Parish marks anniversary of church's dedication

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

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Fr. Patrick Elliott, who was pastor of Holy Family Parish from 2005 to 2017, thanks the community for their support.

OGDEN — As sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows at Holy Family Catholic Church on Oct. 21, families and friends flooded the parish pews, preparing to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass for the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the church.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided at the Mass. Concelebrating were Fr. William F. Wheaton, pastor, and Fr. Patrick Elliott, who was pastor from 2005 to 2017. They were assisted by Deacon Lynn Johnson and Deacon Douglas Smith.

“It’s a great moment for all of us to be here today, celebrating this great community and the dedication of this beautiful, beautiful church,” said Bishop Solis as he welcomed everyone to the celebration.

During his homily, Bishop Solis reminded those in attendance that the beauty of the church does not rely on its structure, “it relies on the people that come to celebrate the Eucharist, the guiding presence of God,” he said.

“The beauty of this parish is in the minds and in the hearts of these people who come to get nourished with the graces and presence of God to become an instrument of love to others,” said Bishop Solis, adding that with their faith, support and commitment the parish stands tall.

“The beauty of the faith, the beauty of the people of God gathered in this assembly, and this beautiful structure that was built by the generous heart of the people here, is a blessing of God,” the bishop said.

At the end of the Mass, Fr. Wheaton also thanked the assembly for the anniversary celebration, as did Fr. Elliott.

In his remarks Fr. Elliott also reminded those gathered about the effort that it took to build the church. He recalled the dedication celebration 10 years previously, with the Most Rev. John C. Wester, the ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City and now Archbishop of Santa Fe.

“One thing that you might not know is that right here, below the altar – those stones and that dirt from when they put the shovels down for the first time for the groundbreaking are here,” he said.

The parish’s debt is $200,000, and Fr. Elliott wrote a $1,000 check, challenging the parishioners to beat his bid for paying off the mortgage.

“Actions speak louder than words,” he said several times.

Following Mass there was a reception in the social hall organized by the CCW Association. Many of those gathered could recall how the parish grew.

“We started out in a garage, then we went into a shed, then in a theater, and when they told us this was our first church we loved it,” said Karen Fawbush, referring to the social hall, which served as a temporary church while the permanent one was built.

“Now to see our beautiful church is just overwhelming; it brings tears to my eyes just to think that we were able to build it,” added Heather Moesges.

“We just need to pay off the debt so we can use the money to increase and enhance our parish ministries,” Fawbush said.

Also attending the celebration was Jim Cornfield, who has been a Holy Family parishioner since its beginning; he said he was amazed at how the time has passed.

“It’s just amazing the road that we have walked … what the community is able to do when you work together and everybody pitching in, helping out,” Cornfield said. “Now we just have to pay it off.”