By SAM GALSKI (Staff Writer) – Jamie Pesotine (Photographer) – Standard Speaker Hazleton

The Rev. Robert Yori couldn’t be happier to see new life breathed into the parish where he celebrated his first Mass in 1961.

Yori, a retired priest who lives in Hazleton, was among dozens of local dignitaries and former parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church who attended dedication services Wednesday for a new family center that Catholic Social Services will operate from the former church.

“I was Baptized here, received my first Communion here, received Confirmation here and celebrated my first Mass in 1961,” Yori said with a smile. “What a great consolation it is to see this utilized as one aspect of our mission as a church. It’s wonderful.”

Consolidation in the Diocese of Scranton in 2009 folded the South Church Street church into Annunciation Parish at St. Gabriel’s Church in Hazleton. The building, which had served as the only Tyrolean Roman Catholic parish in the nation, is next to Catholic Social Services’ offices inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s former school and rectory.

On Wednesday, Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph Bambera took part in dedication ceremonies for Catholic Social Services’ Our Lady of Mount Carmel Family Center, which adopted the former parish’s name.

Although the liturgy will no longer be delivered at the church, Bambera and Neil Oberto, who serves as executive director of Catholic Social Services’ local branch, emphasized the importance of carrying out the church’s mission – serving people.

“I think when I consider all the changes that occurred with the churches being closed, this is one of the finest examples of how life continues,” Bambera said. “The church continues – and continues to embrace its goal of service. It’s great testimony to the heritage of this building.”

Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, Diocese of Scranton secretary for Catholic human services, said the diocese was “thrilled” to partner with Catholic Social Services and continue using the building.

Family services programs will be offered from the South Church Street building, which Oberto said was renovated with the hope of maintaining as much of its original integrity as possible.

“We wanted to maintain a lot of the cultural heritage,” Oberto said. “This will serve as a community center for activities and engagements that strengthen families.”

Students from the Keystone Job Corps Center provided in-kind service, as did many volunteers, he said. Contributions from foundations and private parties total $218,000, according to Oberto. Constructions crews remodeled the upper and lower floors as well as the stairwell at the front of the building, and also installed a handicapped-accessible elevator on the north side of the building.

Organizers at Wednesday’s dedication ceremonies recognized the efforts of various volunteers and local dignitaries.

According to Oberto, Catholic Social Services’ local branch served 7,100 families last year, or more than 23,000 people. The community center will ensure the organization continues supporting those families, he said.

“Numbers are important,” he said. “Numbers continue to drive us. But what’s so important is that those numbers represent children and families – individuals who have dignity and self-worth even if they don’t recognize it themselves. Today, we celebrate and dedicate the building as a family center where people can come and celebrate their joys and share their sorrows. We hope to take that to another level with families and strengthen those activities.”

sgalski@standardspeaker.com

Ground Broken on C.S.S. Veteran Housing Project

Taking part in Thursday's groundbreaking were, from left, Andy Reilly, Carol Lee Wajda, Stephen Nocilla, David Warke, Monsignor Joseph Kelly, Ron Evans, Tim Keene and Vincent Martino.

KINGSTON – The decals of apples and books on the frosted glass offered a reminder of the building’s last purpose. Outside, snow was falling on the former grounds of St. Hedwig’s parish. Inside a building that used to be a Catholic school, Vincent C. Martino, president and CEO of Palumbo Construction Management, was showing visitors a room that should be a one-bedroom apartment in five months.

The now-gutted building will soon contain housing for veterans, said Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, executive director of Catholic Social Services, the group organizing the project.

The school closed in 2002, said Diocese of Scranton spokesman Bill Genello. The church celebrated its final Mass in 2007.

Toward the end of its history, the parish was hanging on by fundraisers, Kelly said.

“There simply weren’t enough people. The school population was down so far that there was no way to pay for it all. That doesn’t mean the closing wasn’t hard for the people who went to school there, and their parents, and sometimes their grandparents,” he said.

Former church buildings can only be used for “non-profane uses,” such as the two two-bedroom apartments and 10 one-bedroom apartments planned for the old building.

Veteran’s housing is a way to bring something back to the community and help people who sacrificed for the country, Kelly said.

The apartments were designed with future occupants, who might be disabled, in mind, said Martino. All the showers will be handicap-accessible and handicap railings will run the length of the hallways. The apartments will also have safety grab bars for balance. An elevator will connect the building’s three floors.

A garden will replace the rectory and parking will take the place of the convent. Both buildings have already been demolished. The church will remain closed for now, Kelly said.

The cost of rent will depend on each veteran’s income, and that money should pay for the mortgage and upkeep for the building, Kelly said.

Catholic Social Services originally planned a 30-apartment development on the Zerby Avenue property. Part of the lot is in Kingston and part is in Edwardsville. The 30-unit project would have placed apartments in Edwardsville, but the borough did not grant the required zoning variance.

The renovations are a $2.2 million project. The Luzerne County Office of Community Development is paying for about $400,000 of the project, said Andrew Reilly, executive director of the community development office. Catholic Social Service is paying for the remainder.

Are you interested in Foster Care or Adoption?

Please join Catholic Social Services as we celebrate May as National Foster Care month with the following events.

The Hazleton Ladies’ Ancient Order of Hibernians will present a Mother’s Day Celebration, featuring a concert by recording artists The Irish Lads on Sunday, May 1, 2011.  The event will be held at the Cinema & Drafthouse, 31 W. Broad St., West Hazleton, from 3:30 PM t0 7:30 PM.  There will be a raffle to benefit Catholic Social Services Foster Care Program.  Irish products and food and beverages will be available.  Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling Gwen Boyle at 570-454-6062.  The donation is $5.00.

Mother’s Day Adoption Mass – Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the celebrant and homilist for the annual Mother’s Day Adoption Mass being held on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  This liturgy honors all mothers, especially those who are involved with adoption in some capacity.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Informational open house - Catholic Social Services’ Foster Care and Adoption programs are hosting this event in an effort to inform and recruit those families that may be interested in providing a loving and stable home to children in need within the community.  Informational material and our knowledgeable staff will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding our various programs.

Thursday, May 19, 2011: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Catholic Social Services
214 W. Walnut St.
Hazleton, PA 18201

Music, games and fun will be provided for children!!

** Light refreshments and beverages will be served.

** Registration is required for all attendees by Monday, May 16, 2011.

To register, please contact anyone in the Foster Care/Adoption programs by calling 570-455-1521.