St. Peter’s Parish, now the mother church for Heilige Marianne Cope Heppenheim, bore banners celebrating the occasion during the Jan. 12 events. Below, a candle created to mark the merger included a distinctly Hawaiian touch. (Photos courtesy Sabine Schmidtmeyer)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Winter coats and scarves replaced aloha shirts and lei, but the mood was just as joyous as St. Marianne was celebrated half a world away from Hawaii in her German hometown of Heppenheim.
The occasion Jan. 12 was the formal inauguration of Heilige (“Saint”) Marianne Cope Heppenheim, a new parish resulting from the merger of four smaller parishes in the city.
Guided by the parish’s motto, “In the Light of the Fire: Starting a New Era Together,” the day featured Mass and a reception. During Mass, the founding decree formally establishing Heilige Marianne Cope Heppenheim was read by Father Sebastian Lang, vicar general of the Diocese of Mainz (which includes Heppenheim). The decree, issued and signed by Mainz Bishop Peter Kohlgraf, announced the new parish as well as the parameters for how it will operate on an organizational level.
Sabine Schmidtmeyer, a journalist in Heppenheim who attended the festivities, wrote a report that appeared in the parish’s magazine, “Together on the Road.” She described the decree as one that “defines our identity and forms the basis for our pastoral work, administration and integration within the diocese” — covering topics like pastoral responsibilities, geographic boundaries and the parish church.
After Mass, which concluded with a blessing by Father Lang and the lighting of special St. Marianne candles, members of the congregation walked to a nearby ballroom for a reception.
Among the speakers was Father Thomas Meurer, pastor of Heilige Marianne Cope Heppenheim; pastor Katharina Ruhwedel of the Evangelical Church in Heppenheim/Bergstrasse (also a newly merged congregation); city officials; and Franciscan Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, who traveled from Hawaii to represent the isles and St. Marianne’s religious order — now called the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
Sister Ah Chick spoke on behalf of the Sisters of St. Francis and of the Diocese of Honolulu, describing St. Marianne’s life of service in Hawaii and presenting a special banner created to mark the establishment of the new parish.
The celebration included a special touch solidifying the ties between Heppenheim and Hawaii: The collection during Mass was earmarked for a new reliquary chapel that will be built in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace during its extensive renovation slated to begin this year.
The reliquary chapel will hold the mortal remains of St. Marianne and a first-class relic of St. Damien.
Franciscan Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, left, presented a special banner during a reception following Mass at St. Peter’s.
