St. Thomas Apostle Parish Was Formally Organized in 1916. the Fo

MILESTONES IN THE LIFE OF OUR PARISH (Saint Thomas the Apostle)

St. Thomas Apostle Parish was formally organized in 1916. The founders were a mixed group of immigrants, and, the parish-compound they eventually re- alized was built mostly on the nickels and dimes which they could ill afford and on the strong determination to build a House of God they could call their own. Perhaps a short outline of general conditions at that time, will give the reader more understanding of the trials and tribulations of our hardy pioneers, whose labor of love is our priceless inheritance today. European immigration, which had virtually ceased during World War I, be- gan to skyrocket after 1919 until it was sharply curtailed in 1923. On the other hand, a post-war boom was born and grew under the stimulation of installment credit and mechanical inventions, coupled by increasing productivity and demand. With their publications, secular and religious organizations, schools and churches, the immigrant-settlers of Detroit formed well-knit communities in eastern and western areas. By 1923 immigrant families occupied about one-fourth of the city's one hundred some miles of territory. They were an integral part of "Dynamic Detroit", adding to its growth and affected by its rapidly changing social and economic conditions, contributing to and sharing in its many problems. On this historical-tapestry of Detroit, we wish to point to dates which we feel are most significant in the history of St. Thomas Apostle Parish: 1916 SEPTEMBER 10: Father Stanley S. Skrzycki appointed Pastor of Saint Thomas Apostle Parish, Detroit, Michigan. SEPTEMBER 24: Father Skrzycki holds first services in a small store at the corner of Harper and Carrie Avenues. OCTOBER 2: The pastor initiates census-taking of his parishioners. DECEMBER 6: Land is purchased for the present parish buildings of Saint Thomas Apostle Parish. 1917 JANUARY 15: Architect Edward Schilling draws up plans and specifications for the first Church and School Building, to be located on the corner of Saint Thomas and Wallace Avenues. FEBRUARY 24: Ground is broken for the new Church and School. MARCH 1: Contracts are let for construction of the new buildings. JUNE 10: Saint Ann Society is organized with 39 members present at the first- meeting. AUGUST 13: Excavation begins for the new Rectory. OCTOBER 7: Services are held for the first time in the new Church. OCTOBER 24: Three Sisters of Saint Joseph, Order of St. Francis, from Garfield Heights, Ohio, with Sister Mary Priscilla as Superior, arrive to teach at the School, consisting of 160 pupils in five classrooms located in the basement of the Church. 1 NOVEMBER 6: Classes are formally opened. NOVEMBER 8: The pastor makes his home in the new Rectory. NOVEMBER 11: Dedication of the new Church by Auxiliary Bishop Edward D. Kelly at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception for all guests present. 1918 JANUARYS: Death of Bishop John S. Foley, D.D. , Ordinary of the Diocese of Detroit. FEBRUARY 10: The Main altar of the Church, donated by St. Ann's Society, is blessed. APRIL 7: The Church bell is blessed. SEPTEMBER 3: A Red Cross Unit is organized in the parish. OCTOBER 6: First Mission is held, with a week in the Polish language, con- ducted by Franciscan Fathers, and a week in the English language, directed by Redemptorist Fathers. NOVEMBER 17: The Most Reverend Michael J. Gallagher, D.D.arrives in Detroit to succeed Bishop Foley, as Ordinary of the Detroit Diocese.

1919 JANUARY 7: Saint Vincent de Paul Society is organized to serve the needy of the parish. MAY 4: Saint Joseph's Society, Group 1163 of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, is organized. JUNE 22: First Holy Communion and Confirmation Services mark the first visit of Bishop Michael Gallagher to St. Thomas Apostle Parish. JULY 20: A lay committee meets for the purpose of considering the building of a temporary School Unit to care for the increasing number of pupils. JULY 28: Work begins on the projected temporary School Building. SEPTEMBER 22: The School is blessed, and classes commence the following morning. 1920 JANUARY 11: Branch 1397 of the Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Society is organized. JANUARY 18: A Chapter of the Holy Name Society is founded, with 300 members present at the first meeting. MARCH 13 : Father Albert Mrowka begins his duties as the first assistant-priest to be appointed to St. Thomas. DECEMBER 5: A specially designated lay committee meets with a view of building a new permanent School Building.

