It all began in October 1950 with only 248 families. 75 years later and Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Ann Arbor has almost 3000 families entrusted to its care as well as a flourishing K to 8 school. Happy anniversary Saint Francis. Ad multos annos!
"The raison d'etre of this parish and any other parish is to offer a place for the people of God to gather to give glory to God, that's our primary purpose," says parish pastor, Father James Conlon, "When we fail to do that, we're no longer a parish. We are a humanitarian organization, and that's not what what we were established for."
Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing offered a Mass of Thanksgiving, October 18, for all the blessings of the past 75 years. Watch this short film capturing some of the sights and sounds of the occasion as Father Conlon prayerfully reflects upon the past, present, and future of the parish.