COVENTRY-Bishop Thomas J. Tobin concelebrated the 11:30 Mass and blessing for the dedication of the new parish center and welcome area of Saints John and Paul Church, in Coventry, a construction two years in the making.
Father Paul R. Grenon, pastor of Saints John and Paul Church, 341 South Main St., expressed his joy in the having Bishop Tobin present to celebrate the blessing of the new parish hall and welcome area.
“Now we are here, some years later,” said Father Grenon. “We are very grateful that he is here to bless our new facilities.”
In June 2007, construction crews broke ground making way for the roughly 10,000 square-foot parish center, gallery and prayer garden as well as the new welcome area in the front of the church. Along with the new physical structure came the work that was done to reconfigure the parking facilities to improve the traffic flow. Now parishioners can utilize the facilities that they have patiently awaited.
“This is what we have been waiting for,” said Father Grenon, “We have been looking forward to this day and we got a beautiful day out of it.”
Bishop Tobin expressed that it was a great privilege to be with the congregation on this special occasion.
“After much hard work and prayer by so many members of Saints John and Paul Parish, we gather now to bless and dedicate this new welcome area and parish hall,” said Bishop Tobin. “ It will be the center for parish activities and a place where we may come to know one another and give witness to our faith in Christ.”
The Bishop called the new parish center and welcome area “stunning” and congratulated the parish on their wonderful achievement.
“The new parish center will meet the needs for many years to come,” said Bishop Tobin. “It will be a wonderful resource for the parish.”
Parishioner Cathy Barden was present at the blessing and explained how pleased she is with the new additions to the church, including the stained glass as well as the religious icon donated by Father Grenon.
“The new parish center is beautiful,” said Barden. “It accommodates everyone nicely.”
During the blessing, a parishioner read the words of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians, fitting to the event. “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the spirit.”
Those present also prayed for the individuals who, by their work and contributions, helped to build the new facilities and for those who will use the new facilities, that their participation in parish life may be deepened.
“With praise and thanksgiving, let us ask God, through whom all things are accomplished, to bless these new facilities and our parish center,” Bishop Tobin said.
“I really like it,” said usher and parishioner, David Simonelli, emphasizing his amazement with the finished project. “There are so many functions with the new center.”
Bishop Tobin blessed the new parish center and welcome area, sprinkling the new facilities with Holy Water. The Bishop also hung the new crucifix in the gallery aside the sacristy door.
“We ask you to bless us and all who will use this new parish center and welcome area,” said Bishop Tobin. “May all who come here know the presence of Christ, experience the joy of His friendship and grow in His love.”
