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Centennial gala celebrates seeds of faith
Curt and Jennifer Barcal (from left) and Ted Scales, all of Park Ridge. | Natasha Wasinski~For Sun-Times Media
St. Paul of
the Cross
Centennial Grand Gala
WHEN: June 16
WHERE: Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, Rosemont
ATTENDED: 500
INFORMATION:
spcchurch.org
Article Extras
Updated: July 29, 2012 6:18AM
St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Park Ridge and 500 of its supporters marked the vitality of the parish and toasted its future at the Centennial Grand Gala on June 16 in the newly renovated Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont.
Dinner, dancing and entertainment by popular local band the Ginge characterized the penultimate event of a yearlong centenary celebration.
“I feel like the father of the bride: excited, nervous and broke,” said the Rev. Britto Berchmans, known by St. Paul parishioners for his comedic one-liners as much as his Catholic faith.
The goals of the parish in its centenary year were three-fold: to remember the past with gratitude, refresh spirits and relationships, and rededicate promises to themselves and others.
The guests’ parting gift, a seedling, served as reminder of their commitment to nurture and help grow in their faith and church.
“May our parish grow to be a large tree where all people can find a home,” Berchmans said.
