Bishop John Wester dedicates Holy Family Church
OGDEN — "You look great. What a difference from the plans to the actual building," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City at the dedication Mass of Holy Family Church Oct. 21. "This church is giving our diocese a new look both in its design and in who we are as Catholics." Bishop Wester concelebrated a Mass with Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, Father Patrick Elliott, pastor of Holy Family Parish, and many priests from throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Fr. Elliott, who at first was speechless, was filled with gratitude and joy. He thanked all those involved in building the church as well as Msgr. Fitzgerald, Michael Lee, director of pastoral operations, and those at the Pastoral Center. He thanked the late Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal, who established the parish in 1979, and the priests before him, including Msgr. George F. Davich (then Father), and Msgr. Lawrence Sweeney, who was pastor for 20 years. "It took us 25 years to get to this point," said Michael Joseph, chairman of the steering committee. "We had literally generations of parishioners who had been trained to build a church, and all the enthusiasm and energy to do this. We wanted this to be a special church so we actually made extra steps for ourselves. Fr. Elliott, with his experience and talent, parishioners, and Jil Morby, chairwoman of the construction committee, met almost every week for two and one half years because we wanted to do everything right. We knew we had done so when people started saying they did not want any more meetings." Joseph said they knew they had to get the finances right, and they had to make sure the parishioners were heard. "We had meetings where we learned about 2,000 years of how to build a Catholic church, we had different surveys done, we even had the children make drawings of what they wanted to have in the church," said Joseph. "Then we brought all that together, and we had people bring fabrics so we could get a flavor of what the church was going to be all about. We had a wonderful architectural firm and construction firm who worked with us, and it was just a collaboration of everybody. "When we finally got to tonight, it was truly exciting," said Joseph. "But what I really liked were all the smiles on the faces of the people. The first day we had Mass here, and we started to sing, everybody stopped and looked around, and said this is the best we have ever sounded. They said look at our beautiful church. This is an unbelievable experience. It was a long road and there were a lot of hurdles and challenges, but overall, the most exciting part was that this whole parish, who already loves each other, came together and put all their hearts and their money into making this happen." In his homily Bishop Wester said, the builders who made this church a reality are like God who built us into living stones. We are able to see through the eyes of faith and we see things in a new way. "Men and women differ in terms of relationships," said Bishop Wester. "I read a study which said for men the event makes the relationships. But for women the relationships make the event. Women are chattering away and the ball game makes a nice side. Ladies, I think it is the relationships that make the event." Bishop Wester said a relationship is what we have with Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus Christ we worship the father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. "Your title, Holy Family, gives us a further look into what it means to be a holy family," said Bishop Wester. "Your parish has a deep devotion to our Mother, Mary. The Holy Family reminds us that as a Church we will suffer and die as a Church. Joseph and Mary from the very beginning knew suffering. The news that Mary was pregnant with the infant Jesus, almost shattered their relationship. The Holy Family reminds us we will suffer and die as a family. The key is no matter how much we suffer, Christ is with us in the darkness. Bishop Wester said the Holy Family reminds us the family was sent forth to nourish us. We are a people who hunger and thirst for God. We are a people of hope because we encounter the Eucharist daily as a sign of hope. "You people of Holy Family Parish are a people of Hope," said Bishop Wester. George Garwood, Jr., Mayor of South Ogden City, said it was a privilege and an honor to be invited to the dedication, and said it was about a year ago he stood on the property to break ground for this beautiful church. He read the Proclamation which states Holy Family Church stands as a testament to the faith and sacrifice of hundreds of men and women of faith who make up a significant part of the societal fabric of South Ogden. Holy Family is now one of the most visible religious buildings in South Ogden City. It will serve as a haven for reflection and prayer for people of all faith in moments of sadness, joy, contemplation, and reflection. The church is also recognized as a center of an intensive and effective ministry to the poor, the hungry, the needy, and the elderly. Mayor Garwood concluded, Holy Family Parish will continue to be a thriving center of the arts, humanities, and public education, and is a valued participant in ecumenical and interreligious endeavors throughout the greater community.
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