2 1921 JANUARY 16: The first of the many successful retreats takes place, with Father John R. Hackett preaching in English, and Father Albert Zadala directing the Services in Polish. APRIL 19: The Church Committee appeals for a loan to begin the construction of a new School Building. MAY 2: Ground is broken for the new School Building. OCTOBER 24: The first Harvest Festival is held. NO V E M BE R 27: Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicates the new School. 1922 JANUARY 21: Pope Benedict VX dies and the parish goes into mourning. JANUARY 22: First dance of the Ushers' Club is held. FEBRUARY 16: First F at he rs' and Sons' Party, arranged by the Holy Name Society, takes place. SEPTEMBER 2: A Chapter of the Big Brothers is organized. 1923 MAY 7: With an increase of parishioners, a second assistant-priest is appointed in the person of Father Joseph S. Bartkowiak. OCTOBER 21: The first issue of the Saint Thomas News, a weekly, appears. NOVEMBER 19: The formation of the Harper-Van Dyke Businessmen's As- sociation takes place in Saint Thomas Auditorium. 1924 FEBRUARY 6: Messrs. John Shaughnessy, John Hafeli, Joseph Simowski, Adam Przybylski, and John Klepaczyk are appointed to serve on the special committee to consider the building of a new Church. MARCH 30: Bishop Michael Gallagher grants permission to build the Church. MAY 11: A Solemn High Mass is celebrated for the success of the campaign for funds to build a permanent Church. MAY 20: Father Joseph Plagens named Auxiliary Bishop-Elect for the Diocese of Detroit. JUNE 29: F a t h e r Chester Lipinski celebrates his First Solemn Mass. AUGUST 17: Plans for the permanent Church are completed and approved by Bishop Michael Gallagher. SEPTEMBER 28: Ground breaking ceremonies for the new Church takes place. DECEMBER 21: The cornerstone is laid for the new Church. 1925 APRIL 19: The Sisters of Saint Joseph our teaching-nuns, solicit financial aid from the parish to build their mother-house in Cleveland, Ohio. DECEMBER 13: Saint Thomas Good-fellows are organized and open their first drive to assist the poor of the parish at Christmas time.

3 1926 MARCH 25: A Council of Knights of Saint John are organized in the parish. MARCH 26: Bishop Edward D. Kelly dies and a period of diocesan-wide mourning begins. AUGUST 22: Holy Mass is celebrated for the first time in the permanent Church. SEPTEMBER 18: Ground is broken ind construction started on the new Rectory. NOVEMBER 21: The new organ, by Casant F e re r s, St. H y a c i n t h e , Q u ebec, is dedicated and a concert of sacred music is given by Rev. F. Joseph Kelly. 1927 APRIL 24: First Mission is given in permanent Church. JULY 10: The Roman Catholic Census, .taken at the r e q u e s t of the United States Government, shows a total of over 12,500 Catholics within the parish limits. AUGUST 21: The pastor and assistant-priests occupy the new Rectory. OCTOBER 16: Father Stanley S. Skrzycki receives an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the Very Rev. John P. McNichols SJ, President of the University of Detroit. 1928 MAY 25: Bishop Joseph Plagens consecrates the main altar of the permanent Church. JUNE 3: Bishop Michael Gallagher dedicates the new Church; the services were perhaps the most colorful and inspiring in the history of the parish. 1929 F E B R U A R Y 28: Weekly-envelope system inaugurated in the parish with great enthusiasm. MARCH 24: Auditorium is repaired and redecorated, and provided with a complete ventilating system. JUNE 16: Saint Thomas School graduates a record class. DECEMBER 22: The new Pulpit is blessed. 1930 MARCH 23: The first meeting-dance of the Saint Thomas Alumni is held. MAY 18: A closed retreat for men of the parish, to be held at Manresa, is announced. 1931 JUNE 27: Solicitors for the Catholic Extension Society conduct subscription drive in the parish. JUNE 20: The last appointment for the sanctuary, six altar candle sticks, are blessed — a gift of the Altar Society, completing the promised combination-gift of sanctuary furniture, chimes and altar crucifix. 1932 JULY 10: State Convention of the Polish Roman Catholic Association is held in the parish auditorium. 