HILLSBOROUGH – Members of Holy Family Parish gathered Feb. 13 to observe the completion of renovations to their church building.
The community, including Father Ryan Elder, pastor, and Deacon Bert L’Homme, celebrated a bilingual vigil Mass with Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama presiding. During Mass the walls and altar were blessed.
The parish, which originally celebrated Mass in an open-air pavilion decades ago, constructed a main church building around 1985, said Father Ryan, and the atrium area was added in 1998.
The recent changes to the building included a new sacristy for ministers, remodeled atrium to allow more space to welcome people to the church, remodeled sanctuary, new second floor restroom and a dedicated office for Hispanic ministry.
In his homily the bishop congratulated the community for the special occasion.
“After hard work, you can now celebrate the results,” he said. “It was needed. Over time, things change, and you needed to renew … it was required for each one to do something to make a difference, and I think that is what the Gospel is talking about today.”
The bishop explained how a call to renew, spiritually, is one that all people have because no one is perfect.
“That is why we are searching for God,” he said, encouraging the congregation to open their hearts to the Lord when they receive Communion. “With the Eucharist we can be embraced by his love.”
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