Bishop Returns for Celebration

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will return to Saint Michael Catholic Church Sunday (September 29) to lead the parish's 150th anniversary celebration.

The bishop will preside over the bilingual Sesquicentennial Mass at noon which replaces the 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Masses. Concelebrating will be Fr. John and Fr. Eloy and possibly other former pastors and area priests whom have been invited.

Following the Mass, a dinner will be held at the school gym, hosted by the pastoral council.  The meal, open to the entire parish, will be a roasted boneless turkey and all the trimmings, as well as a variety of Mexican foods.  Special anniversary cake will be served for dessert.

"We are looking forward to the anniversary celebration on September 29th," said Rev. John S. Korcsmar, C.S.C., pastor of Saint Michael. "The celebration is the closing of the year of celebrating our 150th anniversary as a parish."

The Mass and celebration is being held on the Feasts of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.

Last fall the parish began its celebration with a colorful street fair held on Center Street in front of the school. During the year, historical presentations were made every month.

In 2010, the bishop was on hand on September 29 to help the parish celebrate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the church. The celebration included a special Mass concelebrated by the bishop and a buffet dinner for parishioners and friends.

Concelebrating were then pastor Rev. William J. Kummer, Fr. Eloy and former pastors of St. Michael — Rev. David Voors and Rev. Laurence Tippmann. People lined Center Street as Bishop Rhoades blessed the memorial plaque honoring the 100th milestone and rededicated the original cornerstone