Xavier Center

Media Advisory September 22, 2011 Contact: Joe Aponick (717) 657-4804 x210 www.hbgdiocese.org Gettysburg Church to Dedi...

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Media Advisory September 22, 2011 Contact: Joe Aponick (717) 657-4804 x210 www.hbgdiocese.org

Gettysburg Church to Dedicate $6.7 Million Center Catholic Church and School Expand Space and Offerings Bishop Joseph P. McFadden of the Diocese of Harrisburg will dedicate Xavier Center for St. Francis Xavier parish Gettysburg on September 25 at 3:30 p.m. There ceremony will take place in the center’s multipurpose room at 465 Table Rock Road, Gettysburg. Speakers will include Bishop McFadden, Father Bernardo Pistone, pastor and members of the parish. Bishop McFadden will bless and dedicate the center. The center will be open for tours after the ceremony. The parish’s 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotions will begin at the center at 7 p.m. Bishop McFadden will preach at this service. Harry Holt, Parish Manager, commented, “The new Xavier Center was built to provide the best facilities for both parish and school activities. The parish and school have been experiencing sustained growth for a number of years and we needed to build to accommodate that. In fact plans exist to further expand this wonderful center even further when needed.” The $6.7 million, approximately 32,000 square ft. project includes a new home for the Pre K-8 St. Francis Xavier School and the parish’s religious education program. The center offers a fully furnished computer lab and SMARTboards, a science lab and a fully equipped kitchen that will allow for hot lunches. A multifunction room with a stage will provide space for athletics and for Masses and Liturgies as well. Ample parking and handicapped accessibility is offered along with a new Playground with basketball court. A pond near the facility will allow for expanded environmental science classes. The center will also offer room for adult education programs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Catholic Youth Organization activities, the Parish Council of Catholic Women and the programs for those wishing to learn more about the Catholic faith. Original Stained glass windows, thought to be nearly 100 years old, from the Mercy House chapel on High street were incorporated in to the lobby of the new building lobby. Xavier Center will be home to the parish’s Sunday Spanish Mass as well as an 11 a.m. Mass in English. The parish will continue a schedule of Masses at the historic St. Francis Xavier Church, 25 W. High Street, Gettysburg.

Father Joseph Hilbert, 1994- 2002 a retired priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg who had served as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish from 1994- 2002, plans to attend the dedication ceremony. Father Hilbert was instrumental in initiating the plans for the center. St. Francis Xavier Parish is home to some 2,400 families. More information about St. Francis parish is available at: www.stfxcc.org or by calling Harry Holt 717-334-3919.

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