Gulf Pine Catholic

4 Gulf Pine Catholic • November 1, 2019 Former Sacred Heart Church converted to parish hall DEDEAUX -- Bishop Kihneman visited and celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Parish on October 12. His visit was to thank and congratulate the parishioners for their diligence and commitment to pay down the loan on the new church in such a short time. During his visit he also took the opportunity to bless the renovation of the old church. Note: After the completion of the new church in early 2014 the parish had to engage in a 10-year bank loan of over $400,000 to pay down the balance of the con- struction project. Through the generosity of parish community and the leadership of parishioner Philip Malley the loan was paid in full in September 2019. In the meantime the old church building remained unused for over five years after and was deconsecrated in 2014. During the summer of 2019, long time parishioners, Phillip and Janie Malley, convinced pastor Father Bart Kunat that they had a desire to renovate the old church and convert it to a parish gathering center where parish- ioners could assemble after weekend Masses to enjoy fellowship and refreshments. Through their goodness and love of Sacred Heart parish, the Malleys managed and funded most all of the project. Some History: Sacred Heart Mission was established as Sacred Heart Dedeaux Parish on June 1, 1967, and the little chapel was dedicated in 1926. “Dedeaux is a family name of French orgin and some land was donated by members of the Dedeaux family. Shortly after Sacred Heart was established as a parish a rectory was built. The old Sacred Heart Church has had many dedicated pastors throughout the years, begin- ning with the first pastor William “Bill” Vollor, then Father George Murphy, Father Tony Arguelles, Monsignor Joseph Mercier, Father Dennis Carver, Father Doan Tran, Father Michael O’Connor and the present pastor Father Bartosz (Bart) Kunat. Religious sisters who served in ministry at the old Sacred Heart Church are Sr. Marilyn Salamone, Sr. Siena Wahl, Sr. Florence Young and Sr. Rebecca Rutkowski. The parish began to grow along with the surrounding community and construction for a new church started in late 2011 and completed in 2014. Pg 4 3 Members of the Malley family are pictured with Bishop Kihneman. From l-r, Phillip Malley, David Malley, Jannie Malley and Janene Malley. Photos/Juliana Skelton