Saint Colman of Cloyne

History of St. Colman of Cloyne

The Catholic community in Washington Court House was founded in the 1850s by Irish railroad workers, with the first Mass celebrated in a local shanty in 1852. In 1871, Father John B. O'Donoghue purchased 3 5/8 acres adjoining Washington Cemetery to build the first St. Colman Church and an adjacent cemetery. The original church was destroyed by a tornado in 1885 along with much of the town. The present church at the corner of East and South North Streets has stood as 'the temple sacred to the Lord' for 120+ years and was magnificently restored to period splendor in 2010 — featuring a new slate roof, restored bell-tower louvers, repointed exterior, new copper gutters, restored concrete porch, and an Anglo-Irish Gothic interior designed by William Heyer with murals by Matt Indrutz and sculpture by Anthony Visco. The parish celebrated its 125th anniversary at Midnight Mass on Christmas 2010, with the Bishop of Cloyne, Ireland, present alongside Bishop Campbell and Archbishop Schnurr of Cincinnati.

• 1852 — First Mass celebrated in a local shanty by Irish railroad-worker settlers.
• 1871 — Fr. John B. O'Donoghue purchases 3 5/8 acres adjoining Washington Cemetery.
• 1885 — Original church destroyed by tornado; present church erected.
• June 19, 1916 — Stone monument erected to mark the site of the original church.
• 2007 — 'Celebrating Our Past... Preparing for Our Future' parish campaign; state historical marker placed.
• Christmas 2010 — 125th anniversary Midnight Mass with Cincinnati Conservatory and St. Colman Children's Choir.

St. Colman Cemetery and Historical Marker

The parish cemetery, located on the site of the original (1885) church on the outskirts of Washington Court House, contains the graves of more than 35 veterans from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I — at least sixteen of whom were Irish immigrants. The cemetery's most decorated veteran, James Aloysius Ducey, served in both World Wars and earned the Silver Star and the French Croix de Guerre. A stone monument marking the site of the original church was erected on June 19, 1916, and a state historical marker was placed in 2007 by the Washington Senior High School Research History Program, the Fayette County Travel and Tourism Bureau, and the Ohio Historical Society.

Becoming Catholic — OCIA (formerly RCIA)

The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA — also known as RCIA) for adults seeking membership in the Catholic Church, baptized Catholic adults seeking First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and inquirers curious about the faith. Sessions are held on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM in the parish center. The parish website also features a 'Learn More About the Catholic Faith' page addressing typical first-time-visitor questions (following the Mass, the Breaking Bread missalette, reception of Communion, the Real Presence).

• Meets Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM in the parish center.
• Contact: Kyle Callahan, 740-335-5005, [email protected].
• Welcomes adult non-Catholics, baptized Catholics needing sacraments, and inquirers.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation (the parish School of Religion) is coordinated by Tina Garland, who also serves as Parish Business Manager. The program prepares children of the parish for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, working in tandem with the OCIA process for adult converts and Catholics completing their sacramental journey.

• Coordinator of Faith Formation: Tina Garland
• Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
• Adult sacramental completion available through OCIA

Homebound Ministry

The Homebound Ministry ensures that parishioners who are in nursing homes, hospitals, or confined to their homes continue to receive the Eucharist and stay connected to the St. Colman parish family. The pastor visits the homebound each week; anyone wishing to be added to the visit schedule — or knowing of someone who should be — is asked to contact the Parish Office.

Parish Organizations

Two principal lay organizations serve the parish. The Knights of Columbus council meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference — the parish's outreach to the poor — meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 AM.

• Knights of Columbus — first Thursday, 6:30 PM
• St. Vincent de Paul — first Tuesday, 9:30 AM

Liturgical Music & Ushers/Greeters

Liturgical music is directed by Craig Jaynes (Director of Liturgical Music), and the parish's St. Colman Children's Choir has been featured in major anniversary celebrations, including the 2010 Midnight Mass with the Cincinnati Conservatory. The Usher & Greeter Team welcomes parishioners and visitors at every Mass, opens doors, assists with seating, and takes up the collection; new volunteers are always welcome.

• Director of Liturgical Music: Craig Jaynes
• St. Colman Children's Choir
• Usher & Greeter Team — open to new volunteers

Our Staff

The pastoral and administrative team of St. Colman of Cloyne includes:

• Pastor: Rev. Cyrus M. Haddad (Fr. C. M. Haddad)
• Parish Business Manager / Coordinator of Faith Formation: Tina Garland
• Director of Liturgical Music: Craig Jaynes
• Maintenance: Paul Ondrus
• Custodian: Stephanie Robinson

Newcomers and Visiting

Whether visiting briefly, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of the faith, or simply curious about Catholicism, newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish maintains a 'Newcomers' page inviting visitors to connect via Facebook or by phone/email and to register with the parish. A handicap ramp is available at the front entrance.

About the Patron — Saint Colmán of Cloyne

Saint Colmán of Cloyne (Colmán mac Léníne, c. 522/530 – c. 600/604) was a sixth-century Irish monk, founder and patron of Cloyne in County Cork, and one of the earliest known Irish poets to write in the vernacular. Baptized by St. Brendan, he became the first Bishop of Cloyne and is venerated in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. His feast day is November 24; his principal shrines are Cloyne Cathedral and Cobh Cathedral in Ireland. The Diocese of Cloyne in Ireland continues to mark his feast annually at St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh.

• Born c. 522/530 in Munster; died c. 600/604
• First Bishop and patron of Cloyne (County Cork, Ireland)
• Feast day: November 24
• Major shrines: Cloyne Cathedral, Cobh Cathedral