From Barren Desert to Thriving Parish, St. Thomas More Parish Celebrates 25 Years
8/22/2011

St. Thomas More Parish in Henderson, NV kicked off a yearlong celebration of its 25th anniversary over the weekend. Parishioners already are reflecting on their humble beginnings when they met to worship in the Palm Mortuary.

It wasn’t until the Viatorians sent Fr. Tom Long, CSV, to serve as pastor that they established themselves as parish, in 1986.

Viatorians continue to staff the church, including Fr. Pat  Render, CSV, pastor, and associates Fr. Bob Bolser, CSV and Fr. Michael Keliher, CSV, as well as Viatorian associates Ken Rosania, pastoral assistant, and Juliann Dwyer, religious education director.

What started with roughly 125 registered families in suburban Las Vegas, has grown to more than 6,000 families as of August.

“Our parish, over the last 25 years, has been involved with those ‘held of least importance’ in the eyes of the world,” wrote Fr. Bolser in last week’s bulletin, “as we have reached out to the poor and disenfranchised.”

At the same time, he adds, the signs of growth and new life surround them, from the first community center they built back in 1988 to their new church in 1996.

“Our liturgies celebrate life in its fullness and all of its wonder,” Fr. Bolser adds. “We have spent 25 years of joyfully celebrating life as a true gift of God.”