St. Mary/St. John mark 50th in Batesville BATESVILLE — “Congratulations on the feast day of your parish,” said Bishop Joseph Latino in his homily during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Church on Sunday, Aug. 15.
Parishioners of St. Mary and Sardis St. John the Baptist Mission and guests filled the pews of the medium-sized church for Mass, which was followed with a reception marking the 50th anniversary of the parish, established in 1960.
Bishop Latino was principal celebrant of the Mass and Father Sam Messina, pastor, concelebrated.
“The celebration of the 50th anniversary of your parish may seem young to some people, but you are celebrating an ancient faith,” he said.
“Today as we celebrate the anniversary of your parish, we are also celebrating the Assumption, the great feast of our Blessed Lady,” Bishop Latino said, “proclaimed in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, 10 years before the beginning of this parish.
“Rejoice in the patronage of Mary for your parish,” he said after explaining Mary’s importance to the Catholic faith and the circumstances surrounding the establishment of her feast day.
Located at 120 Highway 35 North, the church campus consists of the church building, rectory, religious education building and Bryan Parish Hall.
As visitors approach the church along a long driveway, they are greeted by a statue of Mary, draped in a large rosary, with outstretched arms.
“The best way to describe the people here at St. Mary is hospitable,” said Father Messina. He is 72 and has been pastor eight years.
“They are very friendly. Every priest who was pastor here has said that about the parishioners. And they are,” he said.
One of those parishioners is Gaines Smith, 84, who helped lay the cornerstone of the church with three other men in 1964.
“The only other one of us still here is Jacob McBride, who lives in a nursing home,” said Smith. “He is a very faithful person.
“Back when we laid the cornerstone only the rectory was here,” he said. “All of the rest of this land was just pasture. I am so glad to be here today.”
