“Fr. Larry wanted to make it look like a church again,” says Rick Lair, whose company, King Richard’s Religious Artifacts, played a major role in the massive makeover of the 100-year-old Peoria landmark. What he means is, they wanted it to look like the churches we remember from childhood, the ones that enveloped us in such grandeur that we felt we were halfway to heaven.

On Oct. 29, the day the results of his work will be revealed to the public, Rick is running around like a proud papa, snapping pictures of the high altar, the intricate inlay of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the center aisle, the 29 paintings of saints of the Americas that line the upper walls.

It’s no wonder he’s excited: From the marble floor to the symbolically red ceiling, the church is spectacular. But there’s something more, something stirring about knowing that these trappings, from the statues to the granite altar to the light fixtures, came from churches that no longer exist as houses of worship. In a sense, Sacred Heart has become a repository for the faith and hopes of legions of people beyond Peoria.

“Some of these items came from a closed church in Scranton, Holy Cross,” Rick says. “The lights are from Our Lady of Victory in Philadelphia. All the statues are from a closed parish in Racine.” The skillful use of recycling extends to the pews, which were stripped and restored, to the stations of the cross, repainted to look marbleized.

As the man behind the master plan for the $3.2 million renovation, Pastor Larry Zurek is feeling the stress of this auspicious occasion. In a parish that sits a few short blocks from subsidized housing, there was buzz about mounting such a costly undertaking. The pressure to please both parishioners and the diocese, as it would be anywhere, was enormous. Stained glass windows promised on deadline have yet to be installed. So today, an hour before the dedication Mass with the bishop of Peoria, Larry is looking a little harried. Fellow friars Bert Heise, Tim Lamb and Luis Aponte-Merced are tying up loose ends and running interference with the press. (Marian Douglas has been in the hospital.) The turnout for this event is expected to be enormous.

And indeed, a full 45 minutes before the Mass, a crowd has gathered in the blinding sunlight across the street, chatting about the ceremonial unveiling. From here, they can see the left-side addition, an expanded entrance to the rectory. “Have you seen inside the church?” one woman asks another. “Let me tell you, it’s breathtaking.”

Obviously, looks matter. But that isn’t the only draw for a church that is, for many, an out-of-the-way drive. “It’s so comfortable, such a warm community,” says Carol Unes, a 15-year parishioner. Tim Cummings is here with wife Maria and 18-month-old daughter Madison. “I like the ‘downtown feel’ of the church,” he says. “You get to know new people all the time.”

A squadron of Knights of Columbus members lines up diagonally outside the entrance, adjusting red capes and plumed headgear, to greet Bishop Daniel Jenky, a man whose handlebar moustache and ample set of whiskers give him the perpetually jovial air of St. Nicholas. The procession begins quietly, solemnly, then disintegrates into laughter when a toddler hollers, “Hi, Father,” to Larry Zurek as he passes through the door.

Parishioners file inside, craning their necks for a look at the paintings of Saints of the Americas. As predicted, there is standing-room only. “It’s fantastic,” says Mary Ann Leighton, a senior citizen who first saw this church at the age of 5. “It needed to be done.”

Bishop Jenky seems as moved as everyone else by the beauty of the surroundings. “Look around for a minute and read the wondrous story of faith written in these bricks and glass,” he says in his homily. “The consecration of this church should serve as a kind of ‘re-remembering’ of our own Baptism and Confirmation and our own first Holy Communion.” He also pays tribute to the Franciscan character of the parish. Like Francis, he says, “May we, too, always love what is beautiful and reverence creation.”

When communion has been distributed, a relaxed and obviously relieved pastor steps forward to give thanks. To thunderous applause, Larry calls forward four artists (from Murals by Jericho) who labored over the paintings of the saints. Steve and David Hodel, the British artists who produced three magnificent windows above the choir loft, are recognized, along with Rick Lair. Larry thanks parishioners for their generosity and credits “the friars who came before,” especially Marne Breckensiek, for their careful stewardship.

“My hope and prayer is that all who come here will have a sense of the presence of the Lord and want to fall on their knees and pray,” says Larry before reminding parishioners of the celebratory luncheon that awaits them across the street at the Civic Center. Most people who have endured a two-hour church service would bolt for the door, but these folks sit tight, soaking up the last strains of a string quartet in an acoustical atmosphere that any music minister would envy. They are in no hurry to leave.

On Oct. 20, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognized a milestone in Uniontown, issuing a citation to St. Anthony Friary “upon the momentous occasion of its 50th anniversary.” It reads: “Established in 1956, St. Anthony Friary has been blessed with both priests and brothers who strive to live in a manner that gives testimony to their spiritual beliefs. Currently serving at the friary are the Reverends Matthew Brozovic, Richard Portasik, Damian Cesanek and Brother Damien Murkley. Their faith, determination, generosity and stewardship have enabled the friary to become a vital and inspiring presence in the community.” On Aug. 6, the House acknowledged Matthew’s 50th jubilee with a similar citation that read: “His service includes his work in the Holy Land in 2000, where he celebrated Mass at Mount Tabor in the chapel of Moses, and he was an English Confessor at the Basilica of the tomb. Reverend Brozovic’s personal faith, leadership and spiritual guidance have enabled St. Anthony Friary to become a vital and inspiring presence in the community, and he deserves deep appreciation for his devotion and commitment.”

The Diocese of Lafayette has appointed Fr. Robert Seay to a three-year term as Chancellor for Holy Family Catholic School in Lafayette.

The week of Nov. 18 and 19, St. Mary’s in Bloomington celebrated the 125th year of Franciscan involvement by publishing a handsome commemorative flyer on the history of the parish.

Nov. 14 was declared Dolores Schmitz Day at the motherhouse (it said so on the proclamation she received) in recognition of her four decades of service to the Franciscan Missionary Union. Dolores, God bless her, has survived six directors and says, “I’ve always enjoyed working here.” Throughout the barrage of flowers, toasts and cake, she kept her cool, as usual.