St. Thomas More Parish grows in faith, space

Intermountain Catholic

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The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and Patti and Roland Allen, members of Saint Thomas More Parish, break ground on the west side of the parish campus, where a new facility will be built to accomodate the needs of the growing number of members. The parish currently serves about 1,200 households. photo courtesy of Linda Boyd

SANDY — American author John Updike wrote in his book "A Month of Sundays" that churches bore the same relation to God that billboards did to Coca Cola: They promoted thirst without quenching it. Lest Updike’s comment became true, parishioners of Saint Thomas More Parish mobilized and raised funds to update and extend the parish’s facilities, said Father David L. Van Massenhove, pastor. "We cannot invite people to join our parish if we do not have anything for them to do, to grow," he said during the groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 22.

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, blessed the ground so that the new facilities would help parishioners and community members open to one another and welcome others as brothers and sisters. Bishop Wester also prayed for the safety of the architects and construction workers during the project.

"For your glory and our well-being, may there be progress day by day," he said.

With a hard hat on and shovel in hand, Bishop Wester then joined Fr. Van Massenhove; Father Paul J. McCarthy, parochial vicar of St. Thomas More; Honorable Kelvyn Cullimore, mayor of Cottonwood Heights; Steve Bartlett, president of the parish council; Jim McNeer, from the building committee; Ray Bachiller, head of capital campaign; and Roland and Patti Allen, parish members, to break ground before the enthusiastic eyes of the community.

The ceremony concluded with a benediction by Fr. McCarthy.

The capital campaign under the name "Growing together in faith," met its challenge goal of $3 million, said Jo Dorsett, director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

The parish was founded in 1981 with 150 families. It currently serves about 1,200 households and has reached its capacity. The project includes the addition of a two-story wing to the existing parish center for more educational classrooms and meeting rooms, a remodeled parish hall, new and remodeled office space, and a new multi-purpose center that will allow the parish to host PARA (Parish Athletic Recreational Association) league events.

"Our current gym is too small. It has no bleachers. It was a small room turned into a basketball court," said Dorsett.

The new multi-purpose center will also provide space for youth ministry activities.

"We want the youth to have their own ‘game room’ with pool and ping-pong tables," said Dorsett.

"Once young people finish their sacraments, they fall away from the church. This will give them more to do with our parish community," said Nora Kennedy, pastoral assistant.

Additionally, the 1.1 acre parcel of land the parish purchased will provide extra parking space and room for the food pantry.

It is estimated the project will be complete in 14 months.