THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 39, NO. 40 | JUNE 8, 2018
CELEBRATION IN MARYSVILLE
After nine years, St. Gregory the Great Parish in Marysville celebrated the dedication of its new church
‘WE DID THIS TOGETHER’
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG
Father Nathan Haverland, pastor, assists as Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann places relics of St. Gregory the Great and others in the altar at the dedication of St. Gregory Church in Marysville on May 26.
By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
M
ARYSVILLE — The first words of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s homily expressed sentiments shared by many at the dedication Mass of the new St. Gregory Church here on May 26. “Wow,” he said. “It’s pretty impressive — very beautiful.” Parishioners looked about with delight as they processed inside their beautiful new church for its first Mass. The church’s dedication marked a journey begun in 2009. Parish leadership determined that the church built in 1975 should be renovated for a parish hall, and the parish hall demolished so a new church could be built in its place. The total cost of the project was approximately $8.2 million. Now St. Gregory Church, its steeple
topped by a shining gold cross, is once again the highest and most prominent structure in Marysville. The day began with an opening prayer by Archbishop Naumann over all those gathered at St. Gregory School. The group then processed across the street to the front doors of the church. There, the archbishop received the key to the front door from Don Landoll, building committee chairman; the plans from Mark Franzen, president of HTK Architects from Overland Park; and the certificate of occupancy from Don Stallbaumer, project manager for general contractor AHRS Construction of Bern. The archbishop then handed the key to pastor Father Nathan Haverland, who opened the door so all could enter. During the Mass, Archbishop Naumann blessed the water in the baptismal font and then the people and walls with holy water. The dedication rites took place after
the creed and the Litany of the Saints. Assisted by Father Haverland, Archbishop Naumann placed the relics of the parish inside the altar: St. Gregory the Great, the North American Martyrs, St. Joseph, the true cross and St. Anthony of Padua. After the prayer of dedication, the archbishop anointed the altar with sacred chrism, and Father Haverland and Abbot James Albers, OSB, of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, anointed 12 gold-colored crosses with candle holders evenly spaced on the walls around the church. The archbishop incensed the altar, and members of the Altar Society dressed the altar for Mass. Archbishop Naumann was joined at the altar by Father Haverland, Abbot James, Msgr. Thomas Tank, Father Arul Carasala, Father Greg Hammes, Father Bob Hasenkamp and Father Reginald Saldanha. Deacon Colin Haganey assisted, and Father Bruce Ansems was >> See “NEW” on page 10
The new St. Gregory Church in Marysville was dedicated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on May 26.