Cardinal Dolan Blesses Renovated St. Lawrence O'Toole Church at Centennial Mass

Cardinal Dolan was a special guest at the Centennial Mass on Saturday, June 27th at 6 pm at the newly renovated St. Lawrence O’Toole Church 31 Prospect St. Brewster, NY. The mass took place exactly 100 years – to the day – of the opening of the stone church which was on June 27, 1915. 

Over 450 parishioners greeted the Cardinal as the Knight of Columbus 1495, in 4th Degree regalia, escorted him down the main aisle. During the mass, the Cardinal blessed the altar with special consecrated oil. After the mass, a wonderful reception was held in the parish center where Cardinal Dolan personally greeted the Parishioners. Vincent LaRusso, Grand Knight of Council 1495 St. Lawrence observed, “Cardinal Dolan is a wonderful, jovial man. He greeted everyone with genuine sincerity and kindness.”

According to their website, the Church underwent extensive interior refurbishing of the sanctuary, walls, floors, pews, stained glass windows, and the building of an extension to house a sacristy, new confessionals, and a dedicated Adoration Chapel. The renovation included improved handicap accessibility to the Church, as well as created ample new spaces for gathering and fellowship inside and outside the Church. Exquisite care was taken to preserve the traditional look and feel of the Church.

Fr. Richard Gill, the parish administrator, tried to save as much money as he could on this over 3 million-dollar project. The Stations of the Cross were send out and re-painted by skilled artisans. Items were re-purposed, restored or renovated to meet the needs of the church community and has invigorated the spirit of the parishioners.  The church has a brighter, more open feel.

Most of the funds were received via grants and donations. The parish’s Catholic Daughters of America donated a beautiful stained glass rose window that is located above the altar. The Knights of Columbus donated another stained glass window with saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which graces the entrance of the church and can be seen best when looking at the choir loft from the inside of the Church. In addition, the Knights donated over $150,000 to the church from their outstanding fundraising efforts. All these and more, leave the parish with very little debt. However, donations are still graciously accepted. Visit www.stlawrenceotoole.org for more information. 

To learn more about, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York visit  http://archny.org/timothy-cardinal-dolan.

 

Photo credit: Phyllis LaRusso