'The House of the Church': St. Denis community gathers for dual celebration
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Dave DuPre has been a devoted member of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, for 60 years, where Sunday after Sunday, he’s faithfully served in his beloved ministry as an usher.
Sunday, June 21, was especially meaningful for DuPre as he welcomed fellow parishioners and guests who had journeyed to Manasquan to witness Bishop John M. Smith bless and dedicate the newly renovated church.
The dedication was actually a dual cause for celebration for the parish community. Not only did it mark the culmination of the major restoration project to the church building, which was originally constructed in 1909, but St. Denis also observes the 100th anniversary of its founding this year.
Bishop Smith, in his homily during the Mass, recapped some of the highlights of St. Denis Parish history -- how it had been established by Bishop James A. McFaul June 22, 1909. Then paying particular tribute to the 10 priests who have served as pastors, he commended them as being “extraordinary men” and said, “The fathers of this spiritual family who share their faith with you, who led in the Gospel values, who celebrate the Sacraments with you and who always each morning, did something that only the priest can do – celebrate the Eucharist, brought Jesus Christ present to his people.”
"Today, we celebrate 100 years of your parish community. Now for your 100th birthday, you have this beautiful worship space, which is a credit to each and every one of you,” said Bishop Smith.
Reminding the congregation about the meaning of the “Church,” Bishop Smith said it is not about the building.
“This building is the house of the Church; this is where the Church gathers,” he said. “The Church is you. The Church itself is made of the living stones and you, my brothers and sisters, are the living stones. You are the Church because the Holy Spirit dwells in you.”
New Worship Experience
Father Stanley P. Lukaszewski, pastor, and Deacon George Kelder Jr., recounted the several years of planning it took to compile the lengthy list of renovations and expansion that were conducted and the ambitious undertaking it was to have it all completed in time for the parish’s 100th anniversary celebration.
Renovations commenced when the church was “temporarily closed” May 18, 2008 at which time, parishioners gathered with Father Lukaszewski for the 11 a.m. Mass, then joined in a more than mile-long Eucharistic procession to Our Lady Star of the Sea Beach Chapel, which is part of St. Denis Parish, where Masses and other sacramental celebrations were going to be held in the interim renovation period.
Deacon Kelder, who joined St. Denis in 1984, and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Smith in 2002, said that Anthony Genovese, a liturgical consultant and architect, who had worked on the Sacred Heart Cathedral Basilica in Newark, was contracted to design the new church.
The first thing one will notice on entering the renovated space is its “simple beauty and understated grandeur,” said Deacon Kelder, adding that with the renovations, which cost about $4 million, the church now has a seating capacity of 750 with standing room for another 250, to accommodate the parish which has grown nearly 50 percent in size.
For safety reasons, the main entrance was relocated from the Highway 71 entrance to the rear which now serves as the gathering space and primary entrance.
“One only had to attend a wedding or funeral to understand the dangers now present on what our founding parishioners knew as Union Avenue, and what has since become State Hwy. 71,” he said.
The sanctuary, which was refurbished with marble flooring and wainscoting, was returned to its original location and now incorporates the history of the original building with a refinished altar, tabernacle and ambo.
The focal point of the sanctuary is the return of the restored 100-year-old rose window, which had been missing from view for many years, said Deacon Kelder. The window, which depicts the crucified Christ, originally hung over the main entrance of the original church, but was taken out during the 1950 and had since been left sitting in a thousand pieces in the church attic. The window now hangs over the altar of the renovated church.
While the original stained glass windows were restored, one new window depicting a portrait of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, was added. Deacon Kelder said the Native American saint, one of the most recent to be canonized, is known as the Lily of the Mohawks, but her mother was an Algonquin Indian, linking her to Manasquan.
The window, said Deacon Kelder, is dedicated to the Marron family, a Brielle family who generously donated their $1.8 million estate to St. Denis in 2002, which helped to cover the cost of the renovations.
While the original baptismal font was fitted with a lid and is now being used as an ambry to store the holy oils used in the Sacraments of Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick, a new baptismal font was installed mid-way through the church, allowing for infant baptisms as well as for full immersion baptisms for adults at the Easter Vigil.
