By Rosemary Daniels |Correspondent

It was a joyous day, Feb. 9, when the faithful of St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro, gathered to witness the re-dedication of their recently renovated church by Bishop David O’Connell, C.M.

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To read Bishop O'Connell's homily from the re-dedication Mass, click here.

The $1 million renovation project started as a minor upgrade back in the fall of 2012, when it was decided that the rugs should be replaced, as they were looking worn and dingy. Deacon Stephen Sansevere explained, “First we pulled up the rugs, then we thought the floors should probably be upgraded. Then the pews were really in need of replacement, and it just went on from there. Just about everything from floor to ceiling has been replaced. Projection screens were added, so that the prayers and the music can be displayed. The sanctuary was expanded, and the tabernacle was moved too.”

Construction began in June, and extended over seven months. During that time, the congregation gathered for Mass in the gym, sitting on folding chairs, all the while anticipating the improvements that would be coming their way.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell drew a connection between the liturgy and the day’s dedication ceremony. He explained, “That’s what churches are supposed to do: to put us in touch with God. To lift our hearts and minds to God in prayer. To make us realize that no matter who we are, no matter what our status might be, no matter where we fit in this precious life, there is someone bigger than ourselves.”

But he also cautioned the congregation, “All of this means nothing at all if it’s not in here, (gesturing), in your heart….the building is only a means to an end: and the end is the realization that God is present here calling us not simply to have a church but to be in the church.”

St. Gabriel Parish dates back to the 1870s, when it started as a mission church of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold. The original church, built in 1878, measured 30 by 50 feet, and cost $1,150. By 1850, the parish had paid off all debt on the church, and was able to become a parish in its own right. Over time, the local population grew, and, according to the parish website, “Often people attempting to hear Mass could not squeeze into the church, and they found themselves only able to peer into the windows.” In response to this tremendous growth, a new church was built on the corner of Rte. 520 and Rte. 79 in 1972. The original church, which is just down the street on Rte. 520, remains intact, serving as a meeting place as well as for daily Mass from Tuesday through Friday.

Father Eugene Roberts, pastor, was gratified by the strong support his congregation showed toward the renovation efforts. “I have been the pastor here for almost 25 years, and this is the first time we have ever reached a capital campaign goal.” Why? “I think it’s because it’s tangible. People can touch it, and it becomes part of the people,” he said.

One of the most gratifying aspects of the capital campaign, started only a month before the project got underway, was that the donations were well distributed.  Although there were several large donations, there was no one major sponsor. It was truly a parish-wide effort, Father Roberts shared, then noted that his most cherished donation came from two young boys, who came up to him after Mass, and handed him their change. Father Roberts said, “They said, ‘Here’s the money to build your church, Father.’ And I told them, ‘Because of you boys, God’s church will be built.’ The boys had pooled their money and gave all of their $27,” Father Roberts warmly recalled.

The music that the choir had been preparing for weeks was one of the highlights of the day. After the choir and the musicians (including harp, French horn, trumpet and cello) completed the meditation hymn “Proclaim the Message,” the bishop took a moment, and said, “I just have to say, ‘Wow!”  Later, Bernice Desmond, a member of the choir, said that they had been working on the music for several weeks. She added, “The Mass was exquisite. It was a special blessing to have the bishop here.”

Just prior to the recessional hymn, Father Roberts smiled at his congregation, and gave his thanks to those who had made the re-dedication Mass happen. Special recognition was given to architect Anthony Genovese, and to Deacon Sanservere, who, according to Father Roberts, “was here every day, making sure that anything wrong was corrected, and that the project stayed on schedule.” He thanked the congregation, who not only filled the 650 seats, but ringed around the edge of the church, to be part of the celebration. He beamed, saying, “It’s good to be home. It’s good to be home with you.”