Bishop Thomas Zinkula celebrates Mass on the feast of the Assumption at St. Mary-Davenport Aug. 15. Also pictured are youth altar servers and, from left, Deacon George Strader and concelebrants Father Guillermo Trevino and Father Christopher Young.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — On the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish celebrated the 150th anniversary of its church building.
Bishop Thomas Zinkula joined in the celebration by presiding at Mass in the parish, which is more commonly known as St. Mary’s to English-speaking members and Santa Maria to Spanish speakers. Parish priests in solidum Father Christopher Young and Father Guillermo Trevino concelebrated the Mass; Deacons George Strader and Frank Agnoli also served at the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Zinkula said it seemed fitting to celebrate the feast day there. To honor the multicultural nature of the parish, music and readings alternated between Spanish and English.
After Mass, guests crossed the street to the parish center to enjoy refreshments and look at photo collages and old parish directories. Bishop Zinkula cut a cake decorated with a picture of the church and mingled with parishioners and local Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who assembled to celebrate the parish’s history.
The parish will continue to celebrate the 150th anniversary through 2019, as the first Mass in the church was celebrated two years after construction began. Rotating photo collages will be displayed in the church during this time.
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