Also installed in the renovated church were two projection systems on either side of the sanctuary that project the readings and hymn lyrics on blank areas of the wall on either side of the altar for all to see. As a result, missals and hymnals are no longer found in the pews. The idea is to keep everyone’s attention focused on the altar during worship services, instead of relying on the missals.
Confessionals are no longer found in the new church. Instead, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in the new reconciliation rooms which have been added behind the altar.
The choir loft has been removed and the ministry of song is integrated on the same level as the worshiping community “to enhance our worship,” said Deacon Kelder. The choir is now aided by a brand new organ, equipped with 12 speakers as well as an electronic Clarion bell system to replace the single antique bell installed in 1911.
The renovated church also has two handicapped accessible restrooms, as well as modern equipment allowing for barrier free accessibility to the main church and lower Monsignor O’Connor Hall was incorporated. The gathering space was expanded and air conditioning and heating systems were upgraded; an elevator was installed and other handicapped accessible provisions were made.
Expanded Celebration
Along with celebrating its centennial year, Father Lukaszewski noted two other reasons for the St. Denis community to celebrate in 2009. In May, parishioner George Pstrak was ordained to the permanent diaconate, and in October, St. Denis School will observe its 50th anniversary.
He said, “Yes, we have great cause to rejoice and be glad,” he said. “It’s a time of reflection as we look back and see how the hopes and dreams of the early pioneers of the parish pulled together to create a place of worship and prayer that would solely be theirs.”
“One hundred years ago, a group of people saw the need for a place to gather in prayer, song and fellowship. Their tireless efforts resulted in the establishment of our church. We have benefited over these 100 years from the fruits of their labors,” said Father Lukaszewski. “The parish has benefited from the gifts of our forefathers and now it’s time to plan for the future and create a place where future generations will gather as a Catholic community for prayer, to encounter their God through song, worship and the Sacraments.
Enthusiastic Parishioners
DuPre could not contain his enthusiasm about how impressed he was with the pomp and pageantry of the ceremony, saying it certainly was quite different from the ceremony held in the mid-1950s when the church underwent its first massive renovation, which doubled the size of the building along Virginia Avenue.
“I never dreamed the parish would expand the way it has,” said DuPre.
Like DuPre, parishioners Maureen Cummins and Esther Forest marveled in the privilege of witnessing their parish’s centennial celebration and the dedication of their newly renovated church building.
Cummins, who relocated to the Shore area about 30 years ago, from Belle Mead, appreciates the “sense of camaraderie” among parishioners.
“They are all friendly people,” said Cummins, who is a daily Mass attendant. “It’s a wonderful community. It’s like family when we come together.”
“Elegant” was the word Forest used to describe the newly renovated St. Denis Church.
“Everyone who participated in the renovation should be congratulated,” said Forest, who also moved to the Shore area from Montclair about 30 years ago.
Noting how “flattered” she was when she was asked to serve on the building committee for the renovation process, Forest, who is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and a member of the parish health ministry, spoke of being “amazed” when she saw the end result.
“The renovations blend the old with the new and the traditional with the modern,” she said. “It’s always been a very safe place for me. I’ve always loved St. Denis and all the parishioners. I’m happy to be a member of the parish.”
Meaningful Journey
For Deacon Kelder, renovating St. Denis Church was an endeavor that was much more than just about “restoring a house.”
“This is a temple of God, built of living stones, and its altar around which the holy people gather to take part in the Lord’s sacrifice stands as a sign of Christ himself,” said Deacon Kelder.
“Expanded for the second time this new St. Denis is a house filled with a sense of God’s presence, a place where comfort, healing and peace flood not only a building, but also the hearts of all who worship here.”
“We’ve expanded, modernized and beautified God’s house, a house built of living stones – a space necessary to a vibrant community of worshipping Catholics; a house, in which we bury our dead, marry our spouses, baptize and confirm our children and share in the Eucharist; a house where we come to safely cry and comfortably offer thanks; a house of workshop not only for us and those who have gone before us, but for our children’s children and those who will break bread after us."
