The History of Saint Thecla Catholic School & Parish
The formation of our wonderful school and parish is the result of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our priests, religious sisters, and lay parishioners who formed a community of God that has prayed, worked, and celebrated together for over seventy years. Our Catholic Christian community continues to share the riches and life lessons of God’s Holy Word, the Holy Gospels of Jesus, the Holy Mass, the seven sacraments, the Catholic virtues, and the values of love and goodness that lie in each of us.
Can you imagine looking at the corner of 16 Mile Road and Groesbeck and seeing nothing but farms and fields? On June 27, 1952, Saint Thecla Catholic Parish was established with Fr. Thaddeus Rzeznik as our first Pastor who was appointed by Archbishop Edward Cardinal Mooney. Fr. Rzeznik named our parish Thecla after his precious mother. The Allecia Family generously offered the use of their Spaghetti Hall on Gratiot for our Holy Masses. Our first Holy Mass was held there on June 27, 1952.
United as a community of God, Saint Thecla Catholic Church formed the reputation of working together to meet the needs of a growing parish. Construction began on October 12, 1952, for our Church. This building now serves as our Activities Center named after our longtime pastor of twenty years—Fr. Mario DiGiulio. Construction of our present Church began in 1963. St. Thecla Catholic Church was blessed and continues to be blessed with the leadership of talented and dedicated pastors: Fr. Rzeznick, Fr. Kerry, Fr. Partensky, Fr. DiGiulio, Fr. Bonnici, Fr. Smetanka, Fr. Charles, Fr. Bignall, Fr. Cokonougher, and currently Fr. Roelant.
Construction of our wonderful school began on January 22, 1959, with additions made in 1961 and 1966. St. Thecla Catholic Parish has always cared for the children of the school by supporting Catholic education. Since the opening of the school in 1960, the dedicated pastors, associate pastors, deacons, music ministers, pastoral ministers, sisters of the Felician Order, lay teachers, school staffs, parish staffs, and parents have worked together tirelessly to make St. Thecla Catholic School a learning institution where students receive an excellent Catholic education. In addition, they are nurtured in their Catholic faith by a Christ-based curriculum that includes weekly Holy Mass, daily prayer, religion classes, sacramental preparation, Reconciliation opportunities, and charity projects based on the Works of Mercy.
On the first Sunday of August 1960, Fr. Rzeznick announced at the Holy Mass that the Felician Sisters of Livonia had accepted his invitation to staff our school. The dedicated and selfless Felician Sisters opened the school doors in 1960 with the promise that they would serve our school and parish until they were unable to send any more sisters. They kept their promise. Principals Sr. Mary Bernadette, Sr. Mary Ursula, Sr. Mary Andrea, Sr. Mary DeChantel, Sr. Mary Margaret, Sr. Mary Joan Marie, Sr. Mary Annette, Sr. Mary Alice Ann, Sr. Mary Nora, and Sr. Mary Kathleen along with all of the sisters who taught at our school worked tirelessly to instill in our students the virtues and values of their Catholic faith. They, along with all of the teachers and staffs, established and maintained a Catholic school with a reputation for the highest academic standards.
Under the Building Our Future fund-raising program, a major construction project was begun, and in the year 1996, the new Gathering Space, offices, meeting room, media center [dedicated to Monsignor Gary Smetanka], gym, and stage were dedicated. Many people have served our school and parish by being involved with Christian Formation, Parish Council, Stewardship, Worship, Christian Service, Education, Home & School, School Committee, Sports, and all the other important groups in which our parish and school participate.
The Light of Christ shines brightly at Saint Thecla Catholic School and Parish. Our school family and parish live the message of our School Mission Statement: We, the community of Saint Thecla Catholic School, dedicate ourselves to serving God, through our growth in faith, education, and love for one another as members of God’s family.