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| Two young parishioners enjoy the return of St. Joseph, St. Michael, and St. Stanislaus to All Saints Parish. The statues formerly used in the three parishes before the merger were refurbished and placed near the entrance to the new parish hall. (Contributed photo) |
BERLIN — All Saints Parish celebrated completion of their phase II building project, which included a new parish hall with a spacious, well-equipped kitchen and an administrative wing.
During the weekend of April 26 and 27, Pastor Fr. Jerome Maksvytis blessed the new additions and joined his parishioners in exploring the new spaces.
Multiple-purpose use
The parish hall is designed to be utilized for multiple purposes, including basketball hoops that are attractively hidden overhead with retracting doors. The floor is a sports carpet with the basketball court outlined in the design of the carpet.
A full table set-up cleverly conceals the basketball court, providing a beautiful room for parish events. Expansive windows on the north side of the parish hall allow for a panoramic view of the city of Berlin. The view serves as a reminder of God’s awesome creations of nature and the changing seasons.
The administrative wing includes several offices, a conference room, library, and choir room. The parish planned the spaces to serve as multi-purpose areas, keeping in mind that parish needs may change in the future.
Merger of three parishes
All Saints Parish officially began on July 1, 2001, as the result of the merger of three parishes: St. Joseph, St. Michael, and St. Stanislaus Parishes.
During the blessing, parishioners were joined by “three old friends” that had been away for a while during the weekend. Three statues of St. Joseph, St. Michael, and St. Stanislaus, from the former parishes, were refurbished and arrived just in time for the blessing.
They have taken their place in the entrance area to the new parish hall, greeting all who enter.
Also, a carving depicting the Last Supper, saved from an altar at the former St. Stanislaus Church, was restored and placed above the interior entrance doors to the parish hall.
The parishioners of All Saints Parish are excited to begin using their new parish hall, welcoming all who walk through the doors, generously serving all those in need, and thanking God for all blessings the parish has received.