Orchard Lake — It’s one thing to receive grace; it’s quite another to give thanks for it.

Amidst a full church at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Orchard Lake on Oct. 8, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron recounted the Gospel story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, and the one Samaritan who came back to thank Him.

“During the healing, a favor is given and recognized,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “To give thanks, means recognizing that God did something great for us. At the heart of Christ’s life, He always gave thanks to the Lord, knowing it was though the Lord the healing took place.”

Archbishop Vigneron said the Gospel message was fitting for Our Lady of Refuge’s 75th anniversary celebration, as the parish used the Saturday evening Mass to thank God for all the blessings He’s bestowed upon the community.

“Always, whenever we are blessed with God’s grace, we must give Him praise,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Because of the Resurrection, we have the grace to give thanks for Jesus for saving us from sin. This is worth praising, through the difficulties and experiences that have taken place in this parish, which have turned into opportunities to give thanks for the triumph of Jesus.”

Our Lady of Refuge Parish originally began as an outgrowth to Masses held at the nearby chapel of SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, when, because of the number of congregants, Archbishop Edward A. Mooney permitted the establishment of a new parish in 1939. Originally intended to be called St. Mary’s of the Lake, the parish was named Our Lady of Refuge for Sinners to avoid confusion with St. Mary’s High School at St. Mary’s College, which were on the grounds of SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary.

Fr. Gerald McEnhill, the sixth and current pastor of Our Lady of Refuge, recounted for the congregation all the parish has done over the years, recognizing especially the efforts taken to commemorate the anniversary.

“Our parish has been blessed; it’s hard to image all that has occurred over the past 75 years in the parish, in this community,” Fr. McEnhill said. “It’s the parishioners are the ones to be acknowledged. It’s them who made this possible. But today also serves as a reminder for us, who will continue the legacy of Our Lady of Refuge Parish.”

The parish planned a series of events to celebrate the occasion, including a children’s play portraying the parish’s history and a timeline made by Our Lady of Refuge students chronicling the history of the parish – and the country – in the 75 years of Our Lady of Refuge’s existence. Historical displays greeted parishioners and visitors as they gathered for a reception at the Mitchell Family Center on the parish grounds.

“As we celebrate this day, we must remember we are responsible to continue our faith and the difference we make in our community and our archdiocese,” Fr McEnhill said.