. Mary’s Church
116 W. Adams St, Taylorville, IL- Phone: 217-824-8178 November 06, 2022 11:00 am
Pictured Below: Charles Jiardina, Leon Scott, Rose Connolly, Fr Paul (visiting priest from Poland), Peggy Bilhartz, Dale Smith, and Pat Noel.
Our Memorial Mass was included in page 3 of the bulletin.
Our Catholic War Veterans post was represented in a chilly Veterans Day Parade in Springfield, IL. The magnets do not stick to Peggy's (super cool) Viper so Rose did the driving. Besides, at that speed she'd be riding the clutch. Here's our entry. After that we both made it to the Chatham Veterans Day Ceremony.
On Nov 29, 2022 Rose Connolly participated in the Illinois Capitol's Nativity Scene dedication for the 12th year (skipping the year for the COVID lockdown). Chaplain Steve Holden of the Emergency Chaplain Corps dedicated the Statehouse Wreath gifted by Worcester Wreath Company to each capitol. The statehouse wreath ceremony is desired to. be. placed the Monday before the ceremonies as. the cemeteries nationwide but we've been piggy backing on the Nativity dedication since the veteran display is closely located to the Nativity. Rose Connolly participated in the ceremony as a member of the Catholic War Veterans and placed the wreath along with Bernie Lutchman of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee.
Below pictured is Chaplain Steve, Libby Conroy (Camp Butler National Cemetery location leader for Wreaths Across America) and Rose Connolly with the statehouse wreath that remains until January 2023
Below is our Memorial Mass at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
524 East Lawrence St. -Phone: 217 522-3342 December 11, 2022 10:00 am
Pictured above: Peggy Billhartz, Dale Smith, Rose Connolly, our celebrant Reverend Brian C. Alford, Pat Noel, Deacon Larry Smith, and Leon Scott. Behind us is the stained glass reframed from the old baptistry chapel.
At the Christmas Masses in 2022, our own Peggy Billhartz was recognized for her faithfulness and stewardship during 2022. Congrats Peggy!!!
Sacred Heart of Mary Church January 08, 2023 10:00 am
306 E. Birch St, New Berlin, IL – Phone: 217 488-3545
Pictured above: Pictured: Dale Smith, Charles Jiardina, Peggy Billhartz, Rev. Ron M. Lorilla , Rose Connolly, Leon Scott, and Pat Noel. Not only were the deceased Catholic War Veterans mentioned during the petitions but also our most recently departed member, Ron Hefer, mentioned by name. What a beautiful place to be on the feast of the Epiphany.
Memorial Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church on February 12, 2023 8:30 am
1725 South Walnut – Phone :217 528-7521 Bulletin mentioning our special intention for deceased Catholic War Veterans:
Pictured above: Pictured: Leon Scott, Peggy Billhartz, Fr Jeffery Grant, Rose Connolly, and Pat Noel and Dale Smith at the Grotto of Lourdes.
Obituary for member: Robert "Bob" W. Vose
January 19, 1929 - February 20, 2023
Robert “Bob” W. Vose, 94, of Springfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, February 20, 2023 at The Villas Senior Care Community. Bob was born on January 19, 1929 in Springfield IL, the son of John and Hedwig (Krebs) Vose. He married Virginia Vetter on May 2, 1953 at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Springfield. Bob attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Lanphier High School and later served our country in the United States Army. Bob was a proud and active citizen serving his country and his beloved city, Springfield, IL. He was the first city alderman elected to represent Ward 5 and continued to be an advocate for his ward and its’ residents long after his term of service expired. Bob was a very generous man, donating his time, treasure and talents to a great many local causes throughout his entire life. He loved playing the role of Santa Claus at the city recreation department and was a referee and umpire of high school sports for several years. He sponsored the annual Goodwill client Halloween and Christmas parties for 34 years. He was a member of the Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation, and was very active in fundraising for the cemetery and responsible for Monument Avenue Beautification improvements. He was honored to be a Grand Marshal at the Illinois State Fair in 2017 and was given the Illinois State Fair: Illinoisan of the Day Award in 2011. Bob knew his city well, he worked for the Illinois Ice Company delivering ice for many years before becoming a City Water Light and Power meter reader and later a stationary engineer for the State of IL. He was a member of IBEW Local 193 for over 65 years. Naturally, Bob was well known as “The Korndog King”. He and his brothers initially started selling Vose Corn Dogs at the Illinois State Fair in 1966; Bob and his wife Virginia continued Vose Fine Food for over 50 years. Visiting the Vose Family Corn Dog stand continues to be a statewide annual tradition during the Illinois State Fair. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a proud north ender. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; four brothers; and six sisters. He is survived by his six children, Robert Vose, Jr., Virginia (Mike) Geiger, Ronald (MaryBeth) Vose, Kenneth (Roxann) Vose, Debra Vose and Sandra (Robert) Orr; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; last brother, Harold (Jean) Vose; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation: 4 – 7 pm, Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Springfield. A second visitation will be held from 9:45 – 10:45 am, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at the church. Funeral Mass: 11 am, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Springfield with Rev. Allen Kemme officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery where military honors will be conducted. Memorial Contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
St. Francis Cabrini Church March 12, 2023 9:30 am
1020 N. Milton Ave – Phone: 217: 522-8555
Fr George called us to the front of the congregation at the end of Mass and read a special blessing. Then asked us to hold out our hands as we were sprinkled with holy water. The parish was super friendly afterwards and greeted us with warm fellowship. Some shared memories of their family who served. One lady remembered us from the Flag ceremony last September for the parish fall festival . Pictured: Dale Smith, Pat Noel, Rose Connolly, Leon Scott, Peggy Billhartz, Fr George Nellikunnel and servers, Derek Bender & Will Livengood. Photo by Deacon James Dodge.
Special Committee programs and reports
On April 17, 2022, Dale Smith and Don Werner presented a certificate to Adalynn Duba in of St John The Evangelist School in Carrollton, IL. Her poster is the First Place winner of the National Catholic War Veterans Valentines Day Poster Contest.
Memorial Mass at St. John Vianney Church April 23, 2023 8:30 am
902 St. John Dr, Sherman, IL- Phone: 217 523-3816
Pictured below: Dale Smith, Peggy Billhartz, Chuck Jiardina, Fr Freddie, Pat Noel, and Leon Scott
Memorial Mass at St Jude Church May 14 2023 (Also Mother's Day)
Pictured below: Leon Scott,Dale Smith, Rose Connolly, Fr Chuck, Peggy Billhartz, and Pat Noel.
Link to the bulletin that mentions the Catholic War Veterans:
What was super cute at this Mass was the hummingbird checking out that stained glass window for about 10 seconds during the gospel.
Rose Connolly has been the chaplain for the Memorial Day ceremony at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Our new director, Jimmy Allen, arranged for the first ever "fly over" during the program. Program listed below.
WICS news on Memorial Day interviewed a woman's perspective at the end of the news. Like male soldiers, we mourn the loss of a comrade in arms but as a woman, my maternal instinct kicks in and the loss is also parental empathy. Online video:
Catholic War Veterans Memorial Mass on June 11, 2023 at Christ the King Parish.
Pictured above are Peggy Billhartz, Chuck Jiardina, adjunct presider for this Mass, Leon Scott, Rose Connolly and Pat Noel. Afterward we had breakfast along with spouses at VFW Post 755 nearby.
Below: Dave Cooper of our CWV post and American Legion Post 32 has been participating in military funeral honors as a member of the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Many of the funeral honors take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
~The End ~
What better way to celebrate both God and country but be a member of Catholic War Veterans. Nice work post 1915
My CWV post 😇