About St. Thomas Aquinas · Hyde Park, Utah
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is a bilingual Catholic community in Hyde Park, Utah, serving Catholics in Cache Valley since the early 20th century. The parish describes itself as a Catholic community striving to minister to all while proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the Eucharist. Today the parish worships at a church and parish center dedicated on June 24, 2006 on land donated by an anonymous benefactor in Hyde Park, after decades spent at St. Jerome's Chapel near Utah State University. Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, and a full program of faith formation for children and adults, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and outreach to the homebound animates parish life under the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
- Established
- 1941 (first Mass December 8, 1941; church dedicated May 17, 1942)
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Dominican, Doctor of the Church, the Angelic Doctor)
- Rector
- Father Anthony Shumway
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salt Lake City
Why belong here
St. Thomas Aquinas offers a welcoming, bilingual Catholic home in Cache Valley with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish every weekend and on weekdays. The parish pairs vibrant liturgical life — daily Mass, weekly Adoration, Reconciliation, and a robust Music and Hospitality Ministry — with formation for every stage: a two-year Sacramental program for children 2nd–12th grade, an OCIA process for adults and youth seeking full communion, and on-going adult Confirmation preparation. An active Homebound Ministry brings Holy Communion to the sick and Catholics in local care facilities, and the parish extends a particular welcome to newcomers and the Spanish-speaking community in Cache Valley.
Mass times at St. Thomas Aquinas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm
- Saturday 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm
- Or by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- First Friday 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
About St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is a bilingual Catholic community in Hyde Park, Utah, in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. The parish describes its mission as striving to minister to all while proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the Eucharist and its presence in our lives. Its weekend and weekday schedule offers Mass in both English and Spanish, alongside Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, formation for every age, and a Homebound Ministry reaching Catholics in local care facilities. Located in Cache Valley, the parish welcomes newcomers with a warm greeting and an open invitation to register.
- Mission: 'a Catholic Community striving to minister to all while proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the Eucharist.'
- Location: 725 South 250 East, Hyde Park, Utah 84318
- Diocese of Salt Lake City
- Bilingual (English / Spanish) at Mass, formation, OCIA, and outreach
Church History
Catholics have been present in Cache Valley since at least 1872, and St. Thomas Aquinas today is the fruit of more than a century of that community's life. The first formal Mass was offered in 1918, the parish was officially established in 1941, and after decades of growth the community built its current church and parish center in Hyde Park in 2006.
- 1872 — first Catholic presence in Cache Valley
- September 19, 1918 — first Mass celebrated by Fr. Thomas N. Stanton
- December 8, 1941 — first Logan parish Mass by Dominican Fathers Joseph Valine and Colin McEachen (the day after Pearl Harbor)
- May 17, 1942 — dedication of the first St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 45 East 500 North, Logan
- Ca. 1947 — Fr. Jerome Stoffel arrives; shepherds the parish for 30 years
- Mid-1950s — diocese acquires former fraternity near Utah State University; becomes Newman Center and St. Jerome's Chapel
- 1962 — old Logan church sold; parish worships at St. Jerome's Chapel for next 44 years
- 1977 — Fr. Bob Bussen becomes pastor; first to propose a new church
- 1984 — Fr. Bussen returns from Bolivia sabbatical; begins celebrating Mass in English and Spanish
- 1986–1995 — Fr. Colin Bircumshaw, Fr. David Van Massenhove, Fr. Francis W. Voellmecke serve the parish
- 1990s — Spanish-speaking priests Fr. Francisco Gomez, Fr. Jesus Montoya, Fr. Fernando Cristancho arrive
- 1995 — Fr. Clarence Sandoval and Fr. Francisco Pires arrive; Sandoval begins celebrating bilingual Masses
- 1999 — Fr. Pires departs (later returns as pastor)
- Fall 2000 — designs for a new church begin
- June 24, 2006 — new Hyde Park church and parish center dedicated; Newman Center renamed St. Jerome Catholic Newman Center
- After 2006 — Deacon Jim Miller arrives; Fr. Francisco Pires returns as pastor (summer 2011); Sr. Marilyn Mark returns late 2012
Patron Saint: St. Thomas Aquinas — 750th Jubilee
The patron of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), the Dominican Doctor of the Church known as the Angelic Doctor. The years 2023, 2024, and 2025 together form a '750th Jubilee' marking the birth, death, and canonization of the saint. The parish has used these jubilee years to honor him publicly and privately, including sharing resources to obtain a plenary indulgence through his intercession.
- Born 1225, died 1274, canonized 1323
- Dominican, Doctor of the Church, 'Angelic Doctor'
- Plenary indulgence available through his intercession
- Feast day: January 28
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Thomas Aquinas is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar who also serves as chaplain to the St. Jerome Newman Center, and a permanent deacon, supported by an office team and a network of coordinators for religious education, OCIA, finance, and music.
