St. Anthony Parish was established by the Congregation of Sacred Heart in 1916. Likewise, the school was opened on September 2, 1928 under the initiative of the Pastor, the Rev. Hubert Nijs, SS.CC and staffed by the Maryknoll Sisters.
The Sacred Heart Fathers continued to minister the Parish and the School until late 70's when a Diocesan Priest took over the administration. In 1971, the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) from the Philippines succeeded the Maryknoll Sisters.
As the Filipino ethnic membership of the parish started to grow, Bishop Francis DiLorenzo requested the Missionaries of our Lady of La Salette from the Philippines to administer the Parish and the School.
So the first La Salette Pastor was Fr. Joven Junio, MS from 1996 to 1999. Fr. Napoleon Andres, MS came in as Pastor in 1999 together with Fr. Erwin dela Cruz, MS as Associate Pastor. In 2000, when Fr. dela Cruz went back to the Philippines, Fr. Geronimo Castro, MS joined Fr. Andres from 2000 to 2003.
At present, Fr. Augustine Cheerakathil, MS administers the parish and the school.
The community in St. Anthony is predominantly Filipino ethnic community and Filipino devotions makes it so vibrant and supportive as a Family. There are estimated a thousand people come for Sunday masses. However, there are only 300 to 400 registered Catholic families.
