Saint Martin de Porres renames its parish hall in honor of the newly canonized Saint John Paul II

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Jan Bednarz, pastor of Saint Martin de Porres Parish, blesses the hall that has been named in honor of Saint John Paul II.IC photo/Marie Mischel

TAYLORSVILLE — On the same day that Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII were canonized, Saint Martin de Porres Parish in Taylorsville honored the new saints with a short ceremony and a display in the parish hall, which was renamed that day.

"In solidarity with the canonization we will dedicate this parish hall," said Father Jan Bednarz, pastor. "After much work and prayer by so many members of our parish, especially Mary Tolbert, … we dedicate this parish hall in the name of Saint John Paul the Great to be a center for our parish activities, and I pray that we will come to know one another and give witness to our faith in Christ. I hope that some boys who every Sunday will be here for coffee and donuts, will look at this picture of Saint John Paul the Great, and maybe the Holy Spirit will call them to become Catholic priests."

Renovation of the hall began four months ago after one of its walls suffered water damage. Among the renovations was a new paint job that included quotes from Saint John Paul II that were placed on the pillars. One of the quotes on a central pillar is "Darkness can only be scattered by light; hatred can only be conquered by love."

Fr. Bednarz said he is proud that both he and Saint John Paul II are Polish; as a student in 1975, he met the former Cardinal Wojtyla, who taught theology. However, he had other reasons for choosing to rename the parish hall in the saint’s honor.

"He was the only pope in 2,000 years to travel to 129 countries to proclaim the Gospel," and he also canonized the most saints of all the popes, loved the youth of the Church and worked to strengthen the Church’s ecumenical efforts, Fr. Bednarz said. "He loved the Blessed Virgin Mary and he carried the cross in his life, so he is the best model for us."

At the entrance to the parish hall is a display that includes photos of Saint John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII and books about them. Also on display is a commemorative plate of John Paul II that was given to Fr. Bednarz by the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council in appreciation for his priesthood. The plate has not been displayed for many years, said David Matyjasik, one of the parish Knights, "so it’s nice to see it again."