St. James's breaks ground

Parish built faith while waiting to build new church

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, and pastor Father George Edattukaran pose
with youth from St. James's Parish after a ground-breaking ceremony for the parish's
new church Nov. 18. Children were encouraged to decorate their yellow hard hats.
Photo by Nathan Rumohr / The B.C. Catholic.

It took them 19 years but the community of St. James Parish will finally have a Church to worship in. The B.C. Catholic was at the recent groundbreaking ceromony attended by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB:

"Despite the usual November rains, this is a special day, long awaited by this community," declared Archbishop Miller. He complimented the parishioners on their determination and patience.

"You have worked hard, but more than just raising the necessary funds, you have come together and built a community of faith, which is more important than any building," the archbishop added.

Jim Hargrave, chairman of St. James' pastoral council, observed, "What we have seen is a committed people who feel a sense of community in their worship, friendship, and spiritual growth. As a result we have a very loyal core, which is going to grow."

Malcolm Roddis, chairman of St. James's building committee, said the church, initially, will seat 400 people, plus 100 in the foyer. The design will accommodate expansion.

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.