St. Michael Catholic Church will celebrate 75 years of faith, hope and gratitude in a 75th Diamond Jubilee celebration Saturday, Dec. 6 at its location at 316 E. Washington.
The anniversary activities will begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. with the Most Rev. Robert M. Coerver, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock serving as presider. Concelebrants will be the Very Rev. Jonathan Phillips, pastor, and Rev. Dennis Marcos, associate pastor.
Rev. Rudolf “Rudi” Crasta, former pastor of St. Michael Parish and currently the pastor of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Lubbock, will serve as the homilist. A reception will follow Mass in the Parish Hall that will be hosted by the Parish’s ministries and organizations. A special photo presentation charting the history of the church will be shown at the reception.
“I joyfully welcome all who have come to celebrate this milestone in the life of our parish,” said Father Phillips. “Today we give thanks for the faith we share, the community we have built, and the many ways God continues to work among us. May our time together strengthen our unity and uplift our spirits.” St. Michael Catholic Church began as a mission of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Littlefield. Father F. Michael Higgins, pastor of Sacred Heart, shepherded the growing parish for 10 years, saying Mass every Sunday in the American Legion Hall. During this time, he began a six-year process to build support for a new church building.
With the help of the Catholic Extension Society, construction of St. Michael Catholic Church began in early 1950. The church was dedicated Dec. 6, 1950, by the Most Rev. Laurence Fitzsimon, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. Father Higgins, and later, Father Wilford Bosen cared for the mission until 1956, when the first resident pastor, Father Richard H. MacLellan, was assigned.
Almost immediately a rectory was built, and that was followed by a parish hall. Father “Mac” saw the need for a Catholic School, and in 1962 Saint Michael School opened its doors for instruction. It remained in operation for 22 years before it was closed in 1983.
“Our church community was founded on the pillars of faith, hope, and gratitude,” said Father Phillips. “As we reflect on the 75 years of our parish history, we are invited to honor the faith of those who built this parish, to rejoice with gratitude for the blessings we share today, and to look to the future with hope as we continue God’s work together.”
Planning for a badly needed new church began in 1985 under the direction of Msgr. Timonthy Schwertner, and ground was broken for construction in May of 1986. The new church was dedicated on February 1, 1987.
Over the past 75 years, St. Michael Parish has been pastored by 12 priests who have tended to the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish. The parish currently serves more than 600 families. All are invited to attend the 75th Diamond Jubilee celebration.