St. Francis Church Community Celebrates Parish Hall Rebuild

Editor's Note: The brief speech below was delivered at the restoration celebration at St. Francis of Assisi on Church Street in Naugatuck on Wednesday, Oct. 2, by Chester Cornacchia, chair of the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission. He helped spearhead efforts to rebuild the Donahue Church Hall after it was severely damaged during a heavy rain storm on Aug. 1, 2012. His speech was compelling, so we decided to post it here. Cornacchia told Patch that this was a huge project that involved many, many people from the community and beyond. He thanks all of them in his speech.

Also, we attempted to capture the essence of last week's celebration in the video above. Enjoy. - Paul Singley

Archbishop (Henry) Manselll, Father John Kuzhikottayill, distinguished guests: It has been my profound honor to have played a small role in this restoration.

As Paul said in a letter to the Romans, "Each of us according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members,  and the members do not have all the same function."  

So we,  though many,  are one body in Christ,  and individually we are members of one another. Having many gifts that differ according to the grace that God has given us, Let us use them.

More than one year ago this parish suffered a catastrophic loss. As the sky cleared, God’s presence came forward in unexpected ways to uplift and inspire us.
If you look to your right and to your left you will see a nearly completely restored parish hall.In the same view you will also see members of your community who helped make this day possible.

You are the people from  varied backgrounds, who offered time, talent and toil; some for weeks,  some for days,  some for hours.  Each according to your ability andeach individually determined to strengthen the whole.

Whether it was an impromptu fundraiser, an offer of a free or discounted service, an anonymous donation,  or moral support from a stranger,  God’s presence came forward.

Whether is was a local architect who took this charge personally and visited our site daily, or the many local tradesmen who offered their skills, often for minimal wage, working sometimes late into the night, each looking after our needs, each individually determined to strengthen the whole.

Through these many acts of kindness it became clear that not only was our parish hall being restored, but our faith in God was being reinvigorated.     Our community was telling us that this parish mattered to them and they gave abundantly.

While our community support has been generous, many others with little or no connection to our parish or community helped us in some surprising ways.

I want to share a true story that happened here several weeks ago. As this very hardwood floor was being delivered, the truck driver and his helper, reminded me of the spirit of St Paul’s letter to the Romans. 

Our contractors were very busy and I asked these men if there was any way they could manually unload all of the hardwood flooring from the truck to the rear of the parish hall.  I told them that I would gladly pay them for their time and that it would help us a great deal.

I explained to them that this was a Roman Catholic Church and the wood was being used to rebuild the parish hall.

Although they were members of another faith, their response was immediate and enthusiastic…Placing a hand on my shoulder, the truck driver said, “My Friend, my friend… we will gladly help you.  This is God’s home, no payment is necessary, “it is on our shoulders." 

About an hour and twenty minutes later, after moving more than 200 boxes each weighing more than 80lbs, these men, now sweating and soiled from head to toe called me to sign the paperwork.     I handed them a small cash gratuity for their efforts and I thanked them for their help.
With a smile they politely refused the money and stated, “My friend our religions may be different, but our God is one   and this is his home, and “it is on our shoulders." 

After a few minutes I managed to convince them to accept the money after suggesting that they could put it to a good cause and help someone in need or do a good deed with it.

They reluctantly took the money and we said goodbye. The truck then drove North on Meadow Street. As I headed to my car I could hear the truck heading South on Church Street when I noticed it coming to a stop in front of the Church Steps.

Through the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the driver exiting his truck and climbing the stairs into the church, seconds later he drove off.    
It turns out that he had taken the gratuity money I had given him and placed it in the offertory box of our church, St Francis of Assisi.  Our needs became his toil and once again God’s presence came forward.

Distinguished guests, let us open our eyes and let us appreciate God’s daily presence in all of our lives.

You see folks, we have a choice.  We can see life as a string of meaningless coincidences   or we can spot God’s presence, celebrate it and express gratitude for our blessings. Our faith tells us our choice is clear,   we can believe in miracles,    we can celebrate life and rejoice in hope. We can choose to serve and through that service create a positive ripple effect in the lives of others. This is who we are and that is what we should do.

Each time we enter this hall, let us remember the kindness that people have bestowed upon us. et us do good deeds, let us serve those in need, let us spread kindness and love.Let us live our faith daily and inspire others  to do the same.

Let us remember that  “we,  though many,  are one body in Christ,  and individually  we are members of one another.” 

“My friends, my friends, This is God’s home and it is on our shoulders." 

- Chester Cornacchia, chair of the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission