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Foxfield parish dedicates $8 million parish center
By Julie Filby
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Photo by James Baca/DCR |
On Jan. 8, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, 400 people attended the blessing and dedication of the new St. Joseph Ministry Center at Our Lady of Loreto Church in Foxfield.
The $8 million, 35,000-square foot center consists of a parish hall (Holy Family Hall), 12 classrooms, a library and resource center, and meeting space for classes and ministries such as youth groups, faith formation, and marriage and family life ministries.
“We’re all very excited about the center,” said Msgr. Edward Buelt, pastor of the parish that ministers to some 3,000 households. “It has been a dream of the parish to have a ministry center, hall, youth center, and (eventually, a) school from the beginning.”
Bishop James D. Conley, apostolic administrator of the Denver Archdiocese—who returned from a visit to Rome just the night before—celebrated 11 a.m. Mass at the church then led a procession to the center for its dedication.
“In his homily on Friday for the Epiphany, Pope Benedict spoke about … the journey of the wise men from the East as ‘just the beginning of a great procession that continues throughout history,’” said Bishop Conley. “A procession of followers who come to Christ, who is the light of the world. …
“We are part of that long procession in history, for we are here this morning to dedicate the St. Joseph Ministry Center, which will become a place where people, young and old, rich and poor, will come to get to know Jesus Christ better through education, catechesis and pastoral ministry,” he continued. “And will come to love him in a deeper and more profound way.”
Naming the center in honor of St. Joseph “could not be more fitting,” said Bishop Conley.
“The ministry of St. Joseph was defined by trust, fidelity and unwavering service to Jesus Christ,” he said. “God called St. Joseph to serve the Lord, and today he is calling us.”
Msgr. Buelt said prior to the dedication, the center was already being used for religious formation and youth ministry.
“We’ve worked out some of the kinks ... (and) we are using the center fully,” he said. “Many of our ministry groups have moved in and are taking full advantage of this great resource. Our ministries are even expanding and growing now that we have a new home for them.”
Construction started shortly after the groundbreaking Sept. 12, 2010. Davis Partnership Architects was lead architect, with Faleide Architects P.C. providing design expertise on the educational center. Haselden Construction provided construction services.
“We were very pleased with the cooperation and competency of all those involved,” said Msgr. Buelt.
The parish is in the fourth year of a five-year $13.5 million fundraising initiative dubbed “Fulfilling Hope Initiative.” The next phase includes plans to add a gymnasium, music room, theater, classrooms and administrative space. At the end of the initiative, the parish will evaluate their status to determine future construction.
“We began (the initiative) just as the economy suffered its global downturn,” said Msgr. Buelt. “Yet we hung in there and through the generous and faithful sacrifices of so many in the parish … we were able to raise the $8 million to complete the east wing.
“I, and the parish leadership, remain indebted to and grateful for all those who have contributed to the construction of the new center through their prayers, support and sacrifices.
“The opening of the center,” he said, “in some sense brings to an end the birth of the parish.”Our Lady of Loreto, established in 1998, is located at 18000 E. Arapahoe Road, near the intersection of Arapahoe and Parker roads.
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