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St. Thomas by-the-Sea Catholic Church of The Archdiocese of Mobile |
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The Parish History
St. Thomas-by-the-Sea Parish grew out of a mission, Good Shepherd Chapel, established in June, 1986 by the late Rev. Anthony Zoghby, Pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf Parish of Gulf Shores. Recognizing the spiritual needs of Orange Beach Catholics, as well as those of the ever-growing number of Catholic visitors to the area, Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb authorized the rental of space in the Gulfview Shopping Center for the Chapel.
It soon became evident that both permanent residents (approximately 75 families at the time) and the many visitors to the area would require a permanent house of worship. Officially established as St. Thomas by the Sea Parish on May 9, 1991, the new faith community came under the guidance of Father Francis V. Cusack as Pastor.
The Parish Center, known as Cusack Hall, was dedicated and blessed by Archbishop Lipscomb on October 1, 1994. The Church property consists of four and one-half acres of land, most of which was donated to the parish. An organ and marble altar were donated by Our Lady of the Gulf Church and pews were the gift of St. Lawrence Parish in Fairhope.
A pastor's residence was completed in September, 1998. Construction on the church started in the summer of 1999 and the Solemn Dedication took place on December 17, 2000. The church seats about 800 people in the nave, and includes a chapel with seating for 100 people, two sacristies, a cry room, ushers' room, and reconciliation room. An enclosed narthex joins the new building to Cusack Hall, with a statue of St. Thomas and Christ as the focal point.
Father Patrick Maher was appointed as Pastor in August, 1998 and served as Pastor until 14 June 2002, when Father Mark I. Neske became Pastor. Deacon Henry Pouliot joined the parish in August 2002, upon Deacon Basoco's departure. Father David Carucci replaced Father Neske in July of 2005. In June of 2006 Monsignor G. Warren Wall became our pastor until he became ill the following June. He was replaced by, Father Jim Dane, who served as our pastor until June, 2020. Our current Pastor is Father Paul Ravi, HGN.
There are presently about 300 families registered as parishioners, and many visitors.
It soon became evident that both permanent residents (approximately 75 families at the time) and the many visitors to the area would require a permanent house of worship. Officially established as St. Thomas by the Sea Parish on May 9, 1991, the new faith community came under the guidance of Father Francis V. Cusack as Pastor.
The Parish Center, known as Cusack Hall, was dedicated and blessed by Archbishop Lipscomb on October 1, 1994. The Church property consists of four and one-half acres of land, most of which was donated to the parish. An organ and marble altar were donated by Our Lady of the Gulf Church and pews were the gift of St. Lawrence Parish in Fairhope.
A pastor's residence was completed in September, 1998. Construction on the church started in the summer of 1999 and the Solemn Dedication took place on December 17, 2000. The church seats about 800 people in the nave, and includes a chapel with seating for 100 people, two sacristies, a cry room, ushers' room, and reconciliation room. An enclosed narthex joins the new building to Cusack Hall, with a statue of St. Thomas and Christ as the focal point.
Father Patrick Maher was appointed as Pastor in August, 1998 and served as Pastor until 14 June 2002, when Father Mark I. Neske became Pastor. Deacon Henry Pouliot joined the parish in August 2002, upon Deacon Basoco's departure. Father David Carucci replaced Father Neske in July of 2005. In June of 2006 Monsignor G. Warren Wall became our pastor until he became ill the following June. He was replaced by, Father Jim Dane, who served as our pastor until June, 2020. Our current Pastor is Father Paul Ravi, HGN.
There are presently about 300 families registered as parishioners, and many visitors.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas
Feast day: July 3, Patron of architects
St. Thomas was a Jew, called to be one of the twelve Apostles. He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities. At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas' unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the title of "doubting Thomas." Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. At this, St. Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed: "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus.
St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred. This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the New Testament. Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost this saint was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, and Persians; he ultimately reached India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas." He capped his left by shedding his blood for his Master, speared to death at a place called Calamine. His feast day is July 3rd and he is the patron of architects.
Feast day: July 3, Patron of architects
St. Thomas was a Jew, called to be one of the twelve Apostles. He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities. At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas' unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the title of "doubting Thomas." Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. At this, St. Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed: "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus.
St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred. This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the New Testament. Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost this saint was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, and Persians; he ultimately reached India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas." He capped his left by shedding his blood for his Master, speared to death at a place called Calamine. His feast day is July 3rd and he is the patron of architects.
Pastor
Father Jim Dane became Pastor of St. Thomas by-the-Sea in June of 2007, replacing Monsignor. G. Warren Wall.
Past Parish Priest
Fathers Francis Cusack, Mark Neske and Patrick Maher, the first three Pastors of Saint Thomas by the Sea.
Photo taken 16 February 2003, on the occasion of a reception in their honor at St. Thomas by the Sea
Father David Carucci began at St. Thomas in July 2005 and served as our pastor until June 2006
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Msgr. G. Warren Wall began at St. Thomas in June 2006 and served as our pastor until June 2007
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Officially established as St. Thomas by -the-Sea Parish on May 9, 1991, the new faith community came under the guidance of Father Francis V. Cusack its first Pastor. Father Cusack became pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Mobile and later became Monsignor Cusack.
Father Patrick Maher was appointed as Pastor in August, 1998 and remained until his semi-retirement when he became pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Coden.
Father Mark I. Neske replaced Father Maher 14 June 2002 and served as Pastor of St. Thomas by-the-Sea until July 2005.
Father David Carucci began at St. Thomas in July 2005 and served as our pastor until June 2006. He then went to St. Bede Church in Montgomery.
Monsignor Wall became ill and was replaced by Father Dane until June of 2020. He was replaced by
Father Paul Ravi.
As parishioners, we have been truly blessed to have had such outstanding priests lead our parish. We are further blessed that this outstanding leadership continues.
Father Patrick Maher was appointed as Pastor in August, 1998 and remained until his semi-retirement when he became pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Coden.
Father Mark I. Neske replaced Father Maher 14 June 2002 and served as Pastor of St. Thomas by-the-Sea until July 2005.
Father David Carucci began at St. Thomas in July 2005 and served as our pastor until June 2006. He then went to St. Bede Church in Montgomery.
Monsignor Wall became ill and was replaced by Father Dane until June of 2020. He was replaced by
Father Paul Ravi.
As parishioners, we have been truly blessed to have had such outstanding priests lead our parish. We are further blessed that this outstanding leadership continues.
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Webmaster: Daniel Sadlis
Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Foley Computer Repair www.techsolutionllc.biz techsolutionllc@gmail.com 251-597-5094 |