Parish ladies’ society celebrates dedication of relic shrine
Maura Baker
Staff Writer
St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring, celebrated the dedication of a new relic shrine, March 19. Joined with pastor Father Andrew Young and Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys, the shrine was donated by the St. Mary’s Ladies’ Society — established more than 150 years ago — the society is a group of mostly parish women who define themselves as a social and working community who strive to meet parish needs. Along with fundraisers to raise money for the parish, members of the society also help to maintain the parish grounds.
The idea of the shrine began with the discovery of five relics, according to the society’s current president, Theresa Connaughton. “On the reredos behind the altar of St. Joseph, there are paintings on the panels of 10 saints,” she said. “What was found in the parish rectory area was five relics of those 10 saints.”
Upon discovering these relics, the thought of Father Young was that “something needs to be done” regarding the find. “He had a plan in mind, but not the funds,” said Ms. Connaughton — which is where the Ladies’ Society came in to support the project.
Instrumental also to the shrine’s construction was Father Jordan Hainsey, a priest of the Diocese of Covington. With Father Hainsey’s help, St. Joseph Parish was able to obtain relics of the five other saints on the St. Joseph reredos, as well as 10 others that are now enshrined.
Additionally, Father Hainsey was responsible for the design of the shrine’s reliquary boxes, according to Ms. Connaughton. “They’re beautiful,” she said. “They match the church perfectly — adhered to either side of our Mary statue and the altar of Mary.”
Ms. Connaughton expressed gratitude, both to Father Hainsey and to Bishop Foys, who came to celebrate a Mass for the dedication of the shrine once the work was completed.
“It was just a really wonder Mass and a wonderful gift,” Ms. Connaughton said. “We’re very excited that our group was able to provide something like that to the parish.”
