Parish profile – St. Thomas, Kent

St. Thomas Church in Kent. Photos courtesy of St. Thomas Parish
St. Thomas Church in Kent. Photos courtesy of St. Thomas Parish

St. Thomas Parish was founded in 1891. There are currently 90 households in the parish. The information below is from Kristi Bivens, pastoral associate.

Q: What is the most interesting facet of your church building?

A: We have four beautiful altars. Three of the altars were purchased from the E. Hackner Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The altar at the back of the sanctuary was built in butternut and natural wood finish and trimmed in gold. It has a crucifix at its center with Mary and St. John on either side of it. The side altars, one dedicated to Mary and one to St. Joseph, are built of the same wood and gold trim to match the main altar. The E. Hackner Company also built the Communion rail to match the altars. When the Communion rail was removed from the church after the Second Vatican Council, it was used by a local carpenter to build our fourth altar, at which the Mass is offered every Sunday.

kent-exteriorQ: What is the most popular program, initiative, ministry, event or tradition at your parish?

A: Our Fall Bazaar draws people from many miles away. We serve a turkey and ham dinner with all the fixings, and it features games for kids, a country store and a basket auction. Almost all of our parishioners help out with this day, and in preparation by selling raffle tickets, advertising, shopping for the food and supplies and other tasks. We still peel potatoes for the mashed potatoes — the men of the parish gather the day before and peel up to 250 pounds of them. Three of our parishioners spend a good part of a day making the glazed carrots. Our small parish has served between 400 and 500 meals for the last several years. This year’s Fall Bazaar is Sept. 11.

Q: What is an interesting historical fact or anecdote about your parish?

A: On Sept. 24, 1915, a fire broke out in the church and burned the church to the ground. The pastor, Father John A. Schritz, risked his life to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the church. He was restrained by others from going into the building to save other contents. A new church was built of brick at the total cost of $23,729.25; Bishop Joseph F. Busch placed its cornerstone June 18, 1916.

Meet the pastor

Father Joseph Backowski
Father Joseph
Backowski

Father Joseph Backowski grew up in Little Falls and attended Holy Family Parish in Belle Prairie. He was ordained June 2, 2012. He served as parochial vicar for one year in the parishes of St. Michael in St. Cloud and St. Joseph in Waite Park. Father Backowski has been the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and St. Mary of the Presentation Parish in Breckenridge for two years.

Q: What inspired you to become a priest?

A: I was inspired to seek the priesthood because of the joy of my childhood pastor, Father Harold Kost, and also by the order and beauty I discovered in nature that was set in motion by the Eternal Word.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your daily life as a priest?

A: I enjoy being Christ’s presence, no matter what I’m doing, for the people of God — Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

Q: What was the theme of a favorite homily that you preached?

A: From one of my Good Friday homilies: In the word “salvation” we can find the word “salvage.” Salvaging and restoring rusty farm machinery is messy work. We were a mess and Christ restored us. This restoration goes way beyond working parts and a new paint job!

Author: The Visitor

The Visitor is the official newpaper for the Diocese of Saint Cloud.

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