Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation

On January 23, 2026, we welcomed Sister Rebecca Abel, OSB, archivist at Benedictine Monastery in Ferdinand, IN to the Ritter Birthplace. Sr. Rebecca, second from left in photo, and her archival colleagues spent the day here and enjoyed a visit to St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, home parish of young Elmer Joseph Ritter.

Several years ago, we were entrusted with a 1935 painting of then-Bishop Ritter by Sr. Gregory Ems, OSB. In time, the sisters gave the painting to their neighboring monastery, St. Meinrad, where the future Cardinal studied. In 2021, St. Meinrad presented it to the New Albany birthplace of the Bishop/Archbishop/Cardinal.

Sr. Rebecca and her staff were eager to see Sr. Gregory’s painting on display in Ritter’s home, to see the restored building and its vintage1892 front parlor and birth-room , and to see the recently acquired collection of Ritter vestments to be unveiled later this year.

Immediate past chairperson John Blocker and archivist Ray Day hosted the event, and joined the guests at Seeds & Greens Deli for lunch.

Leaders were selected for the 2026 Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation Inc. (CRBFI) Board of Directors at the January 15, meeting. The executive committee for the new year includes Mike Carter (Chair), Tom Quinkert (Vice Chair), Rosie Shannon (Secretary), and Corinne Moore (Treasurer). Visit http://www.cardinalritterhouse.org/board-of-directors/ for complete list of the Foundation’s leadership.

Board of Directors – Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation Inc Our Mission: To promote the legacy of Cardinal Ritter through activities that preserve his commitment to social justice, ecumenism, and service to others.

Imagine engaging in a fireside chat with the President of Notre Dame University in New Albany.

The Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc., staged its 14th Annual Speaker Series Event in partnership with the New Albany Cardinal Ritter Council 1221 Knights of Columbus on December 16.

In a “fireside chat” format, Fr. Robert “Bob” Dowd answered queries, both personal and professional, from moderators Secretary Rosie Shannon (Fr. Dowd’s second cousin) and Vice-chair Mike Carter, as well as 140 persons attending the presentation at the K of C’s recently restored event-facility.

Fr. Bob has a southern Indiana connection. He was born in Louisville, but his family lived in Sellersburg. Even though he was but two years of age when they moved to Michigan City, IN, he still has many family roots here in the south.

As the program concluded, Indiana’s “Distinguished Hoosier Award” from Governor Mike Braun was presented to the Notre Dame University President Fr. Robert Dowd by state Representative Ed Clere.

Dear Facebook Friends: The CRBFI invites you to support of our operational and outreach efforts. To review the past year’s activities, go to www.cardinalritterhouse.org and click on the END OF YEAR LETTER link.

We are very frugal with our $$$ and wisely save for the unexpected. It would be an honor to add you to our faithful donor list.

Contribute via PayPal at www.cardinalritterhouse.org/support or by check to P. O. Box 831, New Albany, IN 47151-0831.

Our dedication comes from the Cardinal himself. “Work hard. Pray hard. Don’t worry!”

Cardinal Ritter, Pray For Us!

Support – Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation Inc Our Mission: To promote the legacy of Cardinal Ritter through activities that preserve his commitment to social justice, ecumenism, and service to others.

$10,000 GRANT FROM CAESAR’S FOUNDATION FLOYD COUNTY. Funds designated for a HVAC upgrade for the Birthplace. Vice-Chair Mike Carter and Chair John Blocker attended the presentation on December 3. THANK YOU, Caesar’s Foundation for supporting Floyd County’s historic outreach organizations!!!

ANNOUNCING: Special Lecture Event December 16, 2025 sponsored by Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc. and Knights of Columbus Cardinal Ritter Council 1221. See Poster for details.

The 17th S. ELLEN JONES NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVAL was held on Saturday, September 6. Booths lined 13th Street at RITTER BIRTRHPLACE while RITTER PARK was alive with Farmer Steve’s Petting Zoo, and a bouncy house. CARDINAL RITTER BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION, INC. stages the annual event along with free lunches provided by the New Albany KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (Cardinal Ritter Council #1221). Rock wall climbing, ring toss, free books, professional hair cuts and styling options by Prosser Cosmetology students were busy from 11:00 to 2:00 on a cloudy but very pleasant autumn Saturday. Live music provided by COMMUNITY MUSIC ALLIANCE.

Our thanks to the following sponsors who made it all possible: NEW WASHINGTON STATE BANK, CITY OF NEW ALBANY, CAESARS FOUNDATION OF FLOYD COUNTY, ST. JOHN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FIRST HARRISON BANK, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, and CARDINAL RITTER BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION, INC.

These photos tell our story better than mere words.

For five years, the Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc. board of directors have helped distribute treats at the annual S. Ellen Jones School Field Day. On Wednesday, May 28, the New Washington State Bank Fun Truck provided ice cream treats to 290 students and 50 staff members on the final school day of the 2024-2025 school year.

In the photo, standing center in the NWSB Fun Truck is Melissa Jamison, a long-time supporter and bank manager. She is joined by Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc. board members, Fr. Steve Banet, Pat Leist-Stumler, Mike Carter, and Tom Quinkert (seated).

Their smiling faces display a happy “Let’s do this” attitude prior to this year’s event.

Our sincere thanks to New Washington State Bank for underwriting the event each year.

Our thanks to the Knights of Columbus, Cardinal Ritter Council #1221 in New Albany for staging their January 17, 2025, Fish FriDAY event to benefit the Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Incorporated. We also extend our gratitude to all who attended to enjoy the best fish in town! Pictured with a check for $3,034.00 reflecting the net proceeds of the event are past Grand Knight Mike Carter and CRBFI board of directors’ member and current historian Ray Day.

On October 8, 2024 we welcomed GILDA'S FLOYD (the New Albany location of GILDA'S CLUB KENTUCKIANA) to the CARDINAL RITTER BIRTHPLACE. GILDA'S CLUB offers "free support for people living with cancer."

For 16 years, the CARDINAL RITTER BIRTHPLACE has sponsored the S. ELLEN JONES NEIGHBORHOOD STREET FAIR in concert with the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, and ST. JOHN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Through the years, other sponsors shared their support (see flyer). This year's event is scheduled for September 7. Visit www.cardinalritterhouse.org homepage for event flyer.

Sunday, July 21, you are invited to a "TALK & TOUR: CARDINAL RITTER 101" session. Please go to www.cardinalritterhouse.org and click on the TALK & TOUR link on the front page. Thank You.

Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation Inc Our Mission: To promote the legacy of Cardinal Ritter through activities that preserve his commitment to social justice, ecumenism, and service to others.