The Very Reverend Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, celebrated the Mass of Dedication for the new All Saints Roman Catholic Church building at 1534 N. Recker Road.
The bishop was joined in the ceremonies by All Saints pastor Rev. Robert J. Caruso and priests from parishes all over the Valley.
“Despite 112-degree afternoon temperatures, more than 1,000 parishioners and guests, including Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Councilwoman Dina Higgins and Mesa Police Commander Fred Ruhland, turned out on Sunday, June 26 for the dedication event,” said Christine Gray, church administrator. “The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, outfitted in their full-dress uniforms, including high headdresses, were also in attendance.”
Following the two-hour ceremonies, including Mass, attendees were treated to an old-fashioned church picnic reception inside the McKay Hall.
“The first Mass in the new building was celebrated on Holy Thursday in April,” noted Rev. Caruso. “It also is significant that we placed the Blessed Sacrament on Palm Sunday,” he said. Groundbreaking for the new church facilities back on Nov. 1, 2009 had been set to coincide with the Roman Catholic Church’s acknowledgement of Nov. 1 of each year as The Day of All Saints.
Rev. Caruso commended the principal builders, as well as all contributors in prayer and financial support. Principal architects were Bruce Scott and Lorenzo Molino, of HDA Architects. Dan Withers headed D.L. Withers Construction Company, with supervision by John Norbert. Diego Passmore handled the construction. Charly and Dominic Engels, of DomCat Studios, created the stained-glass windows, and Norbierto Gutierrez, of The Wood and Iron Factory, provided pews and altar furnishings.
“The church’s 2,200 registered families are joined each winter season by visitors who swell our attendance to around 4,000,” Rev. Caruso said. “For holiday services, like Christmas and Easter, we often have as many as 6,000,” he continued. “The previous church building, built in 1973, seated only 650, and had outgrown its capacity for the congregation.” With the completion of the new church, there is now seating for 1,800 at each service, as well as additional parking.
“The easy job is done,” said Rev. Caruso, “We’ve built the building. Now, we must continue to build the parish, ministering and contributing to the total community of Mesa.”
For more information about the church, services and activities, visit allsaintsmesa.myownparish.com, or call (480) 985-7655.