Across The Years

Most people who come to be with us at Saint Maurice notice how busy the parish is. They comment on how many things we do. Some of them notice the joy that is the infallible sign of the presence of God. Some join us in our work and our worship.

It was like that from the beginning. The number of worshippers went from zero to 1000 in four months in 1970. The new Family of the Stable was noticed by the press of the time in part because of the nature of our family’s home, a stable. Members of the family agreed with Father David Russell (Founding Pastor from 1970 to 1974 – pictured at left) and chose to keep the stable and the simplicity that it represents as a hallmark of our life together. It was not just the building that was being formed.

In 1973, Father Russell said, “From the beginning the Family of the Stable has been one in purpose, one in vision, and singuarly directed by the Holy Spirit. We have struggled intensely to realize the responsibilities of a people of God, for we have shared our faith life both liturgically and secularly, and in this sharing we have become a Christian family, called to greatness, to personal sanctity, to the unique service of Love.”(Introduction to the 1973 Family Album)

The family made that Spirit directed vision clearer. Working  with Father Sean Mulchay (Pastor for 22 years beginning in 1976 – pictured in the center) the family developed its Mission Statement. Fr. Sean and a group of family members formed the Hunger Program that now has more than 25 projects. Through the projects St. Maurice supports the efforts of people here at home and around the world as they work to provide food to the hungry and water to the thirsty. During Fr. Sean’s tenure many parishioners took part in the Christ Renews His Parish program. At the same time, Fr. Mulchay oversaw a most successful building program.

The family joined Father Roger Holoubek (Pastor since 2000 – pictured at the right) in his decision to add social justice as a focus for the parish. Their efforts involved learning about JustFaith, JustMatters and BoldJustice. In BoldJustice participants identify areas of concern to those less powerful and more needy among us here in Broward County such as low cost housing and dental care for the poor. In conjunction with other churches and synagogues participants work out a plan to present in a public meeting with the powerful who can make a difference. This meeting is called a Nehemiah Action. It focuses the attention of the powerful on the issues that are important to the needy. During Fr. Holoubek’s pastorate,  the parish opened its Early Childhood Education Center. 

Back in 1973 Fr. Russell said, “It is no easy task to build for others, yet that is precisely what a worshipping  community does. Each individual, confined to his own time and space, sacrifices something of himself for the common good… This parish is not merely a group of buldings set on a piece of property. This parish is people, a vibrant growing, moving mass of good, holy people, filled with Faith, Hope, and Love.”  It is, as Father Roger says in his Welcoming  Video on this web site, full of people “who really believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ…vibrant…loving…hospitable…full of mercy.”

We in our turn build for others. Father Roger points out that we have not succumbed to ” a danger that threatens all churches — irrelevance. Today as we look at all the good things we have done over the last four decades, one thing is clear — We are not  irrelevant. We have made a difference in our world. Thanks be to God. (From the Pastor’s Desk, Parish Bulletin, June 13, 2010)

Dirt Floor Parishioners:

The people who began the parish are called dirt floor parishioners because the stable that is our church had hard packed dirt floors for the first few months. There is an apocryphal story that one bride rented a carpet so she wouldn’t get her gown dirty as she walked down the aisle. According to the story the happy couple is among us to this day.

That there are dirt floor parishioners still among us in not apocryphal. There are a number of dirt floor parishioners who have chosen to share their memories of those days and later events with us…

Dirt Floor Person’s Remembrance – Helen Ankenbrandt

May 29, 2010

It was late May or early June of 1970. I had  found a job in the area, but needed to find a place to live.

My mom was driving me from Lake Worth, as I had just had serious surgery. We did not know the area and it was very hot. My mom was not in the best of health. We looked and drove around for two or three hours when my mom noticed the sign on Stirling  announcing a new  Catholic Church.

When we went to the rectory to see if someone would know of a good place to rent (cheaply). Father Russell answered the door. He took one look at the beings standing there and immediately invited us in. He quickly served us a cold drink and we chatted.

He finally decided to have a parishioner (Cathy Fisher) drive us around to try to find something. It was such a blessing that day to be treated so graciously and kindly by both Father and Kathy. This was my first experience of Saint Maurice and I have been a parishioner ever since.

Memories - Lois Marano

I moved to 3300 N Rd 7 a mobile home park in June 1972. I was told that the church was St. Bernadette.

When we got there we were told that it was too late for that mass. If we went back over 441 on the left hand side of the street was a church named St. Maurice. So we went.

There were times when Fr. Russell would say, “Yes, Lady. This is a Roman Catholic Church.” He would stop in the middle of Mass, go on the mike and say, “SING EVERYONE, SING!”

The week before Pentecost Fr. Russell said, “Next week come all in red: red shoes , red socks, everything!” My daughter Lorraine, age 7 at the time, said, “I dont have red shoes!

The Sunday Fr. Sean came to St. Maurice, he let us know that he was sad to have left his church family in Palm Beach.

My mom  lived with my family (husband and three children) . She had a heart attack in 1976. Fr. Sean was at the house to visit and at the wake and funeral. My first grandchild was stillborn. Fr. Sean was at the hospital to bless the baby girl and then to pray with the entire family around my daughter-in-law’s bed all holding hands.

My  daughter Lorraine had breast cancer.  Father Sean called me and said get the family together and we will have a mass for her at St. Charles.

When my husband died and we had an evening service in September  2003, Fr. Roger and Fr. Sean were both there.

I sat in the rear of the church because I became very emotional.

Dirt Floor Parishioner – Memories- Ann Moredock

My name is Ann Moredock. I moved to my home in Florida in June 1960. I am a founding parishioner of St. Bernadette Church before coming here to St. Maurice.

I also knew the farmer that owned this property prior to the chruch. There was no trailer park here and cows were walking around. Also we bought buttermilk here from the farmer.

I am a dirt floor parishioner. I came here when Father Russel was the founding pastor of St. Maurice. My daughter, Cynthia Moredock was one of the first babies baptized here in December 1970. Father Russell wanted her to be the Baby Jesus and me to be the Blessed Mother for the live Nativity. Cynthia was too small  (5 pounds) so I said no. Cynthia made her First Holy Communion and Confirmation here too.

I knew all the preists here including Father Sean and Father Brice and Father Roger and Father Dennis.