- Father Anthony Shumway — Pastor (ext. 102; [email protected])
- Father Oscar Martin Picos — Parochial Vicar; Chaplain of St. Jerome Newman Center
- Deacon Jim Miller — Permanent Deacon of St. Thomas Aquinas
- Mary Garrett — Office Administrator (ext. 101)
- Nicole Held — Assistant Religious Education Director (ext. 109)
- Linda Diaz — Religious Education Coordinator ([email protected]; ext. 106)
- Jamie Morley — OCIA Coordinator (505-463-0591)
- Mariana Lopez — Spanish OCIA Coordinator
- Anna Reyes — OCIA Coordinator
- Denise Martinez Ayala — Finance Administrator
- Noe Ceron — Office Assistant
Liturgy & Prayer Ministries
Several lay ministries serve the Mass and bring Communion to those who cannot attend. The Altar Servers, Hospitality, Lector, and Music ministries assist during the sacred liturgy, while a bilingual team of Eucharistic Ministers brings Holy Communion to the homebound and Catholics in local care facilities.
- Music Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Hospitality Ministry
- Lector Ministry
- Eucharistic Ministry (English) — Nate Morley, 505-710-1124
- Eucharistic Ministry (Spanish) — Luz Medina, 435-232-7874
- English Homebound Ministry — St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Office, 435-752-1478
- Spanish Homebound Ministry
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation for children and youth runs through a coordinated Religious Education program and a dedicated two-year Sacramental preparation track. The parish uses bilingual, diocesan-approved curricula from RCL Benziger and expects all students to bring a New American Bible Revised Edition to class.
- Two-year Sacramental Classes for children grades 2–12
- Classes held on rotating Sundays, fall through spring, for two years
- Mandatory parent meetings and scheduled retreats
- Bilingual curriculum: 'Reconciliación y Eucaristía' (grades 2–5) and 'Faith Fusion / Fusión en la Fe' (grades 6–12)
- New American Bible Revised Edition required
- Confirmation preparation for grades 7–12 (2 years)
- Confirmation readiness includes: regular Mass attendance, prior sacraments, religious symbols in the home, family prayer, retreat participation, basic Catholic prayer knowledge, and a sincere desire to be confirmed
- Confirmation requirements include Mass journal, Saint Name report, Sponsor Form, and 30 hours of community service
- Adult Confirmation preparation classes run Jan–Apr, twice per month
- Registration in person at the end of July each year
Becoming Catholic — OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Adults and older children seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church enter the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish offers distinct tracks for English-speaking adults (18+), Spanish-speaking adults, and youth aged about 7–17, walking inquirers through the classical four stages of the process.
- English OCIA for adults 18+: typically twice per month on Sunday evenings; may join at any time
- Youth OCIA for ages ~7–17: Sunday mornings, September through Easter
- Spanish OCIA coordinated separately
- Inquiry sessions Monday evenings at 6:00 pm in classroom S-4
- Stages: Precatechumenate (Inquiry) → Catechumenate → Purification & Enlightenment (Lent) → Mystagogy
- Liturgical rites include Order of Entrance, Order of Election, scrutinies during Lent, and initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Baptized Christians seeking full communion may have a shorter, individualized path
- OCIA Coordinator: Jamie Morley (505-463-0591)
Marriage, Funerals & Pastoral Care
The pastor and parochial vicar accompany parishioners through the major moments of life: marriage preparation, the celebration of a wedding liturgy, and the planning of Catholic funerals. Homebound Ministry extends that care to those no longer able to come to church in person.
- Marriage preparation: contact Fr. Anthony Shumway to begin
- Weddings coordinated with the pastor; appointments via Calendly
- Funeral planning: contact the parish office; a priest and the Funeral Coordinator walk the family through vigil, funeral, and burial
- Homebound Ministry brings Holy Communion to the sick at home and in local care facilities
- Spanish-speaking ministry available for both English- and Spanish-speaking families
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas N. Stanton1918
Celebrated the first Mass in the area on September 19, 1918
- Fr. Joseph Valine, O.P. and Fr. Colin McEachen, O.P.1941
Dominican fathers; celebrated the first Logan parish Mass on December 8, 1941; the church at 45 East 500 North was dedicated May 17, 1942
- Fr. Jerome Stoffel (later Msgr. Stoffel)ca. 1947 – late 1970s
Shepherded the parish for 30 years; purchased the future Hyde Park-area land
- Fr. Bob Bussen1977 – ca. 1986
First to suggest remodeling or a new church; after a 1984 Bolivia sabbatical began celebrating Mass in English and Spanish
- Fr. Colin Bircumshaw1986 – 1995
- Fr. David Van Massenhove1986 – 1995
- Fr. Francis W. Voellmecke1986 – 1995
- Fr. Francisco Gomezbegun ca. 1990
Spanish-speaking priest
- Fr. Jesus Montoyabegun ca. 1990
Spanish-speaking priest
- Fr. Fernando Cristanchobegun ca. 1990
Spanish-speaking priest
- Fr. Clarence Sandoval1995 – ca. 2000s
Began celebrating both Spanish and English Masses; revived the new-church effort
- Fr. Francisco PiresArrived 1995, returned summer 2011
Left in 1999, returned as pastor in summer 2011
- Father Anthony Shumwaypresent
Current pastor