Archbishop turns sod on Sunshine Coast

Ground breaking ceremony held for new St. Mary's church

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, (middle) is joined by Father Vincent Nguyen, CSJB, (left) and Father Kiran Thumma, SAC, at the construction site for a new church in Gibsons.
(Paulette Sheldon / Special to The B.C. Catholic.)

The ground breaking ceremony for a replacement building for St. Mary’s church in Gibsons, B.C., occurred Aug. 3.

Archbishop Miller celebrated Mass with Father Vincent Nguyen, the pastor of St. Mary's, and assistant pastor Father Kiran Thumma as concelebrants.

Archbishop Miller also shovelled alongside Dora Seward (left), Agatha MacKenzie, Mavis Wilson, and Diane Fromager.
(Paulette Sheldon / Special to The B.C. Catholic.) 

Father Nguyen explained to The B.C. Catholic that the new church will have a capacity of 280 parishioners.

Over 100 people attended the ground breaking, including a Knights of Columbus honour guard. Construction started Aug. 19 and is expected to take nine months.