4 AUGUST 21: Census of parishioners is begun. SEPTEMBER 4: Saint Thomas News is revived after a two year recess. SEPTEMBER 4: A special class of religious instruction for prospective con- verts is started. 1933 FEBRUARY 5: A troop of the Boy Scouts is formed by Father Peter Widlak and Mr. Albert Tomlian. 1934 MARCH 4: A two Week Mission opens, with Divine Word andPassionist Fathers conducting the Services. 1935 JUNE 2: Father S. S. Skrzycki marks a quarter century of service to God and the Church by offering a Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee in the priesthood. JUNE 4: Father S. S. Skrzycki marks his Silver Jubilee in banquet with Bishop Michael Gallagher and a host of priest-friends . JUNE 9: Father Leo Demptz offers his First Solemn Mass. NOVEMBER 24: Bishop Joseph Plagens is appointed Ordinary of the Diocese of Marquette. 1936 FEBRUARY 16: General meeting of all parish s o c i e t i e s is held to discuss building a school annex, and introducing a complete program of High School courses. AUGUST 30: Father Thomas Jobs offers his First Solemn Mass. O C T O B E R 11: First home-to-home collection in the parish is announced. 1937 AUGUST 2: Archbishop Edward Mooney arrives in Detroit from Rochester, New York, to succeed the late Bishop Michael Gallagher. SEPTEMBER 8: Classes begin in the High School department. NOVEMBER 7: Father Anthony Schloss celebrates his First Solemn Mass. N O V E M B E R 14: The formation of a Girls' Social and Athletic Club is announced. 1938 JANUARY 25: Monsignor Stephen S. Woznicki is consecrated A u x i l i a r y Bishop of Detroit. APRIL 10: A solemn unveiling of the shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and the beginning of the weekly Novena Devotions takes place. Father Vitalis Lasota preached the sermon. MAY 15: Archbishop Edward Mooney names Father S. S. Skrzycki Arch- diocesan Consultor. MAY 20: Archbishop Edward Mooney makes his first visit to Saint Thomas 5 on the occasion of administering the Sacrament of Confirmation. JUNE 3: The Tenth Anniversary of the dedication of the permanent church is featured in the St. Thomas News. 1939 FEBRUARY 10: Pope Pius XI dies and parish goes into mourning. APRIL 30: Special Nine Day Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is con- ducted by Father M i c h a e l Pathe and Gerald Farrell of the R e d e m p t o r i s t Fathers. MAY 21: A Committee is appointed to represent the parish in the drive for the promotion of decent literature. JUNE 20: A Parish C o u n c i l of the X.C.C.W. is organized, including re- presentatives of the seven women-societies of the parish. 1940 APRIL 28: Father Norbert Sulkowski, C.P.P.S., o f f e r s his F i r s t Solemn Mass. SEPTEMBER 29: The Eastern Deanery of the Detroit Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women m e e t s in our auditorium for their annual meeting. DECEMBER 29: Plans for the erection of a new Convent for our Sisters meets with the approval of Archbishop Edward Mooney. 1941 JANUARY 5: Our teaching-sisters conduct a census of the parish. MARCH 30: Architect Edward Schilling completes plans for proposed Sisters' Convent. MAY 4: Design and specifications for projected Sisters' Convent is published in St. Thomas News. MAY 18: Dr. George Carrother, Chairman of the Board of Accreditation of the University of Michigan, announces that Saint Thomas High School has been placed on the list of accredited High Schools of Michigan. MAY 18: A Mission, in preparation for the Silver Jubilee of the Parish, is con- ducted by Fathers Stanislaus Pawlowski and Remigius Steczkowski of the Fran- ciscan Fathers, and Fathers Michael Pathe and Gerald Farrell of the Redemptorist Fathers. J U N E 8: Father Henry A. Waraksa chants his First Solemn Mass. JUNES: S a i n t T h o m a s High School graduates its first class of 39 students. OCTOBER 4: The Church Committee formulates plans for the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the parish, and the 25th Anniversary of Father Skrzycki's pastorate. O C T O B E R 20: Over a hundred volunteer-workers conduct a census of the Catholic Population of the parish at the request of Archbishop Edward Monney. NOVEMBER 9: Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Founding of the P a r i s h is held.

