In a rite rich in symbolism, the parishioners of St. Mary's Church in Palmdale celebrated the dedication of their new church --- fittingly, on Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

It was the second time in its 105-year history that a new church was dedicated on the feast day. First established in 1890 as a mission to Sacred Heart Church in Lancaster, the parish has seen tremendous growth in recent years --- currently, to 8,300 families.

The new church --- designed by Dan Young and built by Matt Construction --- more than doubles the seating capacity of the previous church, from 600 to 1,400, desperately needed for the growing Antelope Valley parish (which also has three parochial missions: Acton, Littlerock and Lake Los Angeles).

Cardinal Roger Mahony congratulated parishioners for making their new worship space reality in little over two years time. At the same time, he told them that it is those who are baptized who "make the building something important."

For baptized Catholics, he said, the importance of the dedication of a new church is a reminder of how Christians are called. "We need to reflect on our relationship with the Lord Jesus," he noted. "Our life and good works will reflect that relationship."

The various cultures and languages of the people of St. Mary's Church were represented in the music and language of the dedication rite. Msgr. Stephen Downes, pastor, and other priests anointed the four main walls of the church with holy chrism and Cardinal Mahony anointed the altar. The relics of the martyr St. Candidus were also deposited in the altar as a reminder that early Christians often celebrated the Eucharist over the tombs of martyrs. Following Communion the Eucharist was taken in procession to inaugurate the Blessed Sacrament chapel behind the sanctuary of the new church.

Prior to the dedication of the new church, 20-year parishioner and head usher Tony Aranzazu looked around his new parish church in awe. "It means so much to me and my whole family," he said. "I feel like crying and I feel my body chill. It is a tremendous emotion that I cannot explain. Many, many years and we finally got it."

Msgr. Downes has been very important to the completion of the dream for the parish, said Aranzazu. "Msgr. Downes is a very hard working priest and we have been blessed. There has been a total change for our community." He added that in his parish community "there is no color, no race --- none of that. We are all the same and we work together under Monsignor's direction. He is the best."