A Century of Blessings
For the next 2 weeks we will be counting down to our 100th Anniversary Mass celebration on October 18 by listing our SAINT THOMAS blessings.
M – Music Ministry – Music has always been an important part of the worship at Saint Thomas. Choirs were formed in the very early days of the parish. The sweet treble voices of the school children could be heard singing beautiful old Latin and English hymns at the 8:00 am. Mass and the mature male and female adult voices at the 11:00 High Mass added significantly to the solemnity of the service.
Mrs. Oscar Varneau was the first organist, playing for Masses in the Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel. The first organist in the newly built church was Mrs. Sichterman. She was followed by Fred Chinninck as organist and Miss Agnes Douglas as choir director. They provided music at Saint Thomas until 1940. In 1940, Miss Anna Schulte, long time organist and choir director at the parish, began her ministry. Miss Schulte served for 27 years from 1940 until her retirement in 1967. She was able to build the choirs during her tenure from a handful of members to large and extremely professional singing groups. Robert Olman became organist and choir director upon Anna Schulte’s retirement.
After Vatican II, new songs and ideas were added to the changing liturgies and the entire congregation became involved in singing. The choirs role was to worship with rather than perform for the congregation. In May 1969, a Folk Mass with guitars was added at the 9:00 Sunday Mass. In 1979, the group became known as “The Little Lights.” They had added clarinets, flutes and percussion to the guitars and vocals and were a staple at the 9:30 Mass on Sundays. In 1983, Kathy and Greg Proulx began their guitar ministry at Saint Thomas, succeeding “The Little Lights.” Sarah (Meinke) Hamstra served as organist throughout the 1980’s while Richard Streng, Charles Buffham and Lorraine Hardebeck served as choir directors. The first Children’s Choir was started in 1986 and led by Charles Buffham and Kathy Proulx. The children’s choir known as The Little Disciples led by Kathy Proulx began to sing at a 9:30 am Children’s Mass in October 1987. Dianne Penning Koperski joined the staff in 1988 in the newly created position of Coordinator of Parish Music Ministries. Kathy Proulx joined the staff as the leader of Liturgical Ensemble and Sarah Hamstra continued to serve as organist. Terry Hicks succeeded Diane Koperski. In 1993, a young Eileen Bockheim was hired as Director of Music Ministry. Kathy Proulx became Assistant Director of Music Ministry. This dynamic duo has led our music ministry for over 30 years.
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Jubilee Pilgrimage for Young Adults and College/University Students
November 2 ▪️3:00 pm
Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 301 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids
This pilgrimage, which will take place on All Souls Day, offers an extra special opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence. Join with young adults and college/university students from across the diocese to celebrate our faith in Christ Jesus together. Although local pilgrimages, like this one, seek to draw together certain groups of pilgrims under a theme, all are welcome.
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State March for Life – November 6!
Will you join us? We need your presence in Lansing on Thursday, November 6 to make sure our elected officials know that the defense of life matters to Michiganders!
Where: The State Capitol, 100 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing
Time: 11 a.m. – Rally, Capitol lawn, Noon – March to the State Supreme Court
Transportation options: The diocese will be sponsoring two buses for this year’s Michigan March for Life in Lansing. One bus will pick up and drop off at Saint Isidore the Laborer Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, and the other pick up and drop off at Saint Francis de Sales, Norton Shores. The cost is $23 per person. To reserve your spot, please scan the QR code or contact Lauren Vandervort at lvandervort@GRdiocese.org or 616-246-0588.
Please note that unaccompanied minors are not allowed to ride the diocesan-sponsored bus. To find other publicly available bus transportation, visit marchforlife.org/mi-bus-2/
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