The image of children participating in Mass and waving flags in celebration poignantly told the story of St. William the Abbot Parish, Howell, as it commemorated its 25th anniversary during a Mass of Thanksgiving Sept. 25.

The community that began a quarter century ago, gathering in a local school gymnasium for Mass, has evolved into the strong and vibrant parish of more than 1,100 families, many of them with young children. Joining in the celebration were Bishop John M. Smith and area clergy, along with hundreds of parish families.

Click here for photos of the anniversary Mass

Bishop Smith, who served as principal celebrant and homilist, noted the number of young people involved in the Mass, saying, “When Pope Benedict XVI was elected, he said the Church is alive and young. I am thrilled to see that holds true here in St. Matthew the Abbot Parish.”

St. William the Abbot Parish was established Aug. 30, 1985 by Bishop John C. Reiss. For the first 12 years of parish history, the ‘church’ was actually the gymnasium of Ramtown Elementary School. The only liturgical art was a small crucifix placed between the basketball hoops, according to Deacon Kevin Smith.

Eventually, parishioners were able to celebrate Sunday Mass in Holy Family Church, Lakewood, and on July 23, 1995, ground was broken on a new church building. The first official Mass in the new church was celebrated on Aug. 16, 1997.

Parishioners remembered the early days in the gymnasium and laughed about the décor at a reception after Mass. “I remember looking at Baptism photos, and there were the basketball hoops,” said Dennis Fugedy, a parish trustee. Fugedy and his wife, Isabelle, are longtime parishioners and noted that while the parish has grown, the close knit character of the community has remained the same.

“It’s small but mighty,” Isabelle said.

Dennis added, “The benefit of belonging to a small parish is that you know everyone, and everyone feels welcome. That’s what I like best here.”

Bishop Smith congratulated those gathered, noting something special about the character of the parish. “I like to come here. You just seem to radiate God’s love, spirit and great faith. It’s a joy,” Bishop Smith said.

He characterized the parish as a prototype of what he prays for in all parishes and acknowledged the stewardship of the pastor, Father Francis P. Ta m .

During the offertory procession, members of every parish ministry offered gifts which were representative of the time and talent used to build the parish. The hospitality committee offered a teapot, symbolizing the fellowship shared with refreshments after Mass, and the welcome committee presented a welcome packet which is given to all new parishioners.

The social concerns ministry offered a food basket, given to those in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas. To symbolize the work done to keep the building presentable for worship, the buildings and grounds committee offered a hammer and grass. Members of the pastoral council presented a papal blessing from the Holy Father.

In closing remarks, Father Tam recognized the collective efforts of the congregation who had believed in the “dream” of St. William the Abbot – and like Bishop Smith – particularly all of the young people who made the day’s celebration so joy-filled.