6 1942 M A Y 31: Father Anthony Wasilewski offers his First Solemn Mass. JULY 3: St. Thomas Parish sacrifices the services of an assistant-priest, by enthusiastically approving Father Vitalis Lasota's desire to enter the Chaplain Corps of the United States Army. JULY 26: Saint Anne's Society celebrates its Silver Jubilee of Founding. OCTOBER 18: A Public Address System is installed in the School. 1943 JANUARY 31: A Men's Choir is formed at Saint Thomas. JULY 1: The church interior is cleaned and decorated. JULY 18: The Altar Society celebrates its Silver J u b i l e e of service to the parish. NOVEMBER 30: Master Richard Lipinski receives Heroism Award while serving as Safety Patrol Boy at Saint Thomas. 1944 MAY 14: The new stained-glass windows are installed in the church as gift of the united parish societies. JUNE 4: Father S. S. Skrzycki observes the 35th Anniversary of his ordination. JULY 8: Father Stanley Borucki, assistant at Saint Thomas, is selected to a s s i s t with publication of the Archdiocesan Weekly, The Michigan Catholic. JULY 30: Saint Thomas School donates a fighter plane to the United States Air Force at a cost of $80,000 in bonds. AUGUST 17: Father S. S. Skrzycki is named Domestic Prelate with the title of R i g h t R e v e r e n d Monsignor by Pope Pius XII. OCTOBER 15: Saint Thomas Parish ships two thousand pounds of clothing to the needy overseas. NOVEMBER 12: Father S. S. Skrzycki is invested in the robes of Domestic Prelate. 1945 N O V E M B E R 4: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki welcomes home the men of the parish who served in the Army, Navy, Marines and A i r C o r p s at a parish testimonial. D E C E M B E R 16: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki offers scholarships for college to eligible seniors of Saint Thomas High School. 1946 JANUARY 6: Archbishop Edward Mooney is named Cardinal-Elect by Pope Pius XII. MARCH 24: Father Alexander Zaleski, former assistant at Saint Thomas, is named a Domestic Prelate by Pope Pius XII. OCTOBER 13: Saint Thomas Parish obs e r v e s t h e 30th Anniversary of its

7 founding. DECEMBER 8: Plans are announced to organize a Young People's Club. DECEMBER 15: A new Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, to be known as the Vjung People's Sodality, open to young ladies and men of the parish, meets for the first time. 1947 APRIL 6: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki, speaking for the members of the parish, extends a welcome to the new Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Allen J. Babcock, after his consecration. MAY 4: Pastor urges people of the parish to help returning-veterans find suitable homes. MAY 11: T w o students from Saint Thomas receive University of Michigan scholarship awards. JUNE 15: Plaques honoring those who served in World Wars I and n are un- veiled in the Church. A third plaque designates the 30th Anniversary of Founding of the Parish. OCTOBER 3: A new heating system is i n s t a l l e d in the parish at a cost of $23,000. 1948 JANUARY 4: Girls' Basketball Team plays its first game. MAY 6: Auxiliary Bishop Alien Babcock consecrates the new Altar of the Sacred Heart and blesses the new Baptistry of the Church, the latter being a gift of the Altar Society. MAY 23: Minstrel Show is presented by Young People's Sodality. 1949 JUNE 19: Father Frank A. Gutowski, S. J., offers his First Solemn Mass. OCTOBER 2: Plans are announced for the building of an addition to the School. 1950 FEBRUARYS: Block Rosary Crusade inaugurated in the parish. APRIL 22: "Dixieland Varieties" presented by young people of the parish, under the direction of Father Raymond Maiberger. MAY 23: Monsignor Alexander Zaleski, f o r m e r ass i s t ant , consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit by Cardinal Edward Mooney. JUNE 25: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki observes his 40th A n n i v e r s a r y in the priesthood. AUGUST 27: Saint Thomas High School hires Mr. Walter Bazylewicz as full-time coach and athletic director. NOVEMBER 26: Six new classrooms, an addition to the School, are opened. 1951 JANUARY 7: The building of a new Sisters' Convent is announced as the project for the year 1951. 