By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

It was standing room only and then some Sept. 17 as hundreds joined Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at Freehold’s Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, to witness the blessing and rededication of the newly named Msgr. Thomas F. Dentici Hall.

The hall, built 42-years ago by Msgr. Dentici, the founding pastor, will serve, as Bishop O’Connell noted in his proclamation, not only as a hub for parish events but diocesan liturgies and programs.

And the ceremony in the wide expanse of the hall on the feast of the Co-Cathedral’s patron saint, brought to a joyous conclusion a three-month, general renovation project that had spanned the summer and included installation of new floor tiles, walls, upgrades to the electrical systems, kitchen and audio-visual systems.

The project was, as Bishop O’Connell told the large group that gathered around him, a work of progress that had involved the “work and prayers of so many,” dedicated to upgrading a beloved structure that had once been the community’s whole center for worship, education and socialization.

“May all who enter here meet Christ here,” the Bishop prayed as he blessed the meeting room and its surrounds, including the chapel that served as the worship site until the dedication of the parish’s new church – and now-Diocesan Co-Cathedral – in 2002 which was built under the stewardship of Father Thomas J. O’Connor, fourth pastor of the parish.

More to come on this story.