Farmington — At St. Gerald Parish in Farmington, “people know each other and support each other,” says parishioner Karla Fischer, who has been a member since the parish was founded in 1964.

“I made all of my sacraments here and my kids did too,” said Fischer, who attended St. Gerald’s May 18 Mass celebrating its 50th anniversary. “We’ve had a lot of good leadership.”

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who presided over the Mass, said in his homily he was grateful to be able to celebrate the anniversary with the parish community.

“Without end, year after year, the sacraments have been celebrated in this parish,” said Archbishop Vigneron. “The sins forgiven in confession; the children and adults baptized … the marriages, the confirmations; of course the Holy Eucharist.”

The archbishop encouraged the faithful to think about “what are you being invited by Jesus to thank his Father for?”

The Mass was concelebrated by St. Gerald’s pastor, Fr. Festus Ejimadu, as well as former pastors Fr. Gerald A. McEnhill and Msgr. Ronald Browne, and was assisted by Deacon Ronald Grenda and Deacon Joseph Urbiel.

At the end of Mass, Fr. Ejimadu recognized the work of St. Gerald Parish over the past 50 years.

“You have put your heart and soul into this parish over the years,” he said, expressing that the parishioners’ “hard work and faith-filled friendliness give each other what is needed to sustain us here.”

A parish picnic for parishioners, friends and neighbors of the Farmington parish followed Mass, to share food and memories of the days gone by.

Lynne Gagner, who joined the parish in 1996, said some of her favorite memories are of the church picnics and “watching my kids grow through the religious education program.”

Kathy Smith, whose family became parishioners in 2004, said “the staff is very humble,” and that as a home-schooling family, “my kids feel welcome here.”

Jerry Weigold has attended the parish with his wife, Kim, and children Jack and Kelli since the late 1990s. He said he converted to Catholicism after the family arrived at St. Gerald.

“What we really like is the welcoming family atmosphere,” said Weigold, adding that Fr. Ejimadu makes it clear that everyone is welcome “no matter what.”

St. Gerald Parish

21300 Farmington Road, Farmington

(248) 477-7470

Pastor: Fr. Festus Ejimadu

Founded: 1964

Founding pastor: Fr. James P. O’Hagan

Families: 703

Parish organizations, outreach: Youth groups, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Divine Mercy prayer group, Knights of Columbus, music ministry and others