The Paradise Family

Bill and Bernie Paradise, parishioners since 1972, have stayed at STA all these years because they believe that the parish provides a "total community" and not just a place to go to church on Sunday. With a mixed race family, they have always been interested in diversity and feel that the parish provides a welcome atmosphere. They have three children, including Angela Williams, who is a current parishioner and has two children at the school, Aaron and Devyn. As an adult, Angela has returned to STA because of its "open and flexible" environment. While attending school at STA, Angela participated in CYO sports and had speech with Mrs. Chapman. One of her favorite events was going to Camp Tecumseh, a spiritual retreat which she describes as "an integration of the school experience with the church and sacraments experience".

Space does not permit the long list of activities in which the Paradise's have participated. To highlight but a few: Bernie: school principal from 1987-1999, Eucharistic Minister and member of the Gospel Choir. Bill: Parish Council, CYO Coach, Diversity Committee, and previous campaign fundraising coordinator.

The Paradises have been in the same faith sharing group for 30 years. "It is like our extended family," Bernie says.  Angela recalls growing up with the children of the members of the group, including the Kobets' and Smiths' families. The faith sharing group is still active today, meeting regularly and getting the extended families together every year at Christmas time for a reunion.

The Paradise family embodies the spirit of STA. We certainly hope that they will be in the parish for generations to come.

The Shank Family

Steve and Joanie Shank came to St. Thomas in 1971, left in 1978, came back in '80, left in '90 and came back in 2001. Why did they keep coming back? "The people in the parish are our family," they said. They chose STA because of the "less traditional and more modern" liturgies, guitar masses, a more non-traditional hymnal and liturgical dances. "The focus is on the community," said Steve, citing prayer intentions as an example. Joanie agrees and adds that the diversity of the people and attention to social issues are what makes STA unique.

The Shanks sit in Section #2 and are in the habit of arriving to mass on time. Unlike some, they have had no trouble adjusting to Father Schwab's change to the practice of starting on time.

The Shanks had three sons who attended STA school for a period of time. The oldest, Steve, has returned to the parish with his wife, Kristine, and their two sons, Sam (5th grade) and Max (4th grade) who also attend STA school.