St. Thomas the Apostle Parish at 1449 Wilcox Park Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 US - The New Millineum

2000 Paulist priest, Fr. Michael Martin,and our own parishioner, Ad Bertram, led the community on a five-day Parish Mission. Using the Millennium theme: Open Wide the Doors to Christ, parishioners of all ages were invited to participate. Fr. Mike and Ad extended an invitation at all the weekend liturgies. On Sunday, the community was invited to renew their baptismal promise by making the ritual action/response of walking through the doorway and blessing themselves with holy water. Monday's theme focused on the Word of God. Those gathered were invited to reverence the Sacred Scriptures as an action/response. On Tuesday night the Children's Choir, Junior High & Senior High students led the community in song and action/response. A Mass was celebrated on Ash Wednesday and Thursday. Yet another St. Thomas son begins God's work as Jon David Vander Ploeg, son of Stephen and Mary Vander Ploeg is ordained a deacon on May 27. Reverend Mister Vander Ploeg continues his studies for the Companions of Christ Community. 2001 After many discussions and consultation with parishioners, the Pastoral Council moves to continue to tithe 5%. In the 2000-2001 budget year Esperanca will receive the same amount it received in the previous year. Any money collected after that 1999-2000 year amount will be used by our parish Christian Service Outreach Ministries efforts. In June, the Finance Council decides to move ahead with air-conditioning the church. The new system should be ready to use by May 2001. The Fireside Room in the rectory undergoes renovation under the artistic direction of Erin Needham. September 11, 2001 changed the path of our nation. An impromptu prayer service was held in church. School students collected money and sent it to the children in Afghanistan and children affected by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. Let us Seek Shalom. Let us Live Shalom. Let us Be Shalom. The Liturgy Commission prayerfully led the community through a thought provoking advent focusing on the meaning of Shalom. 2002 Rabbi David Krishef from the congregation of Ahavas Israel addresses our congregation on Jewish-Catholic relations. The community sponsors an ongoing dialogue (3 months and six months after)on Just-War Theory and the aftermath of September 11th. Saint Thomas to The Liturgy Commission leads the community in prayer. Utilizing the Cycle A readings we journey into Lent. Handouts focussing on the 7 deadly sins and the acompanying virtues are distributed to parishioners at each Sunday liturgy. This is the story of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. Over the years we have seen the growth, spiritual and physical, of a faith community. Looking forward, we rejoice in the continuing fulfillment of the dreams of our founders, those people of simple faith, whose lives remain forever linked with ours. May we continue to grow in Jesus Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit, provide a spiritual home for God's family while nurturing one another through the Sacraments and our shared faith.

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