BRIEF HISTORY
OF
ST. JOHN NEUMANN PARISH
In 1962, Bishop John L. Morkovsky, Bishop of Amarillo, directed that a Catholic school be built on a cotton field west of Lubbock. He envisioned the facility as the first step in the creation of a new parish, St Peter's. The building was completed and the school opened in August 1963. But the neighborhood had little need for a parish. There were no homes or residents nearby. So plans were suspended for the parish and the school was attached to St. Elizabeth's Parish, located in downtown Lubbock.
After the school building was completed, Pallotine Fathers Thomas Phelan, William Hanly and Aidan Maguire, SAC, began celebrating Sunday Mass at the School. A community began to form and Lubbock gradually began to grow around the school area.
Under the pastorates of Monsignor Matthew Schaffle (1966 - 1967) with Fathers Tom Andres and Elmer Albracht assisting, and Father Hubert Halfmann (1967 - 1976) (brother of our present pastor) with Fathers Tom Irlbeck and Joe Bixenman assisting, the building stayed busy with school during the week, mass, religious education classes and socializing on Sunday mornings, meetings and social events throughout the year. In 1974, the Incarnate Word Sisters - who had staffed the school for 15 years left. Even in the midst of this great loss the small but strong community continued to grow.
By 1976, the growth of Lubbock and the local Catholic population eventually led Bishop Laurence M. DeFalco, Bishop of Amarillo (1963 - 1979) to reformulate the plans for a new parish at the school site. Father (now Monsignor) Joseph James was named pastor of St. Elizabeth's in January 1977. In April 1977, the Bishop instructed Father James to begin plans for the building of a church.
Parishioners were invited to offer possible patrons for the new parish. St. Francis of Assissi, patron of environmental stewardship, St. John the Baptizer, son of Saint Elizabeth; and St. John Neumann, newest American Saint at the time, surfaced as parishioner preferences. A vote was taken during all liturgies at St. Elizabeth's and the school chapel on December 19, 1977. St. John Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia in the mid 19th century, prioneer promoter of parochial schools and advocate of Eucharistic Adoration was chosen patron of the new community.
On June 15, 1979, the Bishop and founding pastor, joined by local clergy and civic leaders led a crowd of several hundred to the middle of the field for groundbreaking ceremonies near the present-day site of the courtyard fountain.
On November 18, 1979, Monsignor (now Bishop) L. T. Mattiesen, administrator of the Diocese of Amarillo, presided over ceremonies of dedication of the newly completed administration and worship centers. Because the parish had prioritized responsible stewardship, the administration and worship centers were designed in a manner that is strikingly creative. The buildings are earth-covered geostructural for insulation. The administration center is surrounded on all except the courtyard side by earth and covered with three feet of topsoil. The floor of the church is also ten feet below grade with the walls above grade insulated by berme-earthen hills-on three sides.
One of the more significant events for the Parish of St. John Neumann was the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, 1988. As a result of claimed locutions from the Blessed Mother, the parish gained virtually instant and worldwide exposure through newspapers, television and radio reports - both secular and religious. In March 1988, the "rosary messages" - believed to have been received from the Blessed Virgin Mary brought forth increased efforts of prayer, penance and mercy. By July 1988, the Monday night rosary devotions were drawing crowds of up to 2,000 people to St. John Neumann Church.
On Monday, August 15th, approximately 20,000 people gathered around the altar built over the administration center. Many blessings were received that day. There were hundreds of testimonies speaking of deep spiritual healings, physical healings, healing of relationships and conversions of hearts. A multitude of lives were deeply affected on that Holy Day.
Each year during the Feast of Mary's Assumption into Heaven (August 15th), thousands of pilgrims come to St. John Neumann Church to celebrate their faith, to give thanks and praise to God Our Father, to His Son Jesus and to honor Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Mercy. People come from all over the United States, Mexico and Canada come to celebrate with the parishioners of St. John Neumann. Many have shared deep life-changing and heart-conversion experiences. Testimonies from Kansas and Louisiana have indicated some spectacular healings associated with the water from the courtyard fountain. Many rosary groups have sprung up across the country due to the inspiration received through pilgrimages to Lubbock and testimonies of supernatural experiences in connection with the Queen of Mercy continue to be reported.
Many priests from the surrounding area go to Saint John Neumann church to assist the pastor, Monsignor Halfmann, throughout the day. Visiting priests most often serve as confessors for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Activities throughout the day begin early in the morning and continue on without pause until late into the night. These continuous activities include praying of the rosary (led aloud), and individual prayers for healing (led by the St. John Neumann Healing Ministry).
The Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, Bishop Placido Rodriquez CMF, is usually the main celebrant for the highly attended Feast of the Assumption evening mass.
Pilgrims and parishioners alike enjoy gathering in the courtyard of the church to renew old friendships and to share their faith experiences.
Father Glenn Rosendale was pastor from 1990 - 1991. Monsignor Curtis Halfmann assumed pastoral responsibilities in June 1991 and continues to shepherd the parish as it grows to over 1,100 families.
Excerpts taken from the book "Queen of Mercy - The message...The story". copyright 1991 by Queen of Mercy Center. Used with Permission.
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