Holy Family Church celebrates debt retirement
OGDEN — On Oct. 17, the Holy Family Parish community gathered to celebrate a milestone in a process that began 40 years ago.
On May 26, 1981, the Most Rev. William K. Weigand, seventh Bishop of Salt Lake City, dedicated a building to serve as a temporary church building on the parish property. The following year, Monsignor Lawrence P. Sweeny was appointed as pastor. Under his guidance, the rest of the acreage that now comprises the property was acquired and construction at the top of the hill began.
It wasn’t until 2005, however, that construction of the existing Holy Family Church began, after the late Father Patrick Elliott was appointed pastor. The church was dedicated Oct. 21, 2008 by the Most Rev. John Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City and now Archbishop of Santa Fe.
This year, just a few days shy of the 13th anniversary of the dedication, the Holy Family community celebrated retiring the debt for the building of the church with a Mass at which Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided. Concelebrating was Father William Wheaton, pastor. Assisting were Deacon Doug Smith and Deacon Dale Dillon.
Bishop Solis welcomed all to the celebration and expressed his congratulations to the community for their achievement.
“Today we celebrate that the parish paid off debt; we thank all the people who came together to make this possible,” the bishop said.
With his typical humor, the bishop told the parishioners that now they can finally breathe, which resulted in a sudden laugh from the congregation. Bishop Solis thanked the parishioners for their generosity, “and dedication that has made Holy Family what it is today.”
“So we thank all the people who have contributed to this beautiful church. … This is because of you,” he said. “We want to express a special thanks to Fr. Elliot – I know he is rejoicing. … Also thanks to Fr. Wheaton, who carried on the work of Fr. Elliot.”
“If we want to build another cathedral, we know who can do it: the community of Holy Family,” Bishop Solis said with a big smile.
Among those at the Mass was Tom Wayne, who ministers as an usher at the parish. He said he was very happy for the celebration, because Holy Family has always been his parish and “it’s nice to not have a debt.”
As a convert, Wayne said that, for him, the achievement showed that when a community joins forces, anything can be possible.
“We have all participated in this awesome quest. … Fr. Elliot was really on top of us so we could pay it off, and we did it,” he said.
In addition to the Mass, the parish community had a debt retirement party that took place at the Timbermine Steakhouse.
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