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Phoenix parish marks
50 years of ministry
By Gina Keating, The Catholic Sun
January 3, 2008
As a testament to its legacy of community, generations of families gathered in prayer at Most Holy Trinity Church in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
Several hundred people attended the first of two morning Masses Dec. 16, which also marked the third week of Advent.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted presided at both the English and Spanish Masses, with the first concelebrated by Fr. Robert Skagen, pastor, and Deacon Tom Phelan.
The golden jubilee celebration was an occasion to toast five decades of tradition at the parish focused on living the Gospel values — values like generosity, peace, justice and love of neighbor.
“People here have a real family tie,” said Pat Schuller, a parishioner for the past 46 years and a Knight of Columbus. “There is a fondness because we are warm, open and inviting. People don’t leave, thank God.”
As the parish honored its past, it embraced the future full of trust in God.
Bishop Olmsted addressed the congregation with messages of a hope-filled future in his homily.
As a witness to Christ, the bishop described how the parish has given hope and passed on its faith to its children, neighbors, schools and the community.
“Hope is patient. Patience requires trust in God, especially in times of turmoil,” the bishop said. “Hope sustains us, even when we do not understand. Hope gives us a future that’s bright with promise.”
His words fell gently on those who heard him, and a sense of quiet excitement filled the air.
What initially began with a handful of people celebrating the Eucharist in a vacant north Phoenix store has now blossomed into more than 1,000 registered families.
Numerous ministries that have surfaced over the past 50 years — such as Life Teen and the Ministry of Care — are a tribute to the life of the parish community.
Mary Ajamie has been a parishioner for nearly five decades.
“This is home,” she said. “It’s nice to see people return, and it’s wonderful to see new families. I enjoyed how the bishop said we can always hope in God because He will always be there.”
Fr. Skagen recognized the founding priests and Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who have served as educators and administrators at the school.
Tony and JoAnne Caruso met while attending elementary school at the parish school.
The couple is part of four generations of families who have made Most Holy Trinity their spiritual home.
“It feels good to look around and see those you have known for 50 years,” JoAnne said. “And even though Fr. Bob has only been here a few months, the minute you meet him you feel like you’ve always known him. He’s a firecracker.”
The Carusos joined the congregation in a reception line to greet Bishop Olmsted following the Mass of Thanksgiving. The bishop blessed babies and sacramentals, signed autographs and posed for pictures.
Historical church pictures from the past 50 years were on exhibit, which captured Tony as a young boy on stairs leading to the yet-to-be-completed choir loft.
“I snuck over there and a neighbor took the photo,” he confessed.
The outdoor reception was filled with the sounds of laughter, and an emotional sniffle from Schuller.
The father of three attended the school, received his sacraments, was married and attended the funerals of his mother, father and brother in the church.
“I grew up in stewardship. My father was the custodian for 24 years and he would wake me Saturday morning to pick up trash or set up the hall for bingo,” Schuller said. “The church is my family tradition.”
To ring in a new year, the campus will have a little face-lift. Through the efforts of its capital campaign, the parish will spruce up with new paint, minor repairs and upgrades.
But there’s one thing they can’t change — the tremendous spirit of the community.
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