The Cathedral Parish of St. Raymond Nonnatus 1917-1992
Written by Robert R. Morris

Part 11: Another Era Concludes
In late 1967, the parish family of St. Raymond Cathedral join with Monsignor Hoover and Bishop Blanchette o quietly observe the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the parish. They did so with pride. As they reflected upon the early days and the vision and drive of Father Scanlan a half-century before, Msgr. Hoover told his parishioners,

"A parish, like the Church, resides in the people themselves. St. Raymond's has been an outstanding parish because of ourstanding people. A tremendous heritage has been passed on from generation to generation."

The heritage Msgr. Hoover spoke of was the tremendous growth and accomplishment in the parish over those fifty years. What had started with a shovel full of dirt in 1917, was now a Cathedral for an entire faith community. In 1917, Father Scanlan ministered to 287 familiaes with 600 members. In 1967, Msgr. Hoover presided over a parish flock of 1,468 families with 5,335 souls.

That herigate is called pride.

At the same time, the Diocese of Joliet was growing dramatically, too. When the diocese was founded, there were 90,000 Catholics living in the seven counties. By 1966, Bishop Blanchette was pastor of a flock of 280,000 soulds. There were 40 separate building projects underway simultaneously in the diocese.

Late in 1968 and into 1969, Msgr. Hoover grappled with debilitating illness, which eventually cost him his voice. Tragically ironic, the priest who for so long led the Cardinal's Cathedral Choristers in Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, could no longer speak.

Unable to say mass, unable to talk with his flock, Msgr. Hoover retired as first rector and second pastor of St. Raymond in June of 1969, yet continued to live at the Cathedral rectory. Less than a year later he was dead. Msgr. Hoover had been pastor for 28 years, eclipsing the 24 years that Father Scanlan had been pastor. In the 52 years of the parish, the parishioners had known only two pastors.

Bishop Blanchette said the solemn requiem Mass for Msgr. Hoover. He was assisted by his newly ordained auxiliary, Bishop Raymond Vonesh.

But the people of the St. Raymond family found their next pastor to be a well-known and familiar figure to them.

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