Concert kicks off parish anniversary celebration

Friday, Oct. 21, 2016

LOGAN — Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church rang with joy on Oct. 14 as 175 people in three choirs and an orchestra presented a concert to celebrate the parish’s diamond anniversary.

The parish, which serves all of Cache and Rich counties, has roots stretching back to 1871, when Father Patrick J. Dowling was appointed pastor of the “District of Corinne and all of the northern region of Utah,” according to Salt of the Earth by Bernice Maher Mooney. The parish itself was established in 1941 by the Most Rev. Duane G. Hunt, fifth bishop of Salt Lake, and originally was run by Dominicans. The first pastor was Dominican Father Joseph Valine, who later became known as the “donut priest” because he sold the sweets to support his ministry. The church building at 45 East 500 North in Logan was dedicated on Dec. 8, 1941.

The parish moved to its current location, 725 South 250 East, Hyde Park, in 2006.

In recent years, the Utah State University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Singers have used the church to present an annual fall concert, which is open to the community. This year, the orchestra’s director, Dr. Sergio Bernal, “approached us and said, ‘I want to dedicate this concert to the anniversary,’” said Randy Jensen, president of the parish council and chairman of the anniversary committee.

Bernal, who is also a St. Thomas Aquinas parishioner, expanded the concert performers to include the parish’s English and Spanish choirs and young violinists from the parish and El Sistema Utah.

“The overall concept of the program is that of bringing people together through music. That’s why we have people from different institutions and different walks of life performing together,” said Bernal, who adapted the concert final, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” to be sung in both English and Spanish. “Many of the church choir members that will be singing are native Spanish speakers.” 

Bernal chose the six pieces to be performed at the concert to reflect the themes of joy, celebration and spiritual communion, he said; the pieces included “Salut d’Amour” by Sir Edward Elgar, “Panis Angelicus” by Franck and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

The parish will continue to celebrate the anniversary with monthly fellowship potluck dinners, which will be open to the community. The first will be on Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and also the anniversary of the parish’s dedication. 

“We are trying to do some things that are inclusive of the entire community, and not just the parish,” said Jensen, adding that invitations will go out to religious and civic organizations through Cache Community Connections,.

Two days before the anniversary Mass, on Dec.  6, the “Winter Songs” concert will be presented by the USU Chamber Singers under the direction of Cory Evans.

The parish also is planning a large anniversary celebration on April 28, when former pastors and religious who have served in the parish, as well as former parishioners, will be invited to join the entire community for a Mass and reception.

The following day, April 29, the Saint Jerome Newman Center, which is affiliated with the parish, will host an open house and alumni reunion.

Father Fernando Velasco, pastor, said the concert was a good way to begin the anniversary celebration because “through music we got people from the community, not only the parish members.”