St. Thomas More Catholic
Community has grown since it's start in 1983. The ability to serve
all the needs of our community rests with the willingness and
dedication of all the members to fully participate in the ministries
and organizations within the parish.
By our baptism, we are anointed priests, prophets and kings.
This is lived out in each of our lives by actively worshipping and
showing our love in service for others.
As a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Community, you are
invited to share and grow by active membership. By your active
participation, you receive God's grace and happiness.
YOUR presence enhances all our lives and we hope that you will
share your God-given gifts with the whole community.
In 1983, Saint Thomas More Parish began as "The Mission of Saint
Peter's" church located in downtown Henderson. The first mass was
celebrated by Father Caesar J. Caviglia at Hallmark Pre-School,
located at Sunset Road and Annie Oakley.
In July of 1984, after outgrowing the pre-school, services were held
at Palm Mortuary Chapel. During that same summer, the Viatorian
Fathers agreed to accept pastoral responsibilities of our parish and
sent Father Thomas Long, C.S.V. as pastor. Groundbreaking for the
multi-purpose center was held on July 17, 1988. The first mass on
the present site was celebrated on July 1, 1989. In 1992, Father Jim
Crilly arrived as Associate Pastor.
In July 1993, Father Dan Nolan, C.S.V. was assigned as Pastor.
Father Ken Morris, C.S.V. replaced Father Jim as Associate Pastor in
1994, Father Mike Keliher, C.S.V. joined the staff as an associate
pastor in 1997, and Father Bob Bolser, C.S.V. joined the staff as an
associate pastor in 2000.
Father Dan's first priority was to begin the process for building a
much needed church for a growing community. Groundbreaking for the
present church was held on October 6, 1995 and dedication took place
on September 26, 1996.
In the summer of 1998, construction began on the chapel and
additional office space adjacent to the church. In the spring of
2001, construction began on an addition to the parish hall to be
used as a multipurpose center.
In July 2001 Father Patrick W. Render, C.S.V. was appointed as
pastor.
The Viatorians Teachers of Faith
The Clerics of St. Viator were founded in 1831 near Lyons, France,
by Father Louis Querbes established this order of clergy and lay
people committed to the “teaching of Christian doctrine and service
to the Holy Altar.” Their patron, St. Viator, was lector and teacher
of the church in Lyon during the Forth Century. Father Querbes’
followers worked all over France and established a mission in
Quebec, Canada in 1847. The establishment of the Chicago province
began in Bourbonnais, Illinois in 1865.
As educators of faith involved in building up the Christian
community, Viatorians serve in parish ministry, secondary schools
and colleges, social ministry, and hospital ministry. Presently in
Southern Nevada, Saint Thomas More, Saint Viator, the Guardian Angel
Cathedral, and Bishop Gorman High School are served by the Clerics
of Saint Viator.
