ST

ST. THOMAS

THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

MISSION STATEMENT

BLESSED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY OF ST. THOMAS, THE APOSTLE STRIVES TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO KNOW, LOVE, AND SERVE GOD, TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER IN THE PARISH AND TO BECOME THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD BY LIVING THE GOSPEL.

history

One of the greatest achievements of the Second Vatican Council was the re-discovery of the Church as a "pilgrim", as a "people on the move".Like Abraham of old, the Church is to see itself as a tribe, gathered together by a common faith, seeking common goals. The Church is a pilgrim people, ever ready to discover a new way to express itself, new ways to brotherhood, new ways to the One Lord. It is a Church never satisfied with just a past but always open to take the past with itself into the wonderful unknown of the future.

Fr Anderson Anderson

On October, 1966, shortly after the close of Vatican II,

the word was announced in the local papers that the new parish of St. Thomas was to be formed from a portion of the existing churches of St, John and The Divine Redeemer. The boundary lines of this new parish were extensive: a twelve mile strip between the Ashley River and I-26, beginning at Dorchester Road where I-2crosses, and reaching to the town of Ladson, Although much of the area lay undeveloped, the hope for the future seemed bright.

Here was the opportunity, to implement the new born spirit of Vatican II. So much seemed to point in that direction: The patron St.Thomas the Apostle ("apostle "means" one sent forth") was the only one of the original twelve to travel so far from the Holy City (or so the legend goes).The territory - so much like the biblical "land of promise" where anything could happen. The challenge was to create something unique and to discover new paths. And the pastor, Rev. Ronald P. Anderson, who enjoyed the experience of bring a complete stranger to this new "land of plenty", who brought with him the experience of years in Beaufort (St, Peter's) and the vision of the future needed to set the spark, to start the journey,

The start was humble; the Exchange Club Fairground Building, (on Dorchester Road) with an altar and pews from Old St. Joseph's Church downtown Charleston, there was only one little obstacle. There was no way to heat the Fairground building, and it was a cold November. However, the experience of the first Masses did not discourage the new Pilgrims. And by the date of the first paternal feast day, December 21, a new Fairground building with some heating apparatus had been discovered, (Symbolically, this new-found structure was known as "The Creative Arts Building"), an apt shelter for the children of the New Creation.) A slightly pink and blue Bishop Unterkoefler celebrated the last Eucharist in the cold and then led the Children of Promise (pews, tables, children, cookies and punch) into the warm, the first Passover

From the very first day, the Eucharist was scheduled for different homes on each weekday. (The pastor was more or less ensconced in Paradise Village, whose cells were much too small for a Eucharistic celebration). This not only provided a marvelous way for the pastor to meet his new family, but it was the means through which strong bonds were being woven to form that family. But, of course, a more suitable place of meeting was needed. Thus, the Parish Advisory and Planning Board were formed. Elected by the whole perish, this Board, assisted the pastor in formulating the plans for the new building. The site had already been purchased by the Diocese several years previously; and, although it seemed rather distant for the founding parishioners, it was right in the center of the geographical boundaries. Modest plans for a prefabricated structure gave way to a more engaging project. The Board found itself with an architect, Demetrius C. Lilia, and a final bid of $180,000.00. With a pledged $45,000.00 over a three year period (resulting from a Building Fund campaign), and Bishop Unterkoefler allowed construction to begin.

And, what a place it was to become! When the pilgrims reached their new home in November, 1968, they set foot upon the solid rock of Christ, symbolized by the exquisite natural marble rock which was to be their baptismal font. The peaceful, naturally lighted front chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, with its simple tabernacle and embracing walls, made them feel right at home. The large meeting hall and Sunday Assembly room was dominated by the image of the risen Christ - breaking through death, bringing forth new life. The building's functional intent was obvious; from its multi-purpose cry room reception hall, to its two large classrooms, to its office space, kitchen, and ante-rooms, the entire building just ached to be used.

FR HANLEY

Soon the building bustled with CCD classes, CYO dances, Men's Club meetings (not to mention Sunday night Bingo), ladies' Guild projects and a host of other activities. The pilgrims were out to prove that a permanent house did not mean the end of being” on the go" They might have passed over into the promised land, But there was yet so much unexplored territory to cultivate,

This is but a quick history of the parish in the beginning. It has told only where it came from, where it is going lies in the hands and hearts of each member. St. Thomas Community is not a one man production; not merely the pastor's domain, it is meant to become a vibrant, throbbing, spirit-breathing congregation ever ready to pass over into the new. It is still so much a dream, so much a fantasy. But it has the potential of becoming a strong voice in the wilderness, crying "Make straight the Lord's way - for HE will come again".

The very history of our parish portrays a pilgrim people on the move to still-distant goals. At our founding in 1966, we gathered on Sundays in a building at the present Fairgrounds, and during the week moved from home to home for the celebration of Mass. When we moved north to our present facilities in November 1968, we had already learned that the Church is, above all, a people called together by God to be nourished by our common life and prayer. In our present church, we have striven to be a parish community welcoming those who join us, seeking to form and be formed into a community of care and concerning Christ.

This parish symbolizes all this for us. Through it we can come to know more of the members of our parish community; we can be reminded of our beginnings; we can celebrate our oneness and accept this as a challenge to become even more ONE IN SPIRIT AND IN LOVE. It also reflects for us that we are coming to the end of one era in our parish life. The debt is paid off; the roof is repaired; the altar and its furnishings have been beautified; the pews have been installed; the church building has been enhanced by the faceted-glass windows. There is time now for a new beginning, an opportunity which can bring us even closer together.

We are all members of a Church called St.Thomas the Apostle. What possessed the founders of this parish to name it after him? There are many others Saints, far more eminent in all kinds of ways, that could have been chosen, who had more going for them -- more certainly than one who, though he knew Jesus and saw his miracles, yet doubted his resurrection. If I had to venture an answer to this question, my guess would be this: that St. Thomas the Apostle is very much like most of us. He was chosen in a very special way to be an apostle, a member of Christ’s first team. What a great dignity! Yet that did not change His essential character, that of being a person who was one hard to convince, who was slow to be persuaded -- yet one who, once convinced, could do great things. Once he saw the resurrected Christ he became one of his greatest missionaries, traveling as far as India where, by tradition he did great things for Jesus and died for his faith and love of Jesus. Where’s the resemblance to us? We too have been chosen in a most special way -- called by God to be united with him in Baptism, to receive his life, to become one with Jesus in his Mystical Body, to be his witnesses in the world. We too have been slow to believe despite the many reasons we individually --have for faith. Yet our faith as a parish has grown tremendously since those first days of the parish’s existence. In fact, only a strong, vibrant faith could have accomplished what has been done here. Reading the history of the parish, talking to those who were here all through its growth, one marvels at the problems and difficulties that were endured and finally overcome.