St. Mary Parish celebrates 50 years of memories

Intermountain Catholic

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St. Mary parishioners come together to celebrate their 50th anniversary with food, childrens' games, a costume contest, and live music by Buzz Nietert, who made a Christmas CD and donated the proceeds to the St. Mary building fund.

OGDEN — Parishioners came dressed in 1950s style poodle skirts, ponytails, white T-shirts, and Levi denim jackets for the 50th anniversary of St. Mary Parish in Ogden May 8. The 1950s theme was to honor the dedication of St. Mary Parish in 1957.

More than 500 parishioners lined the parking lot for the special surprise of three skydivers floating to the ground from 7,500 feet. They landed right on target across the street from the church to kick off the celebration.

Jesuit Father Martin Rock, pastor of St. Mary Parish, said he was grateful for 50 years of parishioners, the organizations of the parish, and the volunteers who made this celebration possible.

"I love this church," said LaDean Barela. "Building our new church in West Haven is bitter sweet. I was a member when we used to meet at Santa Maria Mission in Ogden and Jesuit Father Louis E. Kern was our pastor. We only had one Mass once a month."

Bishop Duane G. Hunt of the Diocese of Salt Lake City dedicated Santa Maria Mission Oct. 21, 1945, when there were 147 families, according to "The Salt of the Earth," by Bernice Mooney. "In 1947, the mission was organized for the Hispanic community.

"I remember when they were building St. Mary Church in the 1950s," said Barela. "We would walk around the foundation singing. My husband and I were one of the first couples to get married in the new church in 1958. "It will be sad not to come here any more. But I am watching the new church being built just like I watched this one. I have a lot of memories here. It is heart breaking to see it go."

Barela said members have always come from Roy, Layton, West Haven, Clinton, and Eden to St. Mary Parish.

"You must be very good to your pastors to keep them, you have only had three since this parish began in 1957," said Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City in his homily.

Fr. Kern was pastor from 1957 to 1974, Jesuit Father Neale W. Herrlich from 1974 to 1992, and Fr. Rock from 1992 until the present.

Bishop Wester noted how interesting he has found it going from one parish to another and seeing how each parish has its own charism; its own personality.

Bishop Wester said the key to getting a sense of the parish is getting to know the parish members.

"The body of Christ knows no boundaries and is not neatly packaged," said Bishop Wester. "Jesus taught us as parishioners to love one another. This is the way to show our love for God and one another, and that is not easy, that is part of the cross and what it means to be church. That is what you have been doing for 50 years here at St. Mary. You have been placing God in the center and have allowed the love of God to spill over into your love for each other.

"On behalf of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, we congratulate you and offer you our prayers as you continue on your journey into the exciting time of building your new church," said Bishop Wester.