Previous parish priests participated in the day’s events (From left to right) Deacon Edward Rositas; Pastoral Associate, Fr. Charlie Garza; Pastor, Deacon Geoff Unger; Bishop Joe Vasquez; Seminarian Antonio Aviles; Fr. Greg Romanski; Fr. Ed Koharchik; Fr. James Evans; and Deacon Dan Pearson. PHOTO BY Bruce Fisher Photography
On the alter during mass: Deacon Geoff Unger; Father Charlie Garza (St. Martin de Porres Pastor); Fr. James Evans, Bishop Joe Vasquez (Diocese of Austin); Father Ed Koharchik (former St. Martin de Porres Pastor, currently Pastor at St. Vincent De Paul); Father Greg Romanski, and Seminarian Antonio Aviles. PHOTO BY Bruce Fisher Photography
Bishop Joe Vasquez blessing the St. Dymphna statue. Altar server Jane Unger accompanying. PHOTO BY Bruce Fisher Photography
Bishop Vasquez dedicates New Dymphna Center at St. Martin
Bishop Joe Vasquez, of the Diocese of Austin, held mass in the newly constructed St. Dymphna Center at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church on Sunday Feb. 17, and dedicated the new building.
Participating in the mass and dedication were the three priests previously assigned to the parish-- Fr. James Evans, Fr. Ed Koharchik, and Fr. Greg Romanski—as well as St. Martin’s current pastor, Fr. Charlie Garza; and currently serving deacons—Dan Pearson, Edward Rositas, Geoff Unger, and seminarian Antonio Aviles.
The building which can seat about 400 parishioners for mass was filled to capacity, and a reception with food and beverages was held immediately after the bishop’s mass.
In a statement in the bulletin, Father Garza thanked various people for the new building. “This weekend we are dedicating the St. Dymphna Center! It is the culmination of years of planning by so many people,” Father Garza said. “I am very proud of how our community has come together to accomplish this great work. I wish to express my appreciation to the Building Committee for their hard work. They have been working for years to design the St. Dymphna Center.”
The St. Dymphna building committee, led by Michael Monaghan, consisted of David Boone, Flint Callaway, Walt Graner, Dawn Hans, Stacy James, Carroll Kelly, and Marty Murphy.
Father Garza also thanked Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters of Americas, and Deacon Edward Rositas for heading the dedication committee.
Going forward, the new St. Dymphna center will host the 11 a.m. Sunday mass, as it is the most heavily attended weekend mass. The other masses will continue to be celebrated in the main church tabernacle building.
St. Dymphna is the patron saint of mental illness, and the multi-use-center is intended to serve a part in upcoming health initiatives by St. Martin de Porres.