Ralph Strangis Memorial Pipe Organ

From Father Griffith: I am very excited to announce plans for a new pipe organ at Lourdes in memory of our late friend and long-time parish trustee, Ralph Strangis. I am most grateful to Grace Strangis, Ralph’s beloved spouse and faithful parishioner, who is fully funding the project in Ralph’s memory. It is fitting that Hofstede Hall will soon be accompanied by the Ralph Strangis Memorial Pipe Organ – honoring these two great men, who were also terrific trustees.

Please see the attached story about the pipe organ, which was originally designed for Our Lady of Lourdes during the pastorate of Fr. William Ward. Fr. Ward died unexpectedly after Tim Patterson began the initial design and beginning steps toward building the instrument. Notwithstanding its high quality and aesthetic beauty, the organ never found a home and the fact that this opportunity has come back around to Our Lady of Lourdes after many years is nothing short of providence.

To our parish trustees and finance council, Dr. Jacob Benda said, “this new organ is a perfect match for Our Lady of Lourdes. Aesthetically, it complements the noble simplicity and beauty of our church. Acoustically, the French sound-design resonates with our French-Canadian heritage. Spiritually, it will support our worship of God.” I thank Dr. Benda for his diligence and expertise in examining several organ options over the last number of months and his practical wisdom in evaluating and recommending the Patterson pipe organ for Lourdes.

Upon final approval of the transaction by the archdiocese, we will begin dismantling the current organ with the realistic hope of a late spring/early summer installation of the new organ, with final voicing to be done over the summer months. We are excited about the prospect of a late summer dedication and recital to celebrate the new Ralph Strangis Memorial Pipe Organ. Once again, many thanks to Grace Strangis for her extraordinary generosity in helping us soon realize a long hoped for dream at Lourdes.