“May 31, 1960
His Eminence James Francis Cardinal McIntyre establishes St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.

July 1961
A machine shop located at 1100 South Atlantic Boulevard, M.P. is leased as temporary housing for Parish Masses.

Sept. 10, 1961
First Mass of STA Parish is celebrated by Fr. Evans in leased machine shop. About 25 families in attendance armed with knee pads some small pillows and folding chairs.

May 1962
Groundbreaking for STA Church and other parish buildings.

February 3, 1963
First Mass is celebrated at the NEW St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

August 1963
Church, school, other parish buildings ready for occupancy.

Sept. 10, 1963
First day of School. Grades 1 through 4 (200 students.) taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Newark.

1970
June 1975
Father Brian Cavanagh appointed Parish Administrator; Pastor (1979)

1979
Father Cavanagh establishes First Parish Council. Father Michael Morahan, an Irish Jesuit served yearly from January to June

1980
March 1980
Father Norman Supancheck in residence, introduced the Spanish Mass

1980
Fr. Cavanagh formulated & implemented “Call to Prayer Program” in English & Spanish

1981
Sister Ellen Muldoon, Sister of St. Columban, expanded the ministry to the sick.

1982
Father Cavanagh formed a group of Eucharistic ministers and lectors.

November 1982
Father Armando Palma, in residence. Introduced “Flores de Mayo”, children’s choir, and Las Posadas

May 12, 1985
His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Manning presided at the 25th anniversary Mass:g 750 registered families.

1990
1991
Our beloved Fr. Maurice Evans passed away

December 1993
Parish notified of proposal for a center for Chinese evangelization directed by Fr. Delos Humphrey

March 1, 1994
His Eminence Cardinal Roger Mahony established a Chinese Catholic Mission to increase Chinese evangelization

September 1994
Fr. Delos Humphrey replaced Fr. Brian Cavanagh

1994
Fr. Luis Garcia formed Our Lady of Guadalupe Society

1995
Fr. Ed Dover and Fr. Gabriel Lui were assigned as a team to minister to the parishioners.

2000
October 1, 2000
In honor of the 120 Chinese martyrs, 120 rose bushes were planted in their memory. Fr. Larry Estrada assigned as Pastor of the twin parishes, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Stephen Martyr.

2001
Fr. John Montejano appointed Administer Pro Tem.

2002
Fr. John Higgins appointed Administer Pro Tem. School celebrated 40th anniversary

2003
Fr. Gabriel Lui appointed Administer Pro Tem., Pastor (2005)

2004
Parish celebrated Fr. Gabriel Lui 25th anniversary of ordination

2010
2010
Formation of the Capital Campaign Committee

July 1, 2011
Fr. Gabriel Lui completed Pastorship. Fr. John Kyebasuuta- New Administrator and Fr. Jay Wu, Associate Pastor

October 9, 2011
Parish celebrated its Golden Jubliee

July 2013
Ground breaking on New Parish hall and offices

2020”