Epiphany
of Our Lord:
A
spiritual rock in Plymouth
By Lou Baldwin
CS&T Staff Writer
What better name for a parish founded in early January than Epiphany of
Our Lord?
That’s what Archbishop John F. O’Hara decided on Jan. 7, 1957,
one day after the feast of the Epiphany, as he was planning a new parish
in the Plymouth Meeting area of Montgomery County.
Father Joseph E. Grady, a parochial vicar at South Philadelphia’s
St. Monica Parish, was named founding pastor, and the parish officially
came into being 10 days later, when the appointment took effect. Father
Grady’s new parish drew largely from the territory of St. Helena
Parish in Center Square — but also from St. Patrick in Norristown,
St. Philip in Lafayette Hill and St. Joseph in Ambler, according to parish
history provided by parishioner Kathleen Gallagher.
Later that same year the parish boundaries were finalized with the addition
of the area of Plymouth Meeting Park.
A worship site for the 408 first families was easily settled on, when
the commissioners of Plymouth Township graciously allowed Father Grady
the use of the township building on Germantown Pike. He got off to a running
start, with four parish masses celebrated Sunday, Jan. 20, 1957.
Starting up a new parish is almost certainly a thrill for the founding
pastor but often as not, it is less so for the parishioners because, at
the end of the day, they are the ones who have to bear the cost.
“I was honestly disturbed,” said Betty Waldron, one of those
first parishioners. “We had two children in school, and were satisfied
at St. Helena. It was tough.
“But Father Joe Grady was great. It was very rural — all fields.
But he knew it would grow,” she said. “He worked with the
people, and everybody got along.
Waldron’s early misgivings quickly dissipated as Epiphany did, indeed,
grow, while still maintaining a close-knit spirit, which remains its hallmark
to this day.
On Oct. 1, 1957, ground was broken for a school and convent, with the
ground floor of the school designed as a temporary auditorium that could
seat 600 for Mass. When the school opened in 1958 under the care of the
Sisters of St. Joseph, there were 500 students, and it was apparent more
classrooms would be needed. Within three years, another combination gymnasium-auditorium
was added along with eight additional classrooms.
Today’s church, where Cardinal Rigali celebrated a jubilee Mass
on Jan. 7, had its official opening on Oct. 14, 1970, when Bishop Gerald
McDevitt visited and administered the sacrament of confirmation.
By now more than 36 years old, and under Father Richard J. McAndrews,
Epiphany’s church has undergone a major sprucing up in time for
the parish anniversary. Not the least of the projects was a much-needed
brightening of the interior, so that the ambiance matches the parish spirit.
“The renovations really lightened it up,” said Harriet D’Alonzo,
a parishioner who loves the parish synergy at Epiphany. “It’s
like the dollar store of the Church — there is any service, any
friendship, here and I feel at home” she said. “Father (McAndrews)
is a great listener, and he tries to get everybody involved.”
One of the more unique features of the parish is the number of permanent
deacons. When a majority of the archdiocesan parishes still have none,
Epiphany has had four men ordained deacons and two more in training. Deacon
Bill Radetzky, a retired stockbroker ordained in 1986, was the first,
with Deacon Ken Clancy ordained the following year.
“I hope to continue as long as I can,” Deacon Radetzky said.
“I guess I’ve been involved with the parish since about 1960,
first in music ministry — I’m an old trombone player. It’s
a joyous parish and a blessed parish.”
Music remains a top parish ministry, and it remains joyful. As a matter
of fact, Gaudeamus (“Let us be joyful”), an ensemble of professional
musicians that raises funds for local charities through concerts, has
its roots in Epiphany, and it is led by the longtime parish music director,
Constance Cannon.
Even more important to parish life is Perpetual Adoration. Begun by former
Msgr. James Baldrick with the assistance of parishioner Rita Horan, it
has continued unbroken for a decade.
Father McAndrews has been Epiphany’s pastor only since 2002, but
he goes way back with the parish. This is where he started when he was
ordained in 1967 — serving with Father Grady.
“Because it was my first parish, I kept in contact, and it was surprising
how many people remembered me when I came back,” he said. Father
McAndrews has been especially struck by the cooperative spirit of the
people of Epiphany, especially in their support for the parish renovations
and the 215-student school.
“We tithe,” the pastor said, pointing to charity that extends
well beyond the parish borders. Epiphany collected $40,000 for relief
efforts after the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. And that was followed, the
next year, by a $30,000 collection for aid in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Epiphany also sends $1,000 every month to Father Joseph Okonski, for his
ministry in the Philadelphia parishes of Our Mother of Sorrows and St.
Ignatius. That is one of five ongoing outreach programs at Epiphany.
“It is a very giving parish,” Father McAndrews said.
Lou Baldwin is a member of St. Leo parish and a freelance writer.