Most Blessed Sacrament Church’s beams are signed, ‘steeled,’ delivered (Video, Photos)
Wednesday, June 7, was a significant day in the history of the construction of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes. On this day, the last two pieces of steel were installed. This is significant as the steel pieces will help support the steeple on top of the church. The steeple will be located at the very center of the worship shape and above (and very near to) where the altar will be located.
Church officials and the faithful have been hopeful as the new church is built after the original church was burnt down on December 12, 2019, due to arson. Church officials broke ground on a new church in September 2022.
To celebrate the historical moment of this “steel topping off project milestone,” the students of the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament were invited to visit the site to touch the beams and place their signatures on them. However, this could not occur outdoors as June 7 was one of the days of poor air quality in our area due to the Canadian wildfires.
Nevertheless, the ceremony continued. Tim Goetz of Donnelly Construction suggested that the two beams be brought into the school’s gymnasium, where the students could participate in the signing ceremony safely. The two heavy beams were carefully transported into the gymnasium, and for a moment in time, two significant pieces of the new church became a part of our temporary worship space in the gym.
Story continues after video
Once the students and teachers were assembled in the gymnasium, Father John Job, pastor, conducted a prayer service in which all prayed a decade of the Rosary, and the student choir led us in a few verses of Alleluia! Sing Now with Gladness by Steven Warner and Karen Schneider Kirner. Then, Father Job introduced Goetz who explained the significance of the day’s “topping off” milestone.
Finally, each grade from Pre-K 2 through Grade 8 could touch the beams, sign their names, and leave personal messages. It was truly a moving part of the ceremony.
The two beams were brought back to the work site, and they were carefully hoisted into place.
After the ceremony, students took time to write about their experiences of the day.
Dixon Enrique who is in 7th grade wrote the following: “It was very important to me to sign a beam of the church. This felt very emotional because it meant that all of our names would be one with the church forever. Whenever we enter the new church, we will feel entirely connected to it and to God. This new church means so much to the entire community, and it feels incredibly special to be a true part of it with the signing of my name.”
Charlie Potenza, a 5th grader, shared the following: “When we signed the beam, I felt very emotional. It is a special time because the beam will go into the church, and it will stay there forever. Twenty years from now I will remember that when the church was being built, I signed the beam.”
Sabrina Wojokh, who is also in 5th grade, had this to share: “At the signing of the beam, I felt very honored to be getting to do something so special. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will never forget. I will hold this special day with me for the rest of my life. I am so excited to see what the new church will look like in the months to come. I can only imagine entering it, brand new, for the first time ever, and seeing so many beautiful things. I can’t wait to see the new altar and the stained-glass windows. We have come so far: from the burning down of the church, to watching it be rebuilt. I am honored that I will forever be a part of the new MBS church.”
In addition to the placement of the last two pieces of steel on the structure, other significant milestones have been achieved in the building of the church: the wood roofing of the Chapel of Mary, our Good Mother and the front entryway has been installed; the framing for the front portion of the church has been completed (narthex, restrooms, kitchen, Children’s Liturgy of the Word room and sacristy); the exterior masonry finishes have been delivered and will be applied soon; exterior windows and openings for the stained glass will be installed.
“The parish is grateful for all of the hard work of so many on this project,” Father Job said. “We have come together as a community, and we have made great progress. We ask for God’s blessings upon all of those who have made this possible.”
The parish community joyfully anticipates that the church will be completed in the late Spring of 2024.
To follow the church’s building click here for updates.
PHOTOS AND VIDEO COURTESY OF FATHER JOB
