The following story appeared in the November 19 Idaho Catholic Register.
St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orofino was dedicated on December 5, 1985. The parish’s 35th anniversary was delayed until this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An anniversary celebration is scheduled at noon on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Photo courtesy of Jo Moore)
By Jo Moore
for the Idaho Catholic Register
OROFINO – It was on December 5, 1985 that the new edifice of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orofino was dedicated.
On Sunday, December 5, 2021, the parish will celebrate its 35th anniversary, one year late, due to the interruption of COVID in 2020 for all celebratory occasions. An upside to it being one year late is that this year’s celebration will fall on December 5, the precise anniversary.
The parish is celebrating with a dinner following the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass. Those attending the dinner will be shown a DVD about the construction on the new church from June 1, 1985, to its completion later the same year as well as improvements made since then.
An active Building and Publicity Committee were proud to be able to complete, furnish, and pay its debt in record time, due to several fundraisers by the enthusiastic group.
Ten years later, in 1995, the unfinished basement was transformed into the Little Flower Room, thanks to a large bequest by the Mike McCarthy family in honor of Mike’s parents.
This large room with a professional kitchen and seating for about 200, has been offered to the entire Clearwater Valley community throughout these 25 years for many public events, including use by the local hospital for its events and forums, funeral dinners for all faiths, community meetings, and the large receptions held after the spring and Christmas cantatas.
St. Theresa’s Parish has been an active part of the Orofino community under the leadership of former pas-tors, Father Mike Spegele, Father George King, Father Sipho Mathabela and now Father Bruno Mbamobi.
The parish gives back to the community with its food bank, use of its facilities for public needs and other social outreach.
Parishioners and other supporters of St. Theresa’s are invited to attend the celebratory dinner in the Little Flower Room on Sunday, Dec. 5.
The main entree for the dinner will be provided and served by the Women of St. Theresa’s and the Knights of Columbus. Parishioner attendees are asked to bring an assigned side dish.
For more information, call 208-476-7570.
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