In aftermath of fire, Lakewood pastor reminds parishioners that ‘God is with us’
October 9, 2025 at 5:43 p.m.
The large, multicultural parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lakewood is just over five years old, but its roots run deep in the area. Created in 2020 through the merger of St. Mary of the Lake Parish and St. Anthony Claret Parish – and wrapping in the Holy Family School and Church campus – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is now 5,000 families strong, many of whom are members of the area’s long-standing Hispanic and Polish communities.
Lakewood’s Catholic history dates back to the late 1800s, throughout which the faith community weathered storms and responded to the challenges of its time. But nothing in its past prepared Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish for the crisis that unfolded Oct. 3 when a fire broke out in the Holy Family school building, causing major damage and disruption and leaving parts of the building beyond repair.
Heavy smoke and flames pour from the roof of Holy Family School in Lakewood during the Oct. 3 fire. Courtesy photoAssessing the Impact
Diocesan and parish personnel have described the damage as “extensive,” but little will be known until the local fire marshal completes an investigation and insurance adjusters are able to do assessments.
Holy Family School on East County Line Road closed as a Catholic elementary school in 2015. The building is owned by the parish and under lease to the Lakewood Board of Education until June 30, 2026; it was the site of the district’s Piner Elementary School until a few months ago.
The school has also been used most weeknights for adult programs, community services and, most significantly, parish religious education classes. It is this program that will experience the greatest impact with some 700 parish children having just returned to a new catechetical year. For the time being, these youngsters are without a place to gather for class, according to the pastor, Divine Word Father Guilherme Andrino.
The parish also rented space to the local Polish school, a cultural group that held classes one night each week. The Polish school was occupying the building when the fire broke out and people had to be evacuated, according to parish leaders. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters from area departments work to contain heavy flames and smoke during the Oct. 3 fire at Holy Family School in Lakewood. Courtesy photo.A Faith Response
Since the inception of the crisis, Father Andrino has spoken several times with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who extended his prayers and support to the people of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The parish has also gratefully accepted the assistance of several diocesan officials who have been present and available to help navigate through the work of investigators and insurance adjusters, as well as clean-up efforts.
In 2015, the Holy Family School community gave thanks for 40 years of faith, family and friends. Monitor file photo.Like the Bishop, Father Andrino also focused on prayer and support when he wrote to parishioners the weekend of Oct. 4 and 5. In his letter, he acknowledged the extent of the damage and its impact on the parish. But, most importantly, he asked for prayers, understanding and unity as the parish navigates through the demands to come.
He wrote, “By now, many of you have heard the difficult news: this past Friday, October 3rd around 7p.m., a fire broke out in the Holy Family Gym.”
Describing the damage as “significant,” Father Andrino said that the fire destroyed the art room, cafeteria, offices and gymnasium. Though he first believed that the classrooms were not impacted, later reports confirm that there is smoke, water and other damage in those spaces as well.
His letter emphasized, “Most importantly, no one was hurt. For that, we give thanks to God.”
Father Andrino went on to say, “It is clear that the gym section will need to be demolished, but we remain hopeful that the classrooms can be preserved. I’ve already spoken with our Bishop and the insurance company to begin discerning the next steps forward.”
According to the letter, religious education classes will be temporarily paused until the parish obtains full clearance from the authorities confirming the safety of the space.
Despite the setbacks, however, Holy Family Church will continue to be used for Masses and liturgical celebrations, Father Andrino assured.
He asked parishioners to stay “united and focused,” adding that, “In times like these, rumors and misinformation can spread quickly. Let us choose faith over fear, and truth over speculation. . . I hold firmly to the belief that God is with us in this moment, just as he has always been. We will rebuild. The material losses can be restored. What matters most is the safety and strength of our community, and that remains unshaken.”
Publishing a Prayer of Protection, Father Andrino issued the following appeal: “Please keep our parish in your prayers. I ask for your understanding and flexibility as we may need to adjust schedules and plans in the coming months. Together, with faith and love, we will move forward.”
Mary Stadnyk, associate editor of The Monitor, contributed to the preparation of this article.