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Dave DuPre has been a devoted member of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, for 60 years, where Sunday after Sunday, he’s faithfully served in his beloved ministry as an usher.
Sunday, June 21, was especially meaningful for DuPre as he welcomed fellow parishioners and guests who had journeyed to Manasquan to witness Bishop John M. Smith bless and dedicate the newly renovated church.
The dedication was actually a dual cause for celebration for the parish community. Not only did it mark the culmination of the major restoration project to the church building, which was originally constructed in 1909, but St. Denis also observes the 100th anniversary of its founding this year.
Bishop Smith, in his homily during the Mass, recapped some of the highlights of St. Denis Parish history -- how it had been established by Bishop James A. McFaul June 22, 1909. Then paying particular tribute to the 10 priests who have served as pastors, he commended them as being “extraordinary men” and said, “The fathers of this spiritual family who share their faith with you, who led in the Gospel values, who celebrate the Sacraments with you and who always each morning, did something that only the priest can do – celebrate the Eucharist, brought Jesus Christ present to his people.”
"Today, we celebrate 100 years of your parish community. Now for your 100th birthday, you have this beautiful worship space, which is a credit to each and every one of you,” said Bishop Smith.
Reminding the congregation about the meaning of the “Church,” Bishop Smith said it is not about the building.
“This building is the house of the Church; this is where the Church gathers,” he said. “The Church is you. The Church itself is made of the living stones and you, my brothers and sisters, are the living stones. You are the Church because the Holy Spirit dwells in you.”
New Worship Experience
Father Stanley P. Lukaszewski, pastor, and Deacon George Kelder Jr., recounted the several years of planning it took to compile the lengthy list of renovations and expansion that were conducted and the ambitious undertaking it was to have it all completed in time for the parish’s 100th anniversary celebration.
Renovations commenced when the church was “temporarily closed” May 18, 2008 at which time, parishioners gathered with Father Lukaszewski for the 11 a.m. Mass, then joined in a more than mile-long Eucharistic procession to Our Lady Star of the Sea Beach Chapel, which is part of St. Denis Parish, where Masses and other sacramental celebrations were going to be held in the interim renovation period.
Deacon Kelder, who joined St. Denis in 1984, and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Smith in 2002, said that Anthony Genovese, a liturgical consultant and architect, who had worked on the Sacred Heart Cathedral Basilica in Newark, was contracted to design the new church.
The first thing one will notice on entering the renovated space is its “simple beauty and understated grandeur,” said Deacon Kelder, adding that with the renovations, which cost about $4 million, the church now has a seating capacity of 750 with standing room for another 250, to accommodate the parish which has grown nearly 50 percent in size.
For safety reasons, the main entrance was relocated from the Highway 71 entrance to the rear which now serves as the gathering space and primary entrance.
“One only had to attend a wedding or funeral to understand the dangers now present on what our founding parishioners knew as Union Avenue, and what has since become State Hwy. 71,” he said.
The sanctuary, which was refurbished with marble flooring and wainscoting, was returned to its original location and now incorporates the history of the original building with a refinished altar, tabernacle and ambo.
The focal point of the sanctuary is the return of the restored 100-year-old rose window, which had been missing from view for many years, said Deacon Kelder. The window, which depicts the crucified Christ, originally hung over the main entrance of the original church, but was taken out during the 1950 and had since been left sitting in a thousand pieces in the church attic. The window now hangs over the altar of the renovated church.
While the original stained glass windows were restored, one new window depicting a portrait of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, was added. Deacon Kelder said the Native American saint, one of the most recent to be canonized, is known as the Lily of the Mohawks, but her mother was an Algonquin Indian, linking her to Manasquan.
The window, said Deacon Kelder, is dedicated to the Marron family, a Brielle family who generously donated their $1.8 million estate to St. Denis in 2002, which helped to cover the cost of the renovations.
While the original baptismal font was fitted with a lid and is now being used as an ambry to store the holy oils used in the Sacraments of Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick, a new baptismal font was installed mid-way through the church, allowing for infant baptisms as well as for full immersion baptisms for adults at the Easter Vigil.
