The Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley celebrated its St. Alphonsus Church worship site in a very special way March 14.
The various renovations that were recently made to the148-year-old church building that’s located in Hopewell were joyfully marked with a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrated by Father Stephen Sansevere, pastor.
According to Father Sansevere, during the last few years, many of the church’s solid wood pews, that were at least 50 years old, were worn even after undergoing numerous repairs. The flooring as well needed to be replaced.
“We started looking around and thought maybe a facelift in the sanctuary was needed as well,” he said.
“We needed some pop,” he said, but the intent was to maintain the church’s 148 year old style.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
“The message of Jesus is simple and urgent: ‘Turn on the Light,’” he said.
“We are called to be children of the light – to live with integrity, compassion, mercy and love. To let Christ illuminate the corners of our hearts where resentment, selfishness, prejudice, impurity, or hidden sin may still linger,” the Bishop said.
“Light reveals, but it also heals.”
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com for the story on the renovations in St. Alphonsus Church, Hopewell.