A Tribute of Gratitude In Honor of the 50th Priestly Anniversary of Archbishop Thomas Wenski
As the Archdiocese of Miami and the wider Church give thanks to Almighty God for the 50th Anniversary of Priesthood of Thomas Wenski, we at St. Agnes Parish join with profound gratitude in honoring a shepherd whose priestly life has been marked by fidelity, courage, pastoral charity, and unwavering service to the People of God.
For five decades, Archbishop Wenski has poured out his life in generous service to Christ and His Church, preaching the Gospel with clarity, defending the dignity of every human person, shepherding souls with fatherly care, and leading the faithful with wisdom, humility, and conviction.
Among the many blessings of his priesthood that our parish has personally experienced, one stands out in a singular and unforgettable way: his unconditional support for the building of our new church temple and the trust he placed in our community throughout that monumental undertaking.
The construction of the new St. Agnes Church was not simply a building project; it was the realization of a dream long carried in the hearts of enerations of parishioners. A dream that took more than seventy years, over 134 weekly planning meetings, immense sacrifice from countless faithful, and perseverance through the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, supply shortages, and construction delays.
Yet through every obstacle, Archbishop Wenski stood beside us.
He trusted the vision.
He believed in the mission.
He encouraged the effort.
And he gave this community the confidence to move forward in faith.
On September 15, 2023, Archbishop Wenski presided over the solemn dedication and consecration of our new church, a sacred and historic moment forever etched into the life of our parish.
That evening, through his hands and with paternal joy, our church and altar were consecrated to Almighty God. Through the sacred chrism, these walls were set apart forever for divine worship. Through his prayer, our temple became holy ground.
His presence that day represented far more than ceremonial leadership; it reflected the loving support of a spiritual father who believed in his people and walked with them in faith.
Our parish will remain forever grateful that one of the defining chapters in our history bears the mark of Archbishop Wenski’s fatherly guidance, encouragement, and trust.
Because of his confidence in this community:
Our parish now has a beautiful and worthy temple for divine worship.
Future generations will encounter Christ in a sacred space built for His glory.
Countless souls will be baptized, married, absolved, nourished, and ultimately commended to God within walls he consecrated.
As we celebrate this golden jubilee of priesthood, we thank God not only for what Archbishop Wenski has meant to the Archdiocese of Miami as a whole, but also for what he has personally meant to us here at St. Agnes.
Your Excellency,
Thank you for your priesthood.
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for your fatherly support.
Thank you for believing in our parish and helping make possible what many once believed impossible.
Be assured of our continued prayers that the Lord, who began this good work in you fifty years ago, may bring it to fulfillment, and that Our Lady, Mother of Priests, may continue to watch over you and intercede for you always.
Ad Multos Annos, Archbishop Wenski.
With gratitude and affection in Christ,
Fr. jc
