St Mary, Sleepy Eye to celebrate 125 years of parish life

St. Mary parish, Sleepy Eye, MN, (1886-2001) is celebrating 125 years of parish life in 2001.

To commemorate this event, activities are planned for August 3, 4, and 5 that will remember and celebrate this occasion. The dates for the celebration are planned around the annual summer parish festival to be held August 5, 2001.

There will be an All Parish Mass at 5:30 p.m. All former priests and sisters who served and taught at St. Mary’s have been invited back to join in the celebration. In addition, all New Ulm diocesan priests, retired Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, Diocesan Administrator, Father John G. Berger, and Bishop John McRaith of Owensboro, KY, have been invited to join in this special Mass.

Following the Mass, a parish luncheon and program is planned at the Orchid Inn, Sleepy Eye. All priests and sisters are invited to attend as honored guests. Advanced tickets for the luncheon and parish program will be available May 1. Everyone attending will receive a keepsake picture plaque of St. Mary church.

There will be a Mass at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary Cemetery. This Mass is in honor of and a tribute to all parish members buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery. All deceased servicemen of the parish will be honored with a special flag raising by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard.

Following the Mass, special KC donuts and beverages will be served in the school cafeteria.

Also on Saturday, Open House Tours are planned from 1-5:00 p.m. for all parish buildings, including the church, school, adoration chapel, and education center. Many changes and improvements have taken place in these buildings in recent years.

The interior of the church is presently being renovated to include restoration of the wood floor, church pews, and carpet in the aisles. The most recent improvement to the school is the addition of a Field house. Over the years, the school buildings have been well maintained along with many other improvements.

At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, there will be an All School/Reunion Mass. This special Mass will celebrate St. Mary’s schools and Catholic education. All present and former teachers, students and alumni are encouraged and invited to attend this liturgy in celebration of all that St. Mary’s schools has done for St Mary parish.

The day will begin with a Latin sung Mass at 9:00 a.m. St. Mary’s Caecelian Choir is planning a special Latin sung Mass to share the music of the church from the past.

Following Mass the public is invited to join in the annual parish festival for the remainder of the day.

A committee is working on a parish picture directory and history book of St. Mary’s parish and schools. A parish float is also being built to include a replica of St. Mary church. This float will be in several area parades.

St. Mary’s parish invites everyone to join them for their parish 125th Anniversary celebration. Plan to attend the celebration events along with the summer parish festival in August.

For questions or further information contact St. Mary rectory, (507) 794-4171, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.