Today marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of my parish church, St. Anthony of Padua.  For the first two years, the parish was under diocesan control, and again for the last two, but in the intervening 96 years, we were shepharded by the Conventual Order of Friars Minor (the black Franciscans).

This evening, we had an anniversary Mass, which featured several of the friars who had been stationed at St. Anthony’s in recent years.  Among the friars whom I remembered, in attendance were Frs. Fred, Bernie, JR, John and Ray, as was the Franciscan provincial.

Fr. Mark’s homily was appropriate and well-delivered, and the music was great.

Happy anniversary, St. Anthony’s!