8 JANUARY 19: School children conduct paper drive for Convent Fund. APRIL 18: Sisters of Saint Joseph observe 50th Anniversary of Founding. Holy Mass is offered at 9:30 a.m., and a reception at 7:30 p.m. SEPTEMBER 18: The Parish observes its 35th Anniversary of Founding. OCTOBER 21: Young People's Sodality opens nursery between hours of 9:15 and 12:15 on Sundays, to permit parents of small children to attend Mass. NOVEMBER 25: Parish census is taken up by members of the ladies' societies. 1952 FEBRUARY 15: Mass blood-donations by parishioners total 121 pints for the Red Cross. JUNE 15: Convent Fund Drive begins. JULY 6: F a t h e r Arthur Waligore, C.S.B., celebrates his First Solemn Mass. DECEMBER 21: The cornerstone of the Sisters' Convent is laid. 1953 MARCH 15: Saint Thomas School holds its first open house for all parents. MARCH 29: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki gives report on progress of the Convent construction, and thanks all who helped make this necessary building possible. OCTOBER 26: The Sisters' Convent is completed and an Open House is held. 1954 MARCH 20: Bishop Alexander Zaleski consecrates the altar in the convent- chapel. SEPTEMBER 26: Saint Thomas Parish is 38 years old. NOVEMBER 28: Father Michael Filip l e a v e s for service in the A r m e d Services. 1955 AUGUST 14: Parish Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Garfield Heights, Ohio, is made. OCTOBER 30: The Bluestreaks of Saint Thomas win Football Championship in the Second Division of the Parochial League f o r t h e f i r s t time in their history. NOVEMBER 11: The Bluestreaks win the City Football Championship. 1956 FEBRUARY 19: Mr. Walter Bazylewicz named High School Football Coach of the Year by the Detroit Times. MAY 27: Father Arthur Jakubiak offers his First Solemn Mass. J U N E 17: F a t h e r Gregory Kareta, O. F.M. Conv., offers his First Solemn Mass. JULY 8: Saint Thomas Parish sends spiritual bouquet to Pope Pius XII on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee in the priesthood.

9 1957 MAY 26: Father Joseph F. Hrabovsky offers his First Solemn Mass. SEPTEMBER 22: Saint Thomas Alumni Association is re-established by Father Thaddeus Wypijewski. NOVEMBER 17: Saint Thomas Blue-streaks win City Football Championship for second straight year. 1958 MAY 4: Saint Thomas News announces "Spiritual Foundations "Day in Michigan at request of Cardinal Edward Mooney. JUNE 15: Two lay teachers are sought for the faculty of S a i n t Thomas High School. A s h o r t a g e of Teaching Sisters, plus the rapid expansion of the Catholic School System makes it n e c e s s a r y to supplement Teaching Sisters with lay teachers. S E P T E M B E R 14: An Archdiocesan C e n s u s is requested by Cardinal Edward Mooney. Men of the parish volunteer to c a r r y out commission given to the National Council of Catholic Men. OCTOBER 25: Saint Thomas Parish learns of the unexpected death of our beloved Cardinal Edward Mooney in Rome. NOVEMBER 9: Archdiocesan Census is completed. N O V E M B E R 23: Saint Thomas wins Parochial League Football Championship. NOVEMBER 30: Detroit Free Press names C oa c h Walter B a z y l e w i c z "Coach of the Year." 1959 JANUARY 29: The Most Reverend John Dearden, D.D., newly appointed Arch- bishop of Detroit, arrives from Pittsburg. JULY 1: New shower and locker rooms are installed in the gymnasium. JULY 6: Work begins on the cleaning and r e d e c o r a t i n g of the Church by Griewe, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio. DECEMBER 1: The redecoration of the interior of the Church is completed. DECEMBER 15: Plans are formulated for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Priesthood of Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki. 1960 JANUARY 15: Saint Thomas High School placed in the F i r s t Division, Parochial League, for all major sports, effective in the fall of 1960. FEBRUARY 9: Saint T h o m a s Bluestreaks win Parochial League Second Division East championship in basketball. MARCH 5: S a i nt Thomas Bluestreaks win D i s t r i c t Championship in State Tournament. MARCH 12; Saint Thomas