"I had thought of doing this for quite some time," said Father Degen. "I'd always had the idea that I'd like to have a parish, if possible, that could financially do some outreach work to another parish that needed it."

When Father Degen arrived at Manson, he knew that St. Thomas would be able to help. Originally when he proposed the idea to parishioners they did not seem interested, but later began helping a parish in North Dakota after the devastating floods and fires in 1997.

"After a year of that, when they were back on their feet in North Dakota again, I talked to the parish council about continuing what we'd been doing, but find some other place to send the money," he said. The parish agreed to continue helping a Catholic parish in the U.S.

Through the help of The Catholic Extension, Father Degen and his parish were given several parishes to pick from. "I knew that they worked at putting parishes together for this sort of thing," explained Father Degen.

In the end, St. Thomas Parish picked St. John Neumann Mission in Eupora, Miss. The mission parish was run by two lay ministers, Mary and Gene Grabbe. The Catholic community of Eupora holds church in a large house in downtown Eupora.

Eupora is located in northern Mississippi, and the mission parish currently serves about 40 families. In an area predominantly settled by Southern Baptists, the Eupora parish had a difficult time getting started, but now, with the help of the Grabbes and St. Thomas Parish, the mission has been able to grow.

Once a month, the people of St. Thomas take up a second collection during the weekend Masses. "The money that comes in from the second collection would be sent to the parish in Mississippi," said Father Degen.

"We have more than enough money in this parish and I think it is really important," said Father Dale J. George, the current pastor of St. Thomas Church. "I think it's really good to get us in the habit of looking beyond ourselves."

The parishioners in Manson felt so good about helping the Catholics in Eupora that when Father Degen would forget to announce the second collection at Mass, he would be reminded immediately.

St. John Neumann Mission occasionally sends pictures and letters to St. Thomas in Manson so that the two parishes are linked, and the people in Manson can know who they are helping. Father George also includes news of the St. John Neumann Church in the parish bulletin.

Although Father Degen retired in August of 2001, St. Thomas Parish still assists St. John Neumann Parish in Eupora. "I really think the parish becomes more aware of their mission responsibilities and their responsibility to evangelization," said Father Degen.

When Father George came to St. Thomas Parish after Father Degen's retirement, he had not heard about the Adopt-a-Parish program.

Church property was purchased in 1883 from Mrs. A. Kautz. The first marriage in St. Thomas Church took place on November 9, 1885. On that date Matthew John Foley and Mary Clarke exchanged their wedding vows. Workmen had to sweep the middle aisle for the couple to proceed to the altar because the church had not been completed.

In 1890, Father M. C. Daly was appointed the first resident pastor. He served the parish as well as the missions of Barnum and Pomeroy. A residence was built for the pastor and land was purchased for the parish cemetery from Jack Christmas.

Father McAuliffe succeeded Fr. Daly in October, 1902. Church records before 1902 were destroyed. The first baptism of record was that of Agnes Booge, daughter of Francis Booge and Frances Debener on October 26, 1902, by Fr. McAuliffe. The first funeral was that of Anna Lang, wife of Anton Lang, who died on October 21, 1903. The sacrament of confirmation was administered for the first time in St. Thomas by Rt. Rev. Phillip J. Garrigan, the first bishop of Sioux City diocese, on September 20, 1903. During Fr. McAuliffe's pastorship the rectory was moved, a basement was built under it, a furnace was installed; a sanctuary, sacristy, and belfry were added to the exterior of the church, a choir loft, metal ceilings and stained glass windows were added to the interior of the church.

Fr. Bernard O'Reilly followed in July, 1908. On June 20, 1909, Fr. O'Reilly witnessed the first class of record to recieve First Communion. There were 21 communicants.

In May of 1919, Fr. Sweeney was appointed pastor. The interior of the rectory was remodeled, a sleeping porch added to the west side of the house, the old board walk north of the church was removed, the old barn was replaced by a cement block garage and a small indebtedness cleared.

Fr. Lynch was chosen pastor of St. Thomas in September, 1922. During his stay the interior of the church was redecorated and Stations of the Cross were erected.

Succeeding Fr. Lynch as pastor was Fr. James Greteman. During the nine years of his pastorate, the rectory was refurnished and redecorated both inside and out. An oak floor was laid in the body of the old church and new oak pews installed. The interior of the church was redecorated and the exterior repainted. Fr. Greteman influenced the parishioners to buy U.S. Governments bonds as the start of a building fund.

On May 8, 1945, Fr. O.A. Dentlinger assumed charge of the parish. Improvements made during his pastorate were installation of the Verdin electric bell ringing system, the Angelus Mass bells and funeral toller, a new electric organ, the new pew kneelers throughout the church were fitted with leather, cushions, and a double acoustic confessional was installed.

R. Knobbe took charge of St. Thomas in August, 1952. Improvements in the parish included the installation of a furnace in the church, a main altar, a crucifix, communion rail and two side altars. The choir stairway and loft were paneled and carpeted, a baptistery built, and doors, both inside and out were replaced. A new kitchen, bathroom and a 12' x 39' addition were added to the rectory. Property was purchased to the north for future needs.

In August, 1956, Fr. Charles M. Kneip was appointed pastor of St. Thomas. During his pastorate, the present church was built. The Ebersole property was purchased on December 6, 1957. On May 28, 1962, the Langenwalter property was purchased. In April, 1964, plans were made for the new church parish hall and classrooms by the building committee. The church was completed in 1966, with a total seating capacity of 402 people.

In 1972, Fr. John Turza was appointed to St. Thomas. Fr. Turza generously opened up the use of the church to the Manson Mennonite congregation after the tornado in 1979.

August of 1979 brought us Fr. E.D. Thom. During Fr. Thom's tenure, the church was reshingled.

The following priests served our Parish - Father Daly served the parish until 1902. Subsequent pastors were: Father John McAuliffe (1902-1908), Father Bernard O'Reilly (1908-1919), Father Clement P. Sweeney (1919-1922), Father Patrick T. Lynch (1922-1932), Father August J. Nuel (1932-1936), Father James B. Greteman (1936-1945), Father Otto A. Dentlinger (1945-1952), Father Clemens A. Knobbe (1952-1956), Father Charles M. Kneip (1956-1969), Father David T. McGoey (1969-1971), Father Alfred E. McCoy (1971-1972), Father John R. Turza (1972-1979), Father Elmer D. Thom (1979-1985), Father Jerome B. Koenig (1985-1987), Father Roger J. Linnan (1987-1989), Father Robert J. McClintock (1989-1996), Father Jerome A. Degen (1996-2001) and Father Dale George (2001-2003) . Father Richard Ries is pastor of St. Thomas.

There have been a number of vocations to sacred order and the religious life nurtured in the parish. Father Robert M. Kelly, S.J., born in Manson in 1877, entered the Jesuit Society in 1889. Florence Adams entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1932 and was given the name Sister Mary Matilda. Other women religious from the parish are Sister Dorothy Sievers, OSF; Sister Madonna Lang, OSF; and Sister Regina Markert, OSF.

Msgr. Kenneth Seifried was ordained for the Diocese of Sioux City in 1963. Thomas Lang, who served many years as an army chaplain, was ordained to the permanent deaconate for the diocese in 1982.

On Oct. 1, 1998, the parish clustered with St. Mary Parish, Pomeroy, and St. Joseph Parish, Palmer. St. Joseph Parish was closed shortly thereafter.