Jackson Holy Family celebrates golden anniversary JACKSON — Jessie Tynes joined Holy Family Parish 46 years ago. “I love it,” Tynes said Sunday, Sept. 30, at the 50th anniversary celebration of the parish. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Dr. Andrew Taylor, who is active in the choir, men’s club and the parish’s Boy Scout Troop, said his fellow parishioners are easy to work with. “Holy Family is a nice, personal parish with a lot of good people. People here are active and my family and I enjoy being here.”
Anthony Jones and his family returned to Holy Family in Northwest Jackson after a long stay at its sister parish, St. Richard, where his two sons also attended elementary school. “We liked St. Richard very much, it was fine, but this is where I grew up, this is home.”
Holy Family parishioners, clergy and guests kicked off the weekend celebration, Sept. 28-30, with a banquet and dance Friday night, a family fun day on Saturday, and the Liturgy on Sunday. The weekend celebration was dedicated to the founding pastor, Msgr. Michael Glynn, who was too ill to attend.
Retired Bishop William Houck was principal celebrant. Bishop Joseph Latino was unable to attend due to a conflict in his schedule. Father O’Brien read Bishop Latinos letter of congratulations to the parish.
Concelebrants were Fathers Michael O’Brien, pastor, Elvin Sunds, vicar general, and Daniel Gallagher.
In his homily, Bishop Houck said Sunday’s readings from Amos, Timothy and Luke put the day’s celebration into context.
“The Scriptures warn us, tell us that those who care only for themselves are in trouble. That is not Jesus’ way. That is not God’s way. Jesus tells us we are here to love one another.
“We must relish and build our faith community. On a day like today we are grateful for all the blessings and all the people who came before us,” he said.
“Pope John Paul II once told a gathering of youth it was not enough to celebrate Christ in their lives, they had to bring it to others — they must go and mission in the world.”
Franciscan Sister Eileen Hauswald, pastoral associate for three years, said all the weekend activities helped the parish community to forge a closer bond with each other.
“Everything was well-planned and the committees worked well with each other. The whole weekend was wonderful.”
She said the parish consisted of joyful people with well-planned liturgies and strong, active councils and committees.
“This is a welcoming parish with committed, talented people,” Sister Hauswald said.
