"Students Act Out Life of Fr. Baum" from the May 23, 1961 Door County Advocate
By FLORA JACOBS
THE REV. JOHN BAUM of Corpus Christi is celebrating his silver jubilee and to commemorate the occasion students of the parish school put on a dramatization of his life at the high school Sunday night. Afterward Mary Heil, garbed as Sister Casilda, presented a gift to Fr. Baum. Harmann
Students Act Out Life of Fr. Baum
By FLORA JACOBS
The 25th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Father John Baum is being celebrated with a Silver Jubilee. Sunday evening Corpus Christi school children paid tribute to Father Baum at the Sturgeon Bay high school auditorium. The program, which was open to the public, was attended by relatives of the priest, parishioners from parishes where Father Baum had served previous to his appointment to Corpus Christi, and families and members of his parish.
The program opened with a skit presented by the first graders entitled "Phone to Heaven." The children phoned in messages, wishes to all good things for Father Baum to Heaven. The sincerity evidenced in their presentation was truly moving and a real tribute to Father Baum who is loved so dearly by the children.
A poem, "Silver Jubilee." was recited in unison by the students. Douglas Welch presented the Reverend Father with a gift from the pupils.
The background of the stage bore a large book with "Congratulations on Your Silver Jubilee," in large letters, gracing the cover. When the book was opened, the inscription "Book of Life of Father Baum" was shown with a photo of Father Baum centered on the page. The cast of the play follows:
'Main characters: Angels, James Andre, David Colombo, Gary Nault, Robert Rockendorf.
Father Baum at different ages (from birth to the present time), William Ross. Jeff Schinkten, Clark Kent, John Ross, Charles Lodl.
Father's parents, JoAnne Coisman and Michael Wiltz.
The Mailman, James Lienau.
Father Cornell, Tim Bushman.
Bishop Rhode, David Pankratz.
Miss Peters, Jacky Stoneman.
Sister Amelia, Eileen Schmidt.
Sister Costa, Linda DeWitt.
Sister Tersine, Mary Cihlar.
Sister Casilda, Mary Heil.
Many other members of the cast appeared at different stages in the life story of Father Baum, in walk-in parts.
The story depicted opens with the birth of a son to Mr. and Mrs. John A. Baum of the town of Center in Outagamie county, who was baptized at St. Edward's church with his grandparents as sponsors. The ceremony took place at Mackville.
At the age of six John Baum started school at St. Joseph's school in Appleton in September of 1914. At the age of 10, John learned the "Suscipiat" and duly became an Acolyte. Bishop Rhode confirmed John Baum.
After his graduation from grade school John got ready for his entry into Mount Mary seminary at Fond du Lac. His first letter sent home and his vacations spent at home where he helped with chores, enjoyed being with his family and earned a bit of spending money working in a pea cannery, were noted in the story. The play notes the entry of John Baum into the seminary and his ordination into the priesthood at St. Francis Cathedral in Green Bay June 3, 1936.
Father Baum celebrated his first mass at St. Therese church in Appleton with little Jeanne Huert as the little bride.
Father's first appointment was to St. Mary's church in Chilton. July 17, 1936 he solemnized his first baptism and Oct. 19 performed his first marriage.
Jan. 29, 1937, Father Baum was transferred to Antigo where he was the assistant at St. .John Catholic church. Father met Father Hubert, known locally, at Antigo. Father Hubert was officiating at St. Wenzel's. At Antigo his first two converts were recorded and it was noted that he baptized 750 at Antigo. Incidentally, it was noted that Father Baum took up bowling while at Antigo.
From Antigo Father Baum was sent to Aurora, where he also serviced the church at Pembine. From there he went to Osman, St. Isadore's church. St. Fidelis at Spring Valley was his next change. In 1957 he was instructed to report to Corpus Christi at Sturgeon Bay. William Moore, Henry Schmelzle, Leonard Stoneman and Homer Willems visited Father Baum at Spring Valley prior to his coming to Sturgeon Bay as ambassadors of good will. The fact that it is the desire of Father Baum to see a new church erected is no secret one of the actors noted.
Following the play Father Baum was presented with a gift by Mary Heil (Sister Casilda). The floral bouquet carried on a satin pillow by the bride, in the celebration of his first mass in the play, was presented to Father Baum by Louanne Ferron.
The credit for establishing the facts in the life of Father Baum should be credited to Miss. Genevieve Peters, Sister M. Loretta and Father Cornell. The dialogue was written and arranged by Sister M. Loretta and staging and preparations were carried out by the aforementioned group assisted by Sister M. Merceda, Sister M. Helaire, Sister M. Casilda, Frank Hobart, Jack Stoneman, Jim Schmidt, and Photographer Harmann.
In closing Father Baum mounted the platform to acknowledge the tribute paid him, introduced his parents and the members of his family. Father Baum acknowledged the help given him by Father Cornell, and thanked everyone concerned for the wonderful tribute accorded him.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
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