1982-1993
1982 Christopher Vasko, baptized and educated at St. Richard, became a priest and offered his first Mass at St. Richard. Timothy Worline became a Decon.
1985 Rev. Steve Cairns was named 13th pastor and Sister Diane Skubby Pastoral Associate.
1988 Pre-school was opened in old convent building.
1988 Sr. Marguerite Lamberjack became Pastoral Associate.
1992 School Endowment Fund was established. Church renovation raised $106,000 in donations.
1993 The parish Centennial was celebrated by numerous events and concluded with a Mass celebrated by Bishop James R. Hoffman.
1997-1999
1997 Rev. Dan Zak was named 14th pastor and Bev Bingle became Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education. 1998 Youth Quest was formed to educate our high school parishioners about our Catholic Faith. The Appalachian Experience was also started which is a service project for college students and high school students. The students work for one week over their spring break: a separate week for the college students and a separate week for the high school students. The work involves anything from helping with an individual’s home such as, cleaning up after a flood, painting, and roofing—to doing work for a retreat center. The Memorial Tree program was also implemented in 1998 and trees now surround the grounds in memory of many loved ones. $100,000 in capital improvements were done including the computerization of all the buildings.
Throughout February and March of 2000 our campaign name, “Remember the Past-Envision the Future”, and our case statement were developed. During August, the silent phase of the campaign began. Potential “pace-setting” donors were contacted to launch the campaign by making a pace-setting pledge/commitment.
1997-1999
2000
In April 2001 the second phase of the campaign (contacting lead donors) began and the final phase was launched in May (presenting the campaign to the entire parish). The results of the campaign were $1,162,708.35 in pledges made by 227 donors. As of June 9, 2002, $439,876.58 was collected. After the campaign and development expenses were deducted, $66,961.30 was placed in the School Endowment (the balance of the endowment at that time was $232,631.85). Two campaign projects were completed in the fall of 2001. New efficient windows were installed in the rectory/offices and St. Francis Hall.
