Saint Ambrose Parish celebrates 60th anniversary, J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School marks 50 years

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop Wester is joined at the altar by Fathers Paul Capitolo of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Gally Lourdaraj, William Wheaton, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, and Deacon John Bash. Father Capitolo has been spending about a month each summer at St. Ambrose Parish for the past 36 years. The choir and the orchestra were conducted by Chris Huntzinger. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mass began with the music of trumpets and the voices of children. The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord was also the occasion of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Saint Ambrose Parish and the 50th anniversary of the dedication of J.E Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School.

The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, celebrated the anniversary Mass. Concelebrating the Mass were Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, Judicial Vicar Father Langes Silva, Father William Wheaton, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Father Gally Lourdaraj of St. Ambrose Parish, and Father Paul Capitolo of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Assisting at the altar were Diocesan Chancellor Deacon Silvio Mayo and Deacon John Bash of St. Ambrose Parish.

"The solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is a paradox," Bishop Wester said in his homily. "Unless Jesus goes to the Father in order to become one of us in an even deeper way," the work of salvation will not be finished.

"We are living stones in whom the Holy Spirit dwells," said the bishop. "For 60 years, this parish, made up of our brothers and sisters has brought us closer to Jesus, through whom all things came to be – the Alpha and the Omega."

This 65/50 celebration of the anniversaries of the church and the school "is a celebration of the reality that we are church; living stones commissioned by Christ," the bishop said. "We come here to give, to pray, to learn, and reflect – to recognize that we are one. Now it is time for us to go forth and live what we celebrate."

Bishop Wester said the church is a place of transformation, where bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, and where we are transformed.

"You have given witness to who we are as church," he said.

"This is a day of joy," the bishop said. "But we are not naive. There have been many days of suffering. There have been days when fellow parishioners have reached out in support and concern in the darkest days. All in all, we are here to celebrate the joys and sorrows of the parish and the school, the successes and the failures...

"We are people of hope... Today we realize that we stop to pray to the living God who ascended."

St. Ambrose Parish was established by the late Bishop Duane G. Hunt Jan 4, 1948, according to Bernice Maher Mooney’s "Salt of the Earth." It was meant to accommodate the growing population of Southeast Salt Lake City. Father (later Msgr.) Joseph Goselin was the first pastor. In 1949, the combination church and parish hall were constructed.

In 1956, Msgr. Goselin died and his successor, Father Valmore C. Marceau began construction of J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School with accompanying convent and gymnasium. The school was named to honor the memory of J.E. Cosgriff (1870-1938), and was donated in its entirety by his family. The school was dedicated July 28, 1957, and was staffed by the Daughters of Charity. Sister Adelaid Kulhanek was the first principal. Betsy Hunt is the current principal.

In 1963, Msgr. William E. Vaughan was appointed the parish’s third pastor. He began plans for a new church. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated Oct. 25, 1964.