Also installed in the renovated church were two projection systems on either side of the sanctuary that project the readings and hymn lyrics on blank areas of the wall on either side of the altar for all to see. As a result, missals and hymnals are no longer found in the pews. The idea is to keep everyone’s attention focused on the altar during worship services, instead of relying on the missals.
Confessionals are no longer found in the new church. Instead, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in the new reconciliation rooms which have been added behind the altar.
The choir loft has been removed and the ministry of song is integrated on the same level as the worshiping community “to enhance our worship,” said Deacon Kelder. The choir is now aided by a brand new organ, equipped with 12 speakers as well as an electronic Clarion bell system to replace the single antique bell installed in 1911.
The renovated church also has two handicapped accessible restrooms, as well as modern equipment allowing for barrier free accessibility to the main church and lower Monsignor O’Connor Hall was incorporated. The gathering space was expanded and air conditioning and heating systems were upgraded; an elevator was installed and other handicapped accessible provisions were made.
Expanded Celebration
Along with celebrating its centennial year, Father Lukaszewski noted two other reasons for the St. Denis community to celebrate in 2009. In May, parishioner George Pstrak was ordained to the permanent diaconate, and in October, St. Denis School will observe its 50th anniversary.
He said, “Yes, we have great cause to rejoice and be glad,” he said. “It’s a time of reflection as we look back and see how the hopes and dreams of the early pioneers of the parish pulled together to create a place of worship and prayer that would solely be theirs.”
“One hundred years ago, a group of people saw the need for a place to gather in prayer, song and fellowship. Their tireless efforts resulted in the establishment of our church. We have benefited over these 100 years from the fruits of their labors,” said Father Lukaszewski. “The parish has benefited from the gifts of our forefathers and now it’s time to plan for the future and create a place where future generations will gather as a Catholic community for prayer, to encounter their God through song, worship and the Sacraments.
Enthusiastic Parishioners
DuPre could not contain his enthusiasm about how impressed he was with the pomp and pageantry of the ceremony, saying it certainly was quite different from the ceremony held in the mid-1950s when the church underwent its first massive renovation, which doubled the size of the building along Virginia Avenue.
“I never dreamed the parish would expand the way it has,” said DuPre.
Like DuPre, parishioners Maureen Cummins and Esther Forest marveled in the privilege of witnessing their parish’s centennial celebration and the dedication of their newly renovated church building.
Cummins, who relocated to the Shore area about 30 years ago, from Belle Mead, appreciates the “sense of camaraderie” among parishioners.
“They are all friendly people,” said Cummins, who is a daily Mass attendant. “It’s a wonderful community. It’s like family when we come together.”
“Elegant” was the word Forest used to describe the newly renovated St. Denis Church.
“Everyone who participated in the renovation should be congratulated,” said Forest, who also moved to the Shore area from Montclair about 30 years ago.
Noting how “flattered” she was when she was asked to serve on the building committee for the renovation process, Forest, who is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and a member of the parish health ministry, spoke of being “amazed” when she saw the end result.
“The renovations blend the old with the new and the traditional with the modern,” she said. “It’s always been a very safe place for me. I’ve always loved St. Denis and all the parishioners. I’m happy to be a member of the parish.”
Meaningful Journey
For Deacon Kelder, renovating St. Denis Church was an endeavor that was much more than just about “restoring a house.”
“This is a temple of God, built of living stones, and its altar around which the holy people gather to take part in the Lord’s sacrifice stands as a sign of Christ himself,” said Deacon Kelder.
“Expanded for the second time this new St. Denis is a house filled with a sense of God’s presence, a place where comfort, healing and peace flood not only a building, but also the hearts of all who worship here.”
“We’ve expanded, modernized and beautified God’s house, a house built of living stones – a space necessary to a vibrant community of worshipping Catholics; a house, in which we bury our dead, marry our spouses, baptize and confirm our children and share in the Eucharist; a house where we come to safely cry and comfortably offer thanks; a house of workshop not only for us and those who have gone before us, but for our children’s children and those who will break bread after us."
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