Anniversaries Abound
St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Mary parishes celebrate centennials and more
December 9, 2021
St. Thomas Aquinas
FREEPORT—St. Thomas Aquinas Church began its 100th anniversary celebration with an evening Mass celebrated by Bishop David Malloy on Dec. 4.
It was exactly 100 years before, on Dec. 4, 1921, that Bishop Peter J. Muldoon formally established this Freeport parish.
Concelebrants at the Mass included three priests who were pastors at St. Thomas Aquinas — Msgr. P. William McDonnell (1992-2013), Father David Beauvais (1990-1992) and Msgr. Thomas Dzielak (1978-1990). Father Robert Sherry (associate at St. Thomas Aquinas from 1966-1970) also attended.
Parishioners enjoyed catching up with them and Bishop Malloy before and during a reception that followed the Mass. Father Peter Snieg is the current pastor at the parish.
The parish will continue its anniversary celebration at other events in 2022, including a centennial concert March 6 and a parish family pig roast and party June 4.
—Story contributed by Amanda Hudson, news editor.
St. Mary
PECATONICA—The anniversary celebration at St. Mary Parish, here, began in the same way the parish did 150 years ago — in the prayer of the Mass.
Bishop David Malloy celebrated Mass Dec. 5 with pastor Father Dennis Morrissy and assisted by Deacon Warren LaMont to begin a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the current parish church building and the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the parish.
Bishop Malloy said to those gathered for the 9 a.m. Mass celebration “that everyone of us here knows some aspect of the life of this parish and the life of the Church … and each one can be really proud of how much work, how much sacrifice and how much joy has gone into the life of the parish in those 150 years.”
Bishop Malloy also reminded parishioners that they are tied to the history and the people of the parish through their prayers “and are guided by God’s hands.”
After Mass the Knights of Columbus 4941 and the women of St. Mary’s Guild served a continental breakfast in the parish hall.
More events are being planned at the parish including the annual Stations of the Cross and Soup Supper to be held in March.
—Story contributed by Penny Wiegert, editor.
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