A Look at Our New Parish Hall: An Outward Sign Of A Faith Community Fully Alive

March 14 marked a truly joyous occasion here at Our Lady of the Assumption with the dedication of our new parish hall, gym, and preschool building!

Bishop Jaime Soto officiated at the 9 o’clock Mass, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication at the new parish hall. In addition to celebrating the completion of a long-awaited building project, the day also served to honor all of the hard work, dedication, and generosity that made this vision for the future of our parish come alive.

The beautiful new gathering space for our parish was first imagined by former Pastor Fr. Brendan McKeefry. Following Fr. McKeefry, Fr. Michael Kiernan continued to work to make this dream a reality. And now, under current Pastor Fr. Eduino Silveira — and with the continued support of Fr. McKeefry and Fr. Kiernan — our “Fulfilling the Promise” Capital Campaign has come to fruition.

Capital Campaign Chairman Kelly Brothers is thrilled with the way the building project turned out and greatly enjoyed celebrating the final results of the campaign at the dedication ceremony.

“It is better than fantastic,” he says. “The project turned out better than I could have dreamed, and the building is really spectacular. To take the wraps off and let people see it was really exciting. It was great to see so many of our donors there and watch their reactions as they walked through and saw the main kitchen, the hall, and the preschool. I think everyone was happy with the way it turned out.”

Of all the guests who came out for the celebration, Kelly was most excited to see the sheer delight on Nancy Affinito’s face as she first took in the hall and the picture of herself and her late husband, Mario, on the wall. Nancy’s $2 million contribution to the building project is the largest gift that has ever been made in the Diocese of Sacramento.

Without a doubt, our gorgeous new hall is a testament to the generosity of many. Parishioner and retired architect Duane Johnson offered his years of experience and professional insight into the design of the building. The parish employed Comstock Johnson Architects for the project, though parishioner and firm partner Kevin Wilcox donated all of his own time to the project.

The Lucchetti family of Pacific Coast Building Company, longtime parishioners and OLA school supporters, contributed a million dollars to the Capital Campaign in the form of personal gifts and company donations. In a video sent to parishioners introducing them to the new facility, Rocco and Stella Lucchetti can be seen shooting the first baskets in the gym. How exciting it is for our OLA students to finally have a home court for basketball season!

Moving forward, the parish is planning the renovation of the old hall — the original church building — into a new youth center. The parking on that side of the OLA campus will also be redone to make up for the spaces that were lost in the construction of the new hall. The Capital Campaign Committee feels confident that all our parishioners will show the same dedication and generosity to this next building phase. We are pleased to note that the Lucchetti family has already pledged $250,000 to this project!

For Kelly Brothers, the completion of the new hall, gym, and preschool is the outward sign of a faith community fully alive.

“In the last 12 years, OLA as a community has rehabilitated its school and put thousands of dollars into the church,” he says. “Now OLA has built a new hall, preschool, and kitchen. This is a community that understands that renewal is of the utmost importance and that a Catholic community must constantly renew itself in various ways.”

The day after the opening of the hall, Fr. Kiernan made his first visit to the new facility. It was a joyous moment as he stepped through the doors of the hall and took in the sight of a long-held dream finally realized.

“I’ve walked through the new hall and just savored it,” Fr. Kiernan says. “It’s just a beautiful thing. I hope this building is another continuing part of the marvelous story that has been OLA since its founding. 10, 20, and 50 years from now, parishioners will build on what has been achieved and keep the spirit up, continue to live the faith, and be strong Catholic people experiencing fellowship, and doing great things for God.

“This is a sign of the ownership of the people for their parish and their love for it,” Fr. Kiernan adds. “The parish becomes like one’s family, so they have pride and concern and care for it. They live here and die here and are buried here, and their children will do the same — that is the beauty of the community here at OLA. It is a special place with special and dedicated people.”

Kelly Brothers and Nancy Affinito cut the ribbon at the opening of Affinito Hall while Bishop Soto looks on.

Our Lady of the Assumption School Principal, Mr. Robert Love, speaks at the parish hall opening as the school mascot looks on.

Kelly Brothers and Nancy Affinito admire the new gym at the opening and dedication of Affinito Hall.