Milford St. Joseph builds new parish center

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
July 15, 2004

MILFORD - Construction for a new parish center and renovation of the former school building at St. Joseph Church in Milford began last September and should be complete by October this year.

It was decided to construct the new facility to benefit the people of the parish. Parishioners are not directly helping with the actual construction, but they are involved in different committees and overseeing the project.

"We needed better handicap accessibility, so we are putting in an elevator," said Father James Bruch, pastor at St. Joseph. "The steps going down to the basement of the church were in poor shape. There was also a need for a gathering place other than the church basement."

In the former school building, two classrooms are being turned into a new kitchen and offices, so two new classrooms are being added to the parish center. According to law, the present school building needs to be brought up to code with fire prevention etc., explained Father Bruch.

"Our parish has a lot of dinners and gatherings like that, and it will certainly be used for that," said Father Bruch. "Some people have inquired about using it for wedding receptions and of course funeral dinners. There will be a new kitchen in it which will really assist to help that."

The new center is connected to St. Joseph with enough space in between so that light can still hit the stained glass windows. The entire facility will also be air-conditioned, including the former school building.

"I am very pleased with the way that people are supporting it and the visitors that support it," said Father Bruch.

According to Father Bruch, money for the building has been and is being raised by pledges made over a five year period, plus different fund raising events, including a dinner/auction, raffle tickets and people invited to purchase certain items as memorials.

"The family that plays together, stays together, and this is definitely a family parish," said Dr. Michael Sketch, a parishioner at St. Joseph. "Many of the parishioners are involved in parish activities. This will provide wonderful facilities for the parish family to meet and to conduct activities of all descriptions. It will fulfill the community spirit."

Sketch added that the new parish center will better allow the parish family to get to know each other and take care of one another.