By Laura Lane
"The Mass was a very memorable occasion," said Sacred Heart's pastor, the Rev. Thomas Gallagher, adding that he was impressed that so many people came on a Friday night -- May 30 -- to an event that had not been planned far in advance. "People are still talking about it, which I think is an indicator of community spirit."
Bishop William Murphy of the Rockville Centre Diocese celebrated the Mass before more than 350 parishioners. The diocese has approved the new church, which will be built in the current building's parking lot.
"I invited Bishop Murphy on May 19 to celebrate Mass with us," said Gallagher. "He saw our groundbreaking as good news and was very enthusiastic about coming. Forty-seven parishes had closed in Allentown [Pa.], and parishes also closed in Syracuse, Troy and Albany, and we were breaking ground on a new church."
Gallagher believes the 55-year-old church will be demolished by the end of August or September. Masses will be held in the parish school's auditorium until the new church opens, which should be in the summer of 2009.
The new, $6.1 million, 11,240-square-foot church will face Merrick Avenue. It will be air-conditioned, handicapped-accessible and seat 665 people on three sides of the altar. To date, parishioners have raised $3.5 million and are working on raising the remaining funds. "We may need a bridge loan to get us through the construction because we still need to pay our bills," explained Gallagher.
The parish is waiting for classes to end at the parish school to fence off the parking lot for construction. The groundbreaking meant a great deal to John Rossi, who has been the co-chairman of the Forward Together in Faith Capital Campaign for the church since 2002. "It was one of the most satisfying moments I ever enjoyed," said Rossi. "The groundbreaking was a milestone to remember as much as the birth of my children. It was an evening filled with the legacy of this fabulous parish."
Rossi believes parishioners will raise the additional money needed for the project and might even exceed that amount. "People are very excited," he said. "I think it's amazing what has been accomplished so far, which has been based on faith."
Others are committed to the new church, too. Andrew Thomann, who leads Sacred Heart's construction committee, plans to remain on the committee until the church is completed. "It was great to see it finally come to a head," he said. "This has been a great team effort by our architectural firm, Burton, Behrendt, Smith; our construction managers, the School Construction Consultant; GII, our general contractor; Sacred Heart's financial and construction committees; and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The Mass was wonderful, and it was a great night."
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