Flames rise from Holy Family School in Lakewood Oct. 3 after a fire broke out in the parish-owned building, causing extensive damage. The school, part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, has long been used for parish religious education classes and community programs. No injuries were reported. Courtesy photo.Related Stories
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The large, multicultural parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lakewood is just over five years old, but its roots run deep in the area. Created in 2020 through the merger of St. Mary of the Lake Parish and St. Anthony Claret Parish – and wrapping in the Holy Family School and Church campus – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is now 5,000 families strong, many of whom are members of the area’s long-standing Hispanic and Polish communities.
Lakewood’s Catholic history dates back to the late 1800s, throughout which the faith community weathered storms and responded to the challenges of its time. But nothing in its past prepared Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish for the crisis that unfolded Oct. 3 when a fire broke out in the Holy Family school building, causing major damage and disruption and leaving parts of the building beyond repair.
Heavy smoke and flames pour from the roof of Holy Family School in Lakewood during the Oct. 3 fire. Courtesy photoAssessing the Impact
Diocesan and parish personnel have described the damage as “extensive,” but little will be known until the local fire marshal completes an investigation and insurance adjusters are able to do assessments.
Holy Family School on East County Line Road closed as a Catholic elementary school in 2015. The building is owned by the parish and under lease to the Lakewood Board of Education until June 30, 2026; it was the site of the district’s Piner Elementary School until a few months ago.
The school has also been used most weeknights for adult programs, community services and, most significantly, parish religious education classes. It is this program that will experience the greatest impact with some 700 parish children having just returned to a new catechetical year. For the time being, these youngsters are without a place to gather for class, according to the pastor, Divine Word Father Guilherme Andrino.
The parish also rented space to the local Polish school, a cultural group that held classes one night each week. The Polish school was occupying the building when the fire broke out and people had to be evacuated, according to parish leaders. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters from area departments work to contain heavy flames and smoke during the Oct. 3 fire at Holy Family School in Lakewood. Courtesy photo.A Faith Response
Since the inception of the crisis, Father Andrino has spoken several times with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who extended his prayers and support to the people of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The parish has also gratefully accepted the assistance of several diocesan officials who have been present and available to help navigate through the work of investigators and insurance adjusters, as well as clean-up efforts.
In 2015, the Holy Family School community gave thanks for 40 years of faith, family and friends. Monitor file photo.Like the Bishop, Father Andrino also focused on prayer and support when he wrote to parishioners the weekend of Oct. 4 and 5. In his letter, he acknowledged the extent of the damage and its impact on the parish. But, most importantly, he asked for prayers, understanding and unity as the parish navigates through the demands to come.
He wrote, “By now, many of you have heard the difficult news: this past Friday, October 3rd around 7p.m., a fire broke out in the Holy Family Gym.”
Describing the damage as “significant,” Father Andrino said that the fire destroyed the art room, cafeteria, offices and gymnasium. Though he first believed that the classrooms were not impacted, later reports confirm that there is smoke, water and other damage in those spaces as well.
His letter emphasized, “Most importantly, no one was hurt. For that, we give thanks to God.”
Father Andrino went on to say, “It is clear that the gym section will need to be demolished, but we remain hopeful that the classrooms can be preserved. I’ve already spoken with our Bishop and the insurance company to begin discerning the next steps forward.”
According to the letter, religious education classes will be temporarily paused until the parish obtains full clearance from the authorities confirming the safety of the space.
Despite the setbacks, however, Holy Family Church will continue to be used for Masses and liturgical celebrations, Father Andrino assured.
He asked parishioners to stay “united and focused,” adding that, “In times like these, rumors and misinformation can spread quickly. Let us choose faith over fear, and truth over speculation. . . I hold firmly to the belief that God is with us in this moment, just as he has always been. We will rebuild. The material losses can be restored. What matters most is the safety and strength of our community, and that remains unshaken.”
Publishing a Prayer of Protection, Father Andrino issued the following appeal: “Please keep our parish in your prayers. I ask for your understanding and flexibility as we may need to adjust schedules and plans in the coming months. Together, with faith and love, we will move forward.”
Mary Stadnyk, associate editor of The Monitor, contributed to the preparation of this article.
Flames rise from Holy Family School in Lakewood Oct. 3 after a fire broke out in the parish-owned building, causing extensive damage. The school, part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, has long been used for parish religious education classes and community programs. No injuries were reported. Courtesy photo.