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St. Linus marks 50 years

Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 30, 2006

Dearborn Heights – Bright sunshine and brighter smiles epitomized the day June 24 as St. Linus Parish ended a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Adam Maida, pastor Fr. Robert LaCroix and former pastors and associate pastors.

Parishioners, former and present, packed the pews of the recently remodeled church on Evangeline Street, as outdoors newly planted flowers in full bloom seemed to be sharing in the joy of the jubilee event.

Cardinal Adam Maida, joined by Fr. Robert LaCroix and former priests assigned to St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights, presides at Eucharist in a Mass to mark the parish's 50th anniversary.

At Mass, Cardinal Maida voiced thanks to the Lord for the blessing of St. Linus Parish.

"We praise and thank Him for inspiring the creation of the parish and for sustaining it all these years," the cardinal said. "Your parish has changed greatly over the years and the needs of God's people have evolved greatly – but thanks to the presence of the Holy Spirit and the generous support of many of you, the people of this parish have always looked at every new challenge as an opportunity for new growth and development."

St. Linus, which has 1,250 families and a pre-K-through-eighth-grade school, was established at a time when many new parishes were springing up in the area. As noted by the cardinal in a letter to the parish, when Fr. Maurice Veryser founded St. Linus there was a clear line of sight from Telegraph to Beech Daly roads and from Warren to Ford roads.

Now, thousands of houses and businesses fill the area.

The cardinal thanked all the parishioners, priests and religious who made the parish flourish over the years, naming each pastor, the Bernadine Franciscan Sisters and the Sisters of St. Joseph who were active in the parish and school.

Over its half-century, and particularly in the past few years, St. Linus parishioners have shown a passion for charity and faith sharing, said its pastor and those on parish committees.

Cardinal Adam Maida, flanked by Fr. Robert LaCroix (foreground, left), elevates the host at the altar during the anniversary Mass.

Among the most memorable parts of parish life, parishioners mentioned celebrating the Easter Vigil and serving a Thanksgiving meal to the needy. The parish also has a new Knights of Columbus council that's grown at a tremendous rate, adding more than 50 knights in a single year.

Fr. LaCroix said, too, that parishioners are quick to volunteer for food banks, collections, and giving to those in need.

"We do have a great tradition of Christian service," he said.

That's why, he added, the parish jubilee is really a celebration of a community acting as Christ.

"It isn't so much a celebration of who we are, but of who God is," he said. "We are here and are prospering and celebrating only because of His grace."

Many long-time parishioners caught up with former pastors after the Mass. Others reminisced with each other on what the parish has been to them.

St. Linus Parish Founded: 1956. Families: 1,250. Founding pastor: Fr. Maurice Veryser. Current pastor: Fr. Robert LaCroix. Location: 6466 Evangeline St., Dearborn Heights. School: St. Linus School, Pre-K through 8. Outreach: Food bank, St. Vincent de Paul society, annual Thanksgiving dinner for the needy, Knights of Columbus council, various special collections. Web site: www.stlinusparish.org

"It means a lot to me," said Beatrice Pasierb, a founding parishioner, after Mass. "I've met a lot of friends, and I've known all these priests who were here today. It was very nice."

Parishioners also said the warmth of the community makes St. Linus special.

"The parish, in our case, is an extended family," said Michele Kramarz, who was one of the first students to go through St. Linus School. "It's nice to be able to celebrate something as exciting as a 50th and look forward to many more years together."

Cindy Ontko, co-chairwoman of the parish anniversary committee, also voiced her gratefulness that the celebration went so well, and especially that parishioners all came together to make it happen.

"I couldn't stop smiling," she said, adding that Cardinal Maida's presence added an excitement to the day reminiscent of her own first Communion.

During his homily, the cardinal also voiced gratitude for the parish's involvement in the Together in Faith process — the archdiocesan-wide reorganization program — and assured parishioners that the faith community is a vital one.

"I want to assure you that St. Linus Parish truly has a continuing mission," the cardinal said, "and that we should look forward to the future with much hope and enthusiasm."