Mgsr. Ken's Message on St. Mary's 75th Anniversay

Every year there are parishes across the United States celebrating anniversaries. This year, 2017, St. Mary’s is observing our 75th, a special milestone indeed. Like our parish, others have a list of names and dates, historical events, and benchmarks. Like our parish, they have an honor roll of holy and dedicated people, clergy, staff and parishioners. After all, we are all part of the same Church and share the same Catholic Faith.

However, I believe that St. Mary’s is unique. When I think about what makes our parish special, five things come to mind. Certainly we are not the only parish that has these achievements, but the fact that they all occur in one parish I think is something extraordinary.

The first is our incredible growth. When I arrived in 1992 we were celebrating our 50th anniversary. We were a small parish of around 2,000 families, with the newly built St. Mary’s, a rectory office, religious education center, and priest’s residence all in one building, plus a Parish Center for Mass, bingo, and other activities. Then, it happened. Housing construction exploded and we now have over 7,500 families, the largest parish in the Diocese and the biggest religious formation program. At a time when parishes are closing or merging, we built a second church, St. Mary of the Pines, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, and a new Parish Center. At a time when Catholic schools were closing we opened All Saints Regional Catholic School with four other area parishes. This amazing expansion is a testament to the vibrancy of our communities and our parishioners.

The second important development in our history is our strong and vibrant spirituality. We are a praying parish. Every day we have a strong attendance for daily Mass. Our weekend Masses are not completely full, but well attended. We have Perpetual Adoration, this year celebrating our 20th anniversary. We embrace a diversity of forms of prayers ranging from a charismatic prayer group to our Third Order Carmelites. Over the years we have had amazing retreats and special programs: privileged to include such names as Fr. Cassian Yuhaus, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Scott Hahn, Fr. Donald Calloway, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Fr Frank Pavone, and this year, Immaculee Ilibagiza. Yes, every day there’s a lot of praying going on in our parish.

We are very involved in our community. Our doors have been opened to host non-parish events, and we have welcomed groups ranging from Scouts to AA and NA. We have worked with people of other faiths and those in public office. From small beginnings, our outreach ministries have grown to be large programs of assistance. Every week to help feed, house, and lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need, regardless of background or circumstance, through our ministries of Ken’s Kitchen and St. Vincent de Paul, our Peaceful Dove Gift Shop, our participation in Family Promise, and Interfaith, St. Mary’s not only proclaims the Gospel in words, but puts it into action.

We are a very generous parish. Our weekly income is unbelievable. Given our size we need a good weekly offertory, but St. Mary’s parishioners have always gone above and beyond. Time and time again, our people have responded to people in need and have been more than generous to many worthwhile causes that are above and beyond their weekly support. Amazing!

Finally, I am particularly proud that St. Mary’s is a twinning parish. We have our sister parish, Holy Trinity in Zroobwe, Uganda. I have watched this relationship grow as our parishioners have opened their hearts to help this struggling parish to greatly improve their Church and their lives. They are currently nearing completion of their most special project -- their very own secondary school. In the third world, education is the key to the future. It is both exciting and heart-warming to watch our sister parish grow. Through it all, we have a special friend in Father Vincent. What an incredibly holy and wonderful priest! His last visit was most special. He was embraced with so much love. I was privileged to visit him in his home about two years ago and look forward to returning next year.

Yes, there are many parishes that can include one or more of these on their list of special accomplishments. However, I believe that St. Mary’s is unique and special in that all of these are part of our history. Way to go St. Mary’s! Happy Anniversary! And, above all, we give praise and glory to our great and wonderful God, who is the source of all our blessings.

     Sincerely in Christ,
     Msgr. Ken