Parishioners of the Holy Name of Jesus Church welcomed the return of their newly repaired church and said goodbye to an adored pastor.

At 10:30 on Sunday morning, a special mass marked the reopening with former Archbishop Francis B. Schulte presiding over the ceremony. Emphasizing the importance of community in his homily, Schulte said, “Holy Name of Jesus is not the parish … for you are the parish.”

The service ended with an ovation for the former archbishop and a standing ovation for the Rev. Edwin L. Gros, S.J., Holy Name’s pastor, who will be leaving Feb. 1.

Gros, who was named pastor in January 2006 after the Rev. Tom Stahel, S.J., stepped down due to health problems, will be leaving the parish for a five-month stay in Mexico City before reassignment in El Paso, Texas.

Holy Name Church did not flood during Katrina but received substantial wind damage in several areas of the main roof. Rain further damaged the interior paint and ruined the parquet flooring. Insurance paid for restoring the roof, floors and paint, while parish funds covered preventative repairs to the two lateral flat roofs.

The process eventually required the congregational move to the auditorium of Holy Name of Jesus School.

Paulette Riley, a regular parishioner, called the return to the old church “a homecoming of faith and strength.” Riley said that the parish’s dedication to community service in and around the city is testament to their strong belief in God.

During the 10-month restoration process, members of the parish would often stay afterwards and hold regular post-mass brunches. One parishioner said that the relocation “brought us closer together as a parish.” She further praised Gros’s commitment to keeping the congregation together in times of relocation: “Father Gros has been phenomenal, but we know it’s part of the plan for him to do great things elsewhere.”

Following the mass, Gros was flocked by parishioners eager to give updates on their personal lives and thank him for his contribution – his close relation to the congregation was evident in his knowledge about each member. In a capital campaign drive, he also helped raise more than $900,000, part of which will be used for the replacement of the more than-50-year-old air conditioner.

Post-celebrations were held in Thomas Hall where brunch was served. Between speaking with many parishioners, Archbishop Schulte echoed the point in his homily: “The reason this building here is a church is because men, women and children – who are the church – make it their home. Otherwise, it’s just a building.”

Steve Heath can be reached