By Paula Graham
Catholic Herald correspondent
Tony parish celebrates centennial
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Members of St. Anthony de Padua parish in Tony pose for a photo following a centennial Mass Sept. 9. Pictured from left, bottom row, are: Louis Cicha, Irma Voss, Julie Cornilssen, Mary Soltis, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss, and Doris Christman. Top row: Peter Groothousen, Lucille Groothousen, Sr. Cecile Kees, Sr. Jovita Winkel, Deacon Richard Leonhard, Fr. John Anderson, Gert Collier, and Richard Christman. (Photo by Paula Graham) |
TONY -- Members of St. Anthony de Padua Parish gathered On Sept. 8 and 9 to honor their century-old parish. It was a weekend of celebration. From Saturday's cemetery walk, vespers and pot luck supper, to Sunday's Mass, catered dinner, games and musical entertainment, it was also a time to give thanks for their beautiful church and vibrant faith community.
In his homily, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss congratulated St. Anthony parishioners on the occasion of their centennial. "Any anniversary is a time to celebrate, and 100 years is major and very special," he said.
A centennial celebration, continued Fliss, is a time to look back and reflect on the parish's list of accomplishments, its priests and people. "More important," he said, "are the stories of individuals in the community today and in years gone by."
Fliss urged the congregation to strengthen their commitment to the Lord. "With the future before us, we must think about what we'll do with it as individuals and as a parish to make the world a better place. Our perspective on life must be rooted in faith. We cannot turn our eyes away from situations where people are diminished in any way. We cannot tolerate violence toward another human being."
Fr. John Anderson read a letter of congratulations from Sr. Teresa Sandok, president of the Servants of Mary. Anderson thanked Fliss, the centennial planning committee, the parish cluster choir, as well Glen Flora Lutheran Church, St. Mary Parish of Hawkins, and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish of Ladysmith, for gifts of plants. He also thanked Martha Johnson, music director at Glen Flora Lutheran, for directing an ecumenical children's chorus, which provided entertainment following Mass and dinner.
According to Deacon Richard Leonhard's "100 Years at St. Anthony de Padua," several families date from the early days of the church, "with third, fourth and fifth generation members still attending."
Irma Voss, who attended the centennial celebration, became a member of St. Anthony 68 1/2 years ago when her family moved to Tony. Voss and her husband Fred, now deceased, reared 18 children -- 7 boys and 11 girls. She remembers riding to church in their 1936 Buick. "It would be my husband and his mother, our children and me. People would wait out front just to watch us get out of our car," she said, laughing. The family filled nearly three pews. "Luckily, the children were small for their ages," said Voss.
Fliss also congratulated St. Anthony parishioners on the upkeep and care of their church. "I look around the church and see the tremendous care you've given the building."
And he added, "It is time to look into our own hearts and minds and see where we are with God. To look at our own building, our character and our relation to Jesus."
Deacon prepares history of Tony parish
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001