By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
After nearly two decades of meetings, demolition, planning and raising funds, Holy Family Parish, Nazareth officially dedicated its new parish center Sept. 29.
Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert celebrated Mass and presided at the dedication with more than 500 members of the vibrant parish.
Concelebrants were Father Joseph Tobias, pastor and Father Kiaieta Joseph Kanimea, assistant pastor.
Ed Perusse, member of the Building Committee, said the long journey toward completing the 19,000-square-foot center had its ups and downs – but the support of parishioners always prevailed.
“It was a long process. We did many studies. Nothing was done in haste. It’s definitely something our parish is proud of,” said Perusse.
One of the most difficult decisions, according to Perusse, was to demolish the old church and the convent to clear the way for the new parish center.
“Many families have fond memories of having their children baptized, receiving the sacraments, and weddings and funerals of loved ones there,” he said.
The center, made possible through the parish’s capital campaign “A New Day Begins,” is handicap-accessible and features a glass-enclosed atrium with accesses to an elevator. The lobby includes a stained glass window of the Holy Family and a coffee bar for small gatherings.
A 244-seat banquet hall is on the first floor with an industrial full-service kitchen for functions such as funeral luncheons.
The first floor will also include a parish meeting room, a coat room and restrooms.
The second floor features a cafeteria to serve the parish school students, a warming kitchen and several meeting rooms to be used by more than 25 parish organizations.
Jayne Sullivan, parishioner who volunteered as the capital campaign’s communication chairman, said the parish center will help welcome new parishioners and bring parishioners closer together for social functions, the parish gala and other events.
“We are a very social parish and we like to enjoy each other. We are welcoming to everyone,” she said.
In his homily, Bishop Schlert called the center a “great milestone” in the parish’s history that was a result of the vibrancy of the parish and the tenacity of Father Tobias.
“As a community of faith, you are participating in the work of Christ by bringing salvation to the world,” he told the parishioners.
He also referred to a church he saw with the name “The Church of What’s Happening Now” and said the Catholic Church is about “what’s happening now.”
“We are ‘what’s happening now’ because each of us uses our gifts to the service of others and to service of the Church,” said Bishop Schlert.
“The Church needs every one of us to live up to our baptismal responsibility and to share our gifts. Thank you for sharing your gifts and your talents. It’s what makes Holy Family so vibrant,” he said.
