The new Mission of Hurricane purchases a facility

Photo courtesy of Michael Lee

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This building is the new mission facility in Hurricane. It is approximately 3,100 square feet. The front one-third will house a thrift store, and the back two-thirds will be used as a multi-purpose center.

HURRICANE — A feasibility study and a capital campaign has begun under the direction of Father Gustavo Vidal, pastor of Saint George Parish, with Walsh & Associates Church Fundraising to build a facility for the Catholics in Hurricane.

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, selected Hurricane as a mission area in need of a facility," said Michael Lee, director of pastoral operations for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

"Hurricane is an area that has been serviced by Fr. Vidal and various deacons from Saint George Parish," said Lee. Fr. Vidal celebrates Mass on the third Sunday of the month in American Legion Hall in Hurricane. On the first Sunday of the month a Sunday celebration in the absence of a priest, a (SCAP) service is held."

"For some time the people of Hurricane have been organizing for prayer and Bible study in order to form a community so that they could eventually have their own church," said Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald. "The Catholics in Hurricane are quite a distance from Saint George. And, as we know, the Saint George Church is over packed with the growing population in Washington County."

In order to initiate their project, Msgr. Fitzgerald said the Catholic community in Hurricane has opened a thrift store, which has been very successful. They have come together as a community with a monthly Mass and SCAP service, and they have initiated a feasibility study for fund raising in order to build or obtain a facility.

"We were very fortunate that we found available a building which has been purchased by the Hurricane community by taking out a loan from the Diocesan Deposit and Loan Fund," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "They are going to have the building renovated. It is now under construction."

Lee said the building housed numerous offices. Plans are currently underway for the redesign of the interior to accommodate the Twice Loved Treasures Thrift Store, which is operated by Hurricane parishioners.

"Hopefully after Easter the facility will be ready to open," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "At that time they will be able to move their thrift store to the front part of the new building. In the back of the building will be a multi-purpose center where they will gather for Bible study, catechism classes, socials, and a monthly celebration of Mass, and a SCAP service.

"The building will be named the Saint Paul Catholic Center," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "Bishop Wester suggested that name in honor of the Year of Saint Paul that we are celebrating. The people are to be commended for their patience, sacrifice, and their willingness to do their part in the growth of the Church for the future."

Lee said Hurricane is approximately 20 miles to the northeast of Saint George and is on the way to Zion National Park, Kanab, and the Grand Canyon.

"The facility was going to be built on a five-acre parcel previously purchased with Diocesan Development Drive (DDD) funding and other funding," said Lee. "However it was found that the five-acre parcel was too remote and undeveloped to make it feasible to build a mission facility.

"Realtors Richard and Suzanne DeMaio, Saint George parishioners, and their associate, Theresa Joers, were retained by the diocese to find a suitable facility or vacant property, and asked to keep the search confidential.

Lee said on Nov. 25, the property was put under contract. On Dec. 7, Msgr. Fitzgerald celebrated Mass at American Legion Hall in Hurricane, and announced the pending acquisition of the property as a mission facility. The property closed on Dec. 16. It is estimated the remodeling will be done in a few months with a tentative dedication scheduled for May 17.