Arlington Heights church celebrates groundbreaking achievement
Hard hats were donned and shovels grasped, as parishioners of St. Edna Catholic Church in Arlington Heights gathered Sunday to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new Parish Life Center.
Years in the making, the new center is the fulfillment of the wishes of steady parishioners like Arlington Heights resident JoAnn Klopack, a 16-year member of the parish.
"This is the most blessed day," she said. "We have been waiting so long for this opportunity."
Another longtime parishioner, Arlington Heights resident Phil Bares, said the center will provide much-needed space for youth activities.
The crowd stood outside on a brisk but sunny day, filled with hope for the future, as the Rev. Bob Heidenreich presided over the ceremonies kicking off construction of the new, 13,700-square-foot parish center on the east side of the church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road.
The $5.7 million facility will host social functions, theater performances, athletics and other parish programming.
Heidenreich credited the efforts of those who preceded him, including former Pastor Jerry Jacob.
"I was just here to pick up the ball and carry it across the goal line," he said.
Archdiocese of Chicago Auxiliary Bishop George Rassas was among those attended the ceremony. He was an important support of the project, Heidenreich said.
Rassas said the archdiocese is committed to renewing the church parish by parish.
"What we're providing here is certainly a sign of the vitality and the generosity and the sacrifice of everyone here at this parish faith community of St. Edna," he said.
Attesting to the efforts was Mike Maloni of the parish's Building Committee.
"Today we celebrate the courage and faith of this community, which brought us to where we are today," Maloni said.
Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes called Sunday a great day in the history of one of the village's active churches.
"We take a lot of votes at the village board level, and one of my favorite votes is when I get to vote on church expansions, because I think it says a lot about our community," he said.