Community members gathered outside Princeton City Hall to dedicate a monument in remembrance of the four Caldwell County residents who lost theirs lives in the Dec. 10, 2021 tornado. COURTESY OF STACEY MENSER
Two years after the tornadoes, parishes and community unite in remembrance
BY STACEY MENSER, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro joined St. Paul Parish in Princeton and Caldwell County Long Term Recovery Group to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the devasting Dec. 10, 2021, tornado that ripped through that community and neighboring communities like Dawson Springs.
A special morning Mass and luncheon was held at St. Paul’s, followed by a community-wide memorial service at Princeton City Hall to honor the victims who lost their lives in the Dec. 10 tornado.
The parishioners of St. Paul in Princeton and St. Mark in Eddyville invited Resurrection Parish in Dawson Springs to join them for morning Mass at St. Paul. Resurrection parishioners had lost their church building in the Dec. 10 tornado. Construction on the new church will not be complete until next year.
Members of Resurrection Parish in Dawson Springs, who lost their church in a deadly F4 tornado on Dec. 10, 2021, gather for a special Mass at St. Paul Parish in Princeton on Dec. 10, 2023. COURTESY OF REGINA HOSEY
St. Paul’s pastor, Fr. Jojy Joseph Olickal, welcomed members of Resurrection Parish during morning Mass and welcomed staff from Catholic Charities who worshiped with them.
“It has been my deepest desire for the past two years to have our three parishes celebrate Mass under the same roof,” said Fr. Olickal, who is also the chaplain of Blessed Trinity Knights of Columbus Council #15181. That council is comprised of men from the three parishes.
Following Mass, St. Paul’s parishioners hosted over 130 people for a luncheon in the church center.
Jill Giordano, a lifelong member of St. Paul and co-chair of the Caldwell County Recovery Team along with Dr. Katie Parker, spearheaded the event for the parishes. Catholic Charities was on hand to offer information to victims. There was a catered meal paid for by Catholic Charities, and private donations. Parishioners contributed desserts.
People pack the parish hall at St. Paul’s in Princeton for a holiday meal on Dec. 10, 2023, held after a special Mass remembering the anniversary of the deadly tornadoes that struck the region two years ago. COURTESY OF REGINA HOSEY
Several families from both Princeton and Dawson Springs who lost their homes in the tornado attended the luncheon and received resource information for recovery and preparedness from Catholic Charities staff and representatives from Caldwell County Long Term Recovery Group.
At 2 p.m., community members gathered outside Princeton City Hall for a brief ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the tornado and to dedicate a monument purchased by the long term recovery group in memory of the four Caldwell County victims who lost their lives in the tornado.
Families of the victims were surrounded by fellow tornado survivors and county officials as the names were read and prayers of peace offered.
Regina Hosey contributed to this story.
Jill Giordano, a lifelong member of St. Paul and co-chair of the Caldwell County Recovery Team along with Dr. Katie Parker, spearheaded the Dec. 10 remembrance event for the parishes. Giordano said between 135 and 140 people attended the event. Here, she welcomes the members of Resurrection Parish whose church was destroyed in the storms. COURTESY OF REGINA HOSEY
Ashley Marsili and Deacon Mike Marsili of Resurrection Parish in Dawson Springs spoke with Therese Falder of St. Paul’s and Katina Hayden of Catholic Charities during a Dec. 10 luncheon hosted at St. Paul’s. Resurrection parishioners, who lost their church building in the Dec. 10, 2021 tornado, were invited to commemorate the two year anniversary of the tornado with a special Mass and luncheon at St. Paul’s in Princeton. Community members who lost their homes in the tornado were also invited to attend and visit with Catholic Charities staff. COURTESY OF STACEY MENSER
(From left) Jill Giordano, Deacon Paul Bachi and Fr. Jojy Joseph of St. Paul’s in Princeton joined with Catholic Charities staff Tina Hawley, Katina Hayden and Stacey Menser in hosting a Dec. 10 luncheon at the church for tornado survivors and members of Resurrection Parish. COURTESY OF STACEY MENSER
Originally printed in the January 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
