With hearts overflowing with gratitude, more than 600 parishioners and guests attended the March 6 dedication of Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose, recently rebuilt and enlarged in keeping with the original Mission style architecture beloved by the congregation.

The ceremony began outside the church on the side portico patio as Holy Redeemer's pastor, Father John Foley, welcomed Cardinal Roger Mahony, San Fernando Region Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson and area clergy to the late Saturday afternoon event. After thanking the parishioners for their patience during the years-long planning and construction process, Father Foley unlocked the door of the new church for its first liturgy. The assembly streamed in past the baptismal pool to pews surrounding three sides of the altar.

When all had taken their seats, Cardinal Mahony blessed the water in the baptismal font as a "symbol of the cleansing of these walls and altar." He then sanctified the new church with the Rite of Sprinkling as the parish choir sang "We shall draw water joyfully from the wellsprings of salvation."

The congregation burst into spontaneous applause when Cardinal Mahony congratulated the parishioners at the start of his homily for the extraordinary accomplishment of their "really fantastic" new worship space, allowing greater visibility and participation in contrast to the former "narrow and confining" church built in the 1920s.

Referring to the day's liturgical prayer of dedication, Cardinal Mahony described the church as fruitful, holy, favored and exalted. He explained that the church is holy, not because its members are holy, but because it is founded on Jesus. "The whole structure of the church is built upon the apostles, with Jesus as the capstone…through our baptism, we become members of that large structure, the Body of Christ," said the cardinal.

"In order for the church and for us to be holy, we must remain linked to the source of that holiness, which is Jesus," he declared. "As we come into the house of God, our lives should be touched by our Lord, Jesus Christ, and we, too, should experience change and transformation.

"People should see that you are different --- faithful disciples of the Lord, living out your lives in that same sense of love and mercy, that same sense of care and concern for one another as Jesus did in his life --- that is what helps make this a beacon to others."

In remarks before the recessional, Father Foley said the church is a place of worship in the community and "a prayer."

"I think everything about this church elevates us upward," said Father Foley, receiving applause after thanking Cardinal Mahony and Bishop Wilkerson for bringing the "wonderful liturgy of dedication to us today." He also expressed gratitude to "the many, many people" who made the new church a reality. Father Foley made particular acknowledgement of deceased parishioner Walter Judson of The Judson Studios, specialists in stained glass and church restoration, for help in designing and furnishing the new church.

"Walter, I hope it turned out all right," said Foley.

During a post-liturgy reception at the parish's Healy Hall, project planner Steven Mongeau of L & R Construction Inc., owned by St. Bede's parishioners Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti, said he thinks the new church, which had to be architecturally "shoe-horned" into a tight site, turned out "great."

"It fits the massing and character of the original structure and is complemented by the re-use of the original stained glass windows," said Mongeau. The church also features nine new windows designed by The Judson Studios and an Italian hand-carved crucifix as well as custom-made statues of Mary and Joseph.

"I love the church; I'm so glad they kept the old style," said Virginia Krause, 68, a parishioner since 1981.

Fourteen-year-old Hans Sardo, a Holy Redeemer School 2003 graduate, said he likes the crucifix above the altar showing a "Redeeming" Christ with arms outstretched, "looking over the congregation."

Parishioners Geoff, 43, and Bridget Mousseau, 42, who were married in the old church and who have children in the parish school, said they are very impressed.

"The church has retained its character, but it's been improved in every way," asserted Geoff.

Fellow school parent Chris Lucas said the seven-year project has been a wonderful community effort.

"People are excited," said Lucas.