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JANUARY 1, 2009
Catholics hail start of construction
BULLHEAD CITY — Many people dislike construction zones. Some Catholics recently cheered to find one.
Parishioners and key city leaders celebrated the start of construction for the new St. Margaret Mary church Dec. 16.
The $3 million facility — which is fully paid for — is expected to bring jobs to the community and in turn help the local economy.
“People of St. Margaret Mary, we’ve been waiting for this day for almost 16 years,” said Fr. Peter Dobrowski, pastor.
Through much prayer, including special Masses and novenas, combined with persistence regarding the design and available funds, parishioners can finally say that their new church is on its way.
They stood by and cheered as the general contractor handed the equipment keys to Art Alvarez, the project’s subcontractor. When Alvarez, a fellow parishioner, revved the equipment’s motor, Fr. Dobrowski and Fr. Julius Kayiwa, parochial vicar, threw streamers in to the air.
Duncan Stroik, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, volunteered to be the project’s architect after he was captivated by the building site during a parish visit several years ago. He spoke of the movement to recover authentic Catholic building styles in new churches.
The new St. Margaret Mary will be a mission-style church holding more than three times as many Catholics as its current worship space, where only 300 churchgoers can sit comfortably during each Mass.
“Our new church will speak a message to our whole community as a visible expression of our faith,” Fr. Dobrowski said.
— Barbara Starbeck
Musician invites Catholics to ’Come to the Quiet’
Recording artist Michael John Poirier invites fellow Catholics to join him for an evening of songs, prayers and testimonies at two Valley parishes.
He’ll celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with Catholics Jan. 6 at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Scottsdale. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and focuses on the theme “Turn Down the Noise. Come to the Quiet.” A free-will offering will be accepted. Catholics can go to Mass at 5 p.m. followed by a simple meal and the concert.
St. Maria Goretti is located at 6261 N. Granite Reef Road. For more information cal (480) 948-8380.
Poirier will also perform 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at St. Anne Parish in Gilbert. The evening of worship also includes a holy hour of eucharistic adoration. Additionally, Poirier will lend his talents to the parish choir during the weekend Masses.
St. Anne is located at 440 E. Elliot Road. For more information, call (480) 507-4400.
St. Vincent de Paul thrift store re-opens
FLAGSTAFF — Catholics celebrated the newly expanded St. Vincent de Paul thrift store last month with a blessing and dedication followed by a little shopping.
“It was the best sales day in its 40-year history and a great festive occasion,” said Barbara Packard, the store’s full-time volunteer manager for the last eight years.
Fr. Pat Mowrer, pastor of San Francisco de Asís Parish, offered the dedication and blessing.
Joe Riley, president of the St. Vincent de Paul board, expressed his gratitude to the conference’s 80 volunteers who helped make the day a reality. The store nearly tripled in size to 11,000 square feet and now includes a state-of-the-art warehouse which will increase service to the poor.
— Catherine Hanley
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