VOL. 69, NO. 10
WWW.CROOKSTON.ORG
MAY 20, 2015
Sharing talents in retirement Msgr. Gerald Noesen “retires” after 28 years of entertaining Irishman’s Shanty guests By Katrina Genereux Staff Writer, OND CROOKSTON, MINN. — “It’s come to an end just this year,” said Msgr. Gerald Noesen. The retired priest of the Diocese of Crookston has now retired from playing keyboard at the Irishman’s Shanty Restaurant in Crookston after 28 years. Msgr. Noesen, a staple for Friday evening dinner guests at the Irishman’s Shanty, added to the ambiance of the dining room with his jazz, big band, and Dixieland tunes. According to Paul Gregg, owner of the Irishman’s Shanty, people would often call the restaurant ahead of time to see if Msgr. Noesen would be there. “There were certain tables they would want to sit at, or they would come out on a Friday night instead of Saturday, just because Father Jerry was going to be here,” said Gregg. “It added to the atmosphere, him being here,” he said. “People enjoyed his presence and the company. Between songs, he would sit and talk and socialize with people. … He has a way about him that allows people to relax … maybe it’s part of being a priest. He enjoys people so much, enjoys the conversation.”
Msgr. Noesen’s talent for playing the keyboard came to light in his childhood home in Crookston, where he was the youngest of eight children. “I started keyboard a long time ago,” said Msgr. Noesen. He recalls the living room at his dad’s home as a stopping place for nickelodeons his older brother repaired. “In the corner was a beatup piano and I would run over there and try to follow them,” he said. The machines played jazz and big band music. “I would go on the piano and try to find it, and it took me awhile, but then I started playing,” he said. When keyboards came out, they added new dimensions to what Msgr. Noesen was able to do. “Electronic keyboards came out and that was the beginning of a whole new experience for me,” he said. “I believe that music really expresses the melody and the rhythm of life and if it’s in us, it has to come out.” “It must have been about 30 years in total that I was on keyboards,” said Msgr. Noesen. Those 30 years have brought him, and his music to a variety of places, including Arizona; Minneapolis; Thief River Falls; Mentor and the Eagles, VFW
Msgr. Gerald Noesen was ordained for the Diocese of Crookston in 1955, and retired in 1999. He recently “retired” from his weekly music service, playing jazz, big band and Dixieland music at the Irishman’s Shanty in Crookston. (Photo credit: Janelle C. Gergen/OND)
and the Irishman’s Shanty in Crookston. Msgr. Noesen got his start at the Irishman’s Shanty after suggesting to Carol Gregg, the manager, that there should be some music in the dining room. “I said, ‘we just love this place,’ and I said ‘you need to
Msgr. Noesen stands behind one of his first electronic keyboards in an old photograph taken at the Maple Lake Pavilion. (Submitted photo)
have some music in the corner,’” said Msgr. Noesen. He recommended that she put in some loudspeakers and play records, but she asked him when he was going to come play. “So I came on a Monday, the quietest night of the week, and I played there a few times and I got to like it, and I didn’t know how to quit,” said Msgr. Noesen. “Twenty-eight years later, I decided it’s time.” He still plays at locations in the Summit Apartments and Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home
in Crookston when they call. Msgr. Noesen retired from active ministry in 1999 after 44 years of priesthood in the Diocese of Crookston. “For 10 years after I retired, I substituted in 50 towns and 14 counties,” he said. He doesn’t substitute in parishes anymore, but he does celebrate Mass at Summerfield Place in Crookston, where he lives, each Wednesday; at the Care and Share on the first Tuesday of
and thanked Father Sundaram, saying, “We thank you for following the true vine of Jesus and being connected to him in the ministerial priesthood. We are very honored to celebrate with you, and thank God for you.” Father Super was pastor of St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s
prior to Father Sundaram’s arrival in 2013. A short program was held near the conclusion of the Mass led by James Martin, St. Joseph’s, Bagley. As he stepped up to the microphone, Martin
RETIREMENT: Continued on Page 7
Father Manny celebrates silver jubilee By Katrina Genereux Staff Writer, OND FOSSTON, MINN. — On May 3, at 5 p.m., laity and priests from around the diocese gathered at St. Mary’s, Fosston, for a Holy Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving for Father
INSIDE
VOL. 69, NO. 10:
Manuel “Manny” Sundaram’s Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. Mass ended with a short program and was followed by a dinner served by the parishes of St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s, Bagley. Father Sundaram, Father Raul Perez-Cobo, Father Da-
vid Super, Father Joseph Richards, Father Xavier Ilango and Father Johnmelkies Suvakeen concelebrated; Deacon Dan Hannig assisted. Father Super, pastor of St. Michael’s, Mahnomen and St. Joseph’s, Beaulieu, welcomed everyone who filled the church
Pg. 3 - Summer Mass Times Pg. 6 - Sister Rita Marie Bonneprise, CSJ, Obituary Pg. 9 - Bishop Hoeppner Visits St. Michael’s School
JUBILEE: Continued on Page 6
Pg. 11 - Fifth Annual Rosary Convocation Pg. 12 - Word to Life Faith Sharing Commentary Pg. 13 - June Prayer Calendar and Scriptures