In top photo, Bishop O’Connell blesses the baptismal font in St. James Church, Pennington, Sept. 20. The Bishop celebrated Mass in the newly renovated church. Mike Ehrmann photo
It was a day of many blessings when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., paid a pastoral visit to St. James Church, Pennington, Sept. 20.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bishop’s visit to Pennington parish
Father Stephen Sansevere, pastor, and parishioners joyfully welcomed the Bishop, who blessed the newly renovated church. Because the visit coincided with Catechetical Sunday, the catechists in attendance at Mass also received a special blessing from their Bishop.
In addition to celebrating Mass, Bishop O’Connell joined parishioners for food, fun and fellowship during a festive brunch following the liturgy, Father Sansevere said, “and the parishioners enjoyed it.”
Father Sansevere, along with Deacon Rich Hobson, coordinator of the renovation project, said the extensive “floor-to-ceiling” interior church renovations included repainting the church, adding new flooring, replacing the pews and installing kneelers, which the parish had not previously had.
The church had not been painted in 40 years, Father Sansevere said.
“People wouldn’t let their houses go for 40 years without painting [them],” he quipped.
As for the kneelers, Father Sansevere said that “More and more parishioners started kneeling during Mass.” Previously, parishioners who wished to kneel would kneel on the floor, and seeing the growing practice led the parish to add kneelers to the new pews.
Other enhancements included creating new prayer areas for the Holy Family and Blessed Mother statues, Father Sansevere said, noting that the original statue of the Blessed Mother was brought back into the church.
“That’s something very meaningful to the parishioners,” Father Sansevere said.
The project was funded through a capital campaign launched earlier this year. Father Sansevere said the campaign exceeded its $450,000 goal, leaving the parish with additional funds to pursue exterior improvements including repairs to the cement steps, walkways, parking lot and curbs. The front doors were refinished, and a new statue of St. James and votive stands were purchased.
“The parishioners wanted this,” Father Sansevere said. “They supported it, they were very generous.”
Deacon Hobson, a lifelong parishioner, appreciated the opportunity to serve as the project coordinator.
“What began as a vision and a great deal of planning gradually became something we could see, touch and experience together as a community,” he said.
Having grown up in the parish and now witnessing the renovations, he said he found himself “thinking about all that has taken place within these walls over the years – the prayers, celebrations, milestones and memories of so many people who have called St. James their spiritual home.”
“Having the Bishop present to bless the renovated church was incredibly gratifying to serve at the altar in the completed space and see it formally blessed and dedicated once again to its sacred purpose,” Deacon Hobson said. “The renovation was about caring for a place that holds such significance for our community and helping to ensure that St. James remains a beautiful, welcoming and sacred place for generations to come.”
