Sacred Heart completes its renovation with a dedication

By Margaret M. Russell
The Catholic Free Press
HOPEDALE – Blessed with 860 active families, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish had no shortage of talent to draw from for the renovation of their church and parish center.
And the outpouring of help was quite a community-builder, said Father William C. Konicki, pastor.
“I was overwhelmed at all times with their help,” he said.
This past Saturday Bishop McManus dedicated the rejuvenated church and marble altar at the afternoon Mass. Later a crowd of several hundred gathered for a gala dinner to mark the accomplishments of many hands.
Five years ago the parish began a capital campaign to fix some issues with the church that was built in 1963. Asbestos floor tiles were popping up and there were leaks in the roof of the church and parish center.
“As money from the capital campaign came in we did things a little at a time so we didn’t have to take out a loan,” Father Konicki said. They ended up spending $860,000 and the renovation was completed about 18 months ago. “We didn’t borrow a penny,” he said.
All work was done with an eye toward conserving energy too. The roofs on the parish center and church were insulated, gutters were replaced and the stained glass windows were repaired and sealed. They replaced an oil furnace with a propane one that is more efficient.
The front doors of the church never worked properly, long-time parishioners told the pastor one day when he was struggling to lock them, so they took them out and put in new, wider doors as part of the renovation. That change also pleased the funeral directors who have to deal with wider caskets than there were in the 1960s, Father Konicki quipped.
Pews were removed and angled; the tabernacle was moved from the side to the center of the sanctuary, and the “cry” room went from the back to the front.
“Families using the cry room said, ‘All we can see is people’s backs,’ so we brought them up front,” he said. They filled the family room with donated rocking chairs for calming infants and now they have a clear view of the sanctuary.
One thing he learned throughout the process was that the “parishioners love to demolish things.” Whenever there was something to be taken down or moved, the parishioners would tell him, “I can do that, Father.”
They really took ownership of their parish, he said. Electricians and plumbers in the parish volunteered their skills. And two interior decorators also had the freedom to chose colors and fabrics for the finishing touches.
The talent-sharing was obvious and the pastor was open to all suggestions. “They did an incredible job. ... I’m happy to be the sacramental minister - I have others gifts,” he said.
The marble used to refabricate the altar, the credence table and the ambo, and to create a prayer space around the tabernacle, came from the old altar rail which was removed, and put in storage, when then Father George E. Rueger was pastor.
“Old-time parishioners knew where all the marble was stored. It was in three different places,” Father Konicki said.
Bishop Rueger did get to see it finished before he died. Father Konicki said the bishop exclaimed: “Oh my, it’s a dream come true!”
Modern media has a prominent place in the new building and an audio-visual team includes high school students who “have to pay attention” at Mass to keep things working properly, Father Konicki noted as a bonus. A video screen shows the Mass responses and hymns and each week the Mass is live streamed online.
“One of our parishioners had a daughter who was hard of hearing and the family donated all funding for all video system,” he said.
They weren’t sure how the elderly would take to the lack of missalettes but, he said, they are thrilled.     
The parish has a focus on stewardship. “The role of welcoming is central,”    Father Konicki said. When people register, they are invited to become involved, and they do. The renovations have even brought some back to the church, he said.
As for what is next?
“I am working on getting the parishioners who have been inactive, involved again. I am personally writing letters to everybody I don’t see anymore,” he said - it is working.
Parishioners are also gaining the skills needed to begin the conversation with parents who drop kids off for faith formation, but don’t participate themselves.
All in an effort to bring them back to church.  
After the gala celebration, team leader Ernie Chaplin noted, “The Catholic Community of Sacred Heart is on a path to thrive and continues to realize new parishioners every month. These new parishioners see the spirit of energy, welcome, caring, outreach and the everyday relevant spiritual messages every weekend. We are blessed and we now move forward with vigor on our mission of ‘Becoming, Making disciples, Welcoming all to follow Jesus Christ.’”

See Photo Album of Dedication Mass.