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MOVING MASSES

Lake George Catholics hold liturgies in parish center

Weekends at Sacred Heart Church in Lake George have a different feel this summer.

Due to renovations to the summer church hall, all weekend Masses have been moved to the parish center. According to Rev. Thomas Berardi, pastor, the change on the weekend of June 20 went smoothly.

"So far, it's been very positive," he said. "The bulk of the people coming at this point have been tourists and they are very open [to the move]. They're happy there's a place for Mass."

The actual church at Sacred Heart is still open; but, due to its small size and the increased number of Mass-goers in the summer, it is unable to fit enough people for their weekend Masses. 

According to Father Berardi, about 1,200 people attend Mass at Sacred Heart each weekend during the summer, the height of the tourist season in the Adirondack Mountain town; approximately 400 attend the rest of the year.

Accommodate, renovate
For years, to accommodate that seasonal swell of Catholics, Masses have been held in the summer church hall, a separate building behind the church. This year, however, an additional entranceway is being built in the church hall, along with renovations to the entire interior.

Father Berardi described the project as trying to give the church "a little Adirondack flair and style."

The concern that using the parish center would cause some problems has vanished. 

Not only do the tourists enjoy the change, but Sacred Heart's year-round parishioners seem to, as well.

"I was skeptical at first," admitted parishioner Mickey Onofrietto, but concluded that "it turned out to be workable."

Though there has been some improvising - a closet is being used as a sacristy; two rooms have chairs set up diagonally to see the Mass; speakers have been added to help Catholics hear the liturgy - Mrs. Onofrietto said she still feels right at home.

"It doesn't give you the impression of being temporary at all," she stated.

Fun at work
With the renovations comes labor, of course. Parishioners of Sacred Heart calling themselves "The Fun Bunch" have been lending a hand with moving, cleaning and lugging.

Why the nickname? "We enjoy it," explained Dominic DeSanno. "We complain about it, but we do the work and we get a kick out of it."

Mr. DeSanno said parishionbers need to maintain a positive attitude amid the inconvenience of renovations. For his wife, Josephine, it's all about giving back to the community: "Whatever we do or have to do, we're happy to do it," she told The Evangelist. "We just love our parish; what can I say?"

The renovations are expected to be finished next spring. Until then, Father Berardi will continue to welcome new and old faces to the parish center.

"The summers are always enjoyable here meeting people who come from different places throughout the country and Canada," said the pastor. "Because of all the tourists, the whole nature of the parish is a little different from a regular parish."

(07/09/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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