Clifford — As the church bells rang from atop the bell tower to signal the beginning of Mass, St. Patrick Chapel marked another monumental moment in their already decorated history by celebrating 125 years of existence on June 5.
“The Catholic faith has been passed for 2,000 years and the baton was passed to Clifford 125 years ago,” said Fr. Richard Treml, who as pastor of the North Branch cluster oversees St. Patrick Chapel. “And they’re still maintaining it.”
The close-knit chapel held several guests and the 35 families who worship regularly at the chapel — which until three years ago was considered a mission.
Archbishop Allen Vigneron spoke during his homily of the “special responsibility” St. Patrick’s held in the Catholic community.
“Today, particularly here at St. Patrick’s, this hour in history, our work is to thank God for the graces, the gifts,” he said, “that over 125 years, He has bestowed on all the people in this community. That’s our duty.”
Fr. Treml, who has been the pastor of the mission-turned-chapel over the past nine years, spoke about St. Patrick’s importance within the Catholic community.
“Although we’re a small little chapel, we’re important in the Archdiocese of Detroit,” he said. “Every church and every people is important as the Body of Christ, so I thought it sent a message that we are a part of the Body of Christ and a Church in Detroit.”
After Mass, members of the community spoke with Archbishop Vigneron and continued their celebration behind the church at the Gleason Center and in the basement where food and refreshments were available.
One of the longest standing parishioners, Stanley Pachla, 92, has been coming to St. Patrick’s for over 60 years and explained how the church is more like a home rather than just a place of worship.
“I’m 92 and 60 years (of being a part of St. Patrick’s). Yeah, this has been like home,” Pachla said. “Actually, the church has been part of our lives. We’ve been more than members of the church. Everyone’s very, very active. This is more than a Church. It’s a way of life.
“Us being part of the church makes this a part of our religion. Most churches you go in, you sit down, you walk out, but we don’t,” he explained. “At a big church you’re just a little speck, but up here every person is very important.”
St. Patrick’s oldest parishioner, Rose Cabic, 93, hopes she can complete the majority of her sacraments at the place she has called home for 83 years.
“I started coming here when I was 10 years old,” she said. “Being that we’re here all the time, it’s just another thing, but it’s really nice. I hope I can be buried from this church, then I’ll have made all my sacraments here, except baptism.”
Built in 1886, St. Patrick’s holds a special place in the Clifford community and was the beginning of the Catholic faith in lower-Lapeer County.
