Bishop Thompson Celebrates Mass At All Saints Church, Cannelburg

In his Feb. 24 homily at All Saints Church, Cannelburg, Bishop Charles C. Thompson highlighted St. Peter’s words to Jesus as recorded in Luke’s Gospel account of the transfiguration: “Master, how good it is for us to be here.”

“Those are important words for us to remember because they remind us that in sickness or health, good times or bad, whether experiencing challenges or opportunities, it’s good for us to be here in the presence of the Lord,” said Bishop Thompson

The bishop also made sure the parishioners of the rural Daviess County parish knew how good it was for him to have the opportunity to visit and act as celebrant for the 7:30 a.m. Mass.

“It’s a delight to be with you and an honor to celebrate Mass with you this morning,” Bishop Thompson said. He also acknowledged his co-celebrant, All Saints Church, Cannelburg, and St. Peter, Montgomery, pastor Father Jim Koressel, who the bishop referred to as a “great witness and a shining star in our diocese.”

During his homily, Bishop Thompson spoke about the awe-inspiring transformation that occurred during Christ’s transfiguration and how it can be related to transformative changes taking place today within our Church, including Pope Benedict’s resignation, the call to New Evangelization during the Year of Faith, and strategic planning in our diocese.

“Change is always difficult and it can stir up all kinds of emotions and anxieties in us,” Bishop Thompson said. “But change is also inevitable because, by its nature, our Church is missionary, meaning it’s always changing, always on a journey, always transforming both itself and us.”

Just before the Mass ended, Father Koressel took the opportunity to thank Bishop Thompson for visiting.

“On behalf of our parish, All Saints, I thank you for getting up before all wildlife this morning to be with us for our Sunday worship,” joked Father Koressel, making reference to the one-hour time difference and the fact that Bishop Thompson was on the road well before sun-up in order to celebrate the Mass.

The service was followed by a breakfast reception in the parish hall where parishioners of All Saints Church, as well as guests from neighboring church communities, gathered for donuts and an opportunity to meet the bishop face to face.

All Saints Parishioner Cathleen Cavanaugh, whose deceased husband Tom, grew up in a house next door to the church grounds, shared why she enjoys being part of the parish. “It’s always a comfortable place,” she said. “It’s well-kept and parishioners are faithful to it.”

Long-time parishioner Joe Ballard said, “I just love the people here. They’re like family, and that’s what we all need these days is family.”

The history of the All Saints, Cannelburg, parish closely parallels the history of the cannel coalmines and the construction of a major railroad through Cannelburg. Around 1890, a priest named Father Piers decided to build a missionary church in Cannelburg, which was initially known as the Chapel of Ease. The church was dedicated in 1893.

In 1906, construction began on the present rectory, and in 1907 the initial church building was extended 30 feet and stained glass windows were installed. In 1912 (the same year the coalmines closed), the building was moved to the north part of the property and the church took on the name All Saints.

In October 1953, a fire destroyed the front portion of the church and damaged the interior. As a result, the church was renovated and redecorated with stone added to the exterior.

In 1954, the church building was rededicated, and in 1968 the current parish hall was constructed with limestone that matches the church.