Archbishop Nelson Pérez last week visited St. Christopher Parish, 13305 Proctor Road in Somerton, to bless and dedicate a new community center and gymnasium.
The 12,000-square-foot facility will provide the St. Christopher community with a place to host activities such as basketball, volleyball, dance and theater.
Perez was joined by Monsignor Joseph Garvin, pastor at St. Christopher for 27 years; JoAnne Osborn, principal of St. Christopher School; and more than 330 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Others on hand included Common Pleas Court Judge John Sabatina Jr. and his wife Eileen; state Rep. Martina White; state Sen. Jimmy Dillon; and Alice Udovich, a St. Christopher parishioner and aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill.
Garvin thanked Sabatina, a former state senator, and White for helping to deliver $2 million for the project and Dillon for working on another $1 million.
The longtime pastor also described the students as “very good kids” who come from “very good families.”
In his homily, Perez described it as a “wonderful day” for the parish.
“Today is a day of gratitude,” he said.
Perez called the gym “an expression of God’s love.”
A student presented the archbishop with a spiritual bouquet.
The gym’s bleachers are green, the school colors.
The circular image at center court features St. Christopher carrying the baby Jesus.
The facility has a full basketball court and two full side courts.
There are two scoreboards, a kitchen and concession stand, bathrooms, high ceilings, natural lighting and a stage with a handicapped-accessible ramp.
A number of parishioners attended the ceremony, along with state Senate candidate Joe Picozzi, a St. Christopher graduate. ••
