Florida Catholic | St. Anthony Parish Celebrates 25

St. Anthony Parish celebrates 25 years of faith and community

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.05.07

LAKELAND | Praise will fill the air when the choirs of neighboring churches join the voices of those from St. Anthony Parish in Lakeland at its 25th-anniversary Mass at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10.

"The excitement is palpable — excitement because Bishop Thomas Wenski and so many former priests of the parish are coming," said parishioner Jessica Pote.

St. Anthony Catholic Church, begun as a mission of St. Joseph Catholic Church in central Lakeland, is now a thriving parish of 2,000 families with an elementary school for prekindergarten through eighth-grade students.

"We look forward to celebrating with old and new friends on this special occasion," explained Father Nicholas J. O’Brien, pastor. "We are reaching out to members of the other churches in Lakeland where some of the founding parishioners still worship."

Also, in honor of the anniversary, the parish offers "first Friday" of the month fish-fry dinners. More than 300 people from throughout the community attend these candlelit suppers of fried fish and shrimp, hush puppies, side dishes and dessert, accompanied by a variety of entertainment.

Pote had never eaten hush puppies until she cooked them for the parish dinners. "Someone handed me a box and said, 'This needs to turn into batter and you need to fry it.' And now everybody — including me — loves them," she said.

Maintaining a warm and familial atmosphere is Father O’Brien’s priority. He visits every table, welcoming the public and neighbors from the community.

The school will host a "Living in the Light" charity gala Nov. 9 that includes a seven-course dinner, live music and silent auction.

"This first-ever fundraising event honors our founding parishioners and the many active school and parish members who follow our values of 'Faith — Family — Tradition' at this landmark 25th-anniversary year," Father O’Brien said. "We believe that 'Living in the Light' of Christ is our mission as a church family."

For more information regarding any of these events, contact Gwen Hall at 863-858-8047 or ghall@stanthonyparish.com.

Return to Diocese of Orlando Front Page

St. Anthony Parish celebrates 25 years of faith and community

Other Stories