Bluestreaks win Regionals in S t a t e Tournament. MARCH 13: Holy Mass of Participation inaugurated at the 7:30 Holy Mass. MARCH 16: Bluestreaks win Quarter Final Round of State Tournament. MARCH 18: In Lansing, Michigan, the Bluestreaks are defeated in the Semi- 10 Final round of the State Tournament. APRIL 1: National census begins. MAY 14: Athletic Banquet is held. Mr. Walter Bazylewicz announces plans to retire as Coach and Athletic Director of Saint Thomas High School. MAY 22: Veterans of Foreign Wars hold M e m o r i a l Mass and Service in Saint Thomas Church. J U N E 5: P a r i s h D a y of P a stor 's Golden Jubilee. Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki. The sermon was d e l i v e r e d by Father Raymond Ellis, and a Testimonial D i n n e r was held in the H a l l at 6:00 p.m. Open House at 8:00 p.m. JUNES: Priests D a y of Pa s t or' s G o l d e n J u b i l e e . Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was offered in the presence of His Excellency, The Most Reverend Archbishop John F. Dearden, at 10:00 a.m. The Sermon was delivered by Monsignor John Hackett, V.G., and a dinner at 12:30 was served in the Social Hall for the Jubilarian and his priest-friends. JUNE 24: Father John E. Smith leaves St. Thomas after five years of service. JUNE 24: Father Richard Kukler asasigned assistant-priest. SEPTEMBER 4: Mr. Paul Mandziara contracted as full-time coach for the Bluestreaks. OCTOBER 7: New facilities for Drafting I and II are installed in the High School Building. 1962 JANUARY 7: St. Joseph Sisters' Auxiliary celebrates its Silver Jubilee of Founding. APRIL 3: Father Clifford Ruskowski offers his First Solemn High Mass. APRIL 13: Father Raymond Malyszak leaves St. Thomas Parish. APRIL 13: Father Paul Sierocki is assigned assistant-priest. JUNE 3: Father Harold Bahlow celebrates his First Solemn High Mass. S E P T E M B E R 12: Father Richard Kukler leaves St. Thomas. 1963 A PRIL 28: Father Bonaventure Andres ::ers his First Solemn High Mass. SEPTEMBER 11: F a t h e r A d o l p h Redwick leaves St. Thomas. SEPTEMBER 11: Father Jerome Dabrowski is assigned assistant- priest. OCTOBER 6: A two week Mission is begun. 1964 N O V E M B E R 29: Holy Mass in the vernacular tongue is offered for the first time in St. Thomas Church. 1965 MAY 30: Father Gerald Thaar offers his First Solemn High Mass. J U N E 16: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki c o m p l e t e s h i s forty-ninth year as 11 pastor. JUNE 23: F a t h e r Roman Narkun assumes duties as pastor of St. Thomas Parish. JUNE 23: Father Paul Sierocki leaves St. Thomas to become pastor of St. Isidore's Parish in Mt. Clemens. JUNE 23: Father Dennis Harrity leaves St. Thomas. JUNE 23: Father Bernard Harrington begins r esid en ce at St. Thomas to s e r v e as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Archdiocese. JUNE 23: Monsignor S. S. Skrzycki celebrates his Fifty-fifth year in t h e priesthood. JUNE 23: Father Norbert Sulkowski, C.PP.S. returns to c e l e b r a t e his Silver Jubilee of Ordination with a Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving. JUNE 24: Rev. M. Herbert Lorentz, a Deacon from St. John's Seminary, assigned for w e e k e n d s e r v i c e at the parish. 1966 JUNE 22: Father Edward P o p i e 1 a r z assigned assist a n t - priest to St. Thomas. JULY 11: First meeting of the Jubilee Committee to formulate plans for t h e observance of the fiftieth year of the parish's founding. SEPTEMBER 26: Neon sign proclaiming the Golden Jubilee of Founding erected over the entrance of the church. OCTOBER 11: Inauguration of a Class in Christian Acceptance, which is open to adults, Catholic and Non-Catholic. NOVEMBER 20: Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving in the presence of t h e Most Reverend John Dear den, marking the Golden Jubilee of Founding of St. Thomas. N O V E M B E R 27: Golden Jubilee of F o u n d i n g Banquet is h e l d at Roma Hall, marking the fiftieth year of St. Thomas. ______Te Deum Laudamus, Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish Observes its Golden Jubilee of Founding November 20-27, 1966, Detroit, Michigan, pp14-15, 42-45, 47-53