PARISH HISTORY
In days when
Catholics in the Flatonia area attended Church at Praha, Rev. Louis P. Netardus
was pastor and Most Rev. J. W. Shaw was archbishop of the Diocese of San
Antonio. Under the leadership of Rev.
Netardus and interested parishioners a block of land in the town site of
Flatonia was bought on December 9, 1911.
In the following year, 1912, a Church for Flatonia was built, taking its
name in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Fr. Netardus continued to serve this Church as a mission of Praha
On January 1, 1929, Rev. F. J. Ledwig became the first
resident pastor and a block of land was bought diagonally across the street
with a house on it to serve as the first rectory. Rev. Ledwig served from March 23, 1921 to September 27, 1923 when
he was succeeded by Rev. E. Kostorz who served until August 30, 1929.
In August of 1929, Rev.
Marcus A. Dombrowski became the resident pastor and remained until he retired
on July15, 1932. He died in San Antonio
on February 19, 1937 and is buried in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1937, Archbishop Drossaerts of
San Antonio blessed the new rectory which stands in its present location today.
Rev. Henry F. Psencik served the parish for a short time,
from July 15, 1932 until August 1, 1932.
He was followed by Rev. Joseph A. Pustka who was pastor from August 1,
1932 to June 22, 1943. It was during
this time the Church was moved to its present location across the street. Land for the present parish cemetery north
of town was purchased in September 1933.
In November 1933 the actual moving of the Church building took
place. The building was painted inside and
out, and the property landscaped. In
1940 the present parish hall was built.
Rev. Edmund J. Bily was the next pastor and served the
parish from June 22, 1943 to April 1, 1946 when the Rev. Victor a Raska
succeeded him. Rev. Raska was pastor
from April 1, 1946 to May of 1957 when illness forced him to surrender his
pastoral duties to Rev. Benton Thurmond.
Rev. Raska returned to his duties in November of 1957 with Rev. Thurmond
as his assistant. During Rev. Raska’s
tenure, the Church was completely renovated, with a; major addition for the new
sacristy and sanctuary. Also, a successful
CCD Program was instituted.
In July of 1958 Rev. Oswald B. Kalich became pastor of the
parish and served until September 14, 1961.
Rev. Kalich was replaced by
Rev. Allen M. Black in September of 1961.
Rev. Black is credited with many improvements to the Church grounds and
in the Church itself – a new organ, recarpeting of the altars, remodeling of
the rectory and completion of the St. John Hall. The first Mass in English was celebrated in the Sacred Heart
Parish on the First Sunday of Advent, 1946 with Rev. Black as pastor.
Rev. Black was forced to relinquish his pastoral duties due
to illness in 1968 and was assisted by Rev. Tom McCarthy who cared for him
until his death.
After the death of Rev. Black, Rev. Norbert Galle was
appointed pastor. Rev. Galle died
suddenly on December 12, 1969. He was
succeeded on January 5, 1970 by Rev. Anthony Matula.
The parish under Rev. Matula grew financially as well as
spiritually. The major accomplishment
during his tenure was the construction of the present Church. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Church
were held on September 4, 1977. The
blessing of the cornerstone of the new Church was on June 4, 1978, and the dedication
of the new Church was held on October 8, 1978.
Rev. Jaroslav Brhel was an associate to Rev. Matula from
1986 to 1987. In 1987 Rev. Matula was
assigned to Praha and Rev. Edward Kelly was appointed pastor and stayed until
1989. Rev. Daniel O’Brien replaced him
and was pastor until 1990.
The arrival of Rev. Gabriel Maison in 1990 brought
construction of picnic pavilions in 1992 and a CCD Education Center in
1994. Fr. Maison also directed the live
Easter Pageant which involved several hundred parishioners and was viewed by
thousands of people from Flatonia and the surrounding towns.
The current pastor, Rev. Charles B. Carolan arrived on
September 16, 1996. He has continued to
make positive changes in the Church community.
A new 120 crypt mausoleum and connecting chapel have been completed
along with major repairs to the Church building in 2003.
Sacred Heart Parish has given one son to the priesthood, Rev.
Theophil J. Okruhlik, O.M.I.; he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph
Okruhlik. Also from Sacred Heart Parish
has come one vocation to the sisterhood.
She is Sister Donata, a member of the Congregation of Divine Providence,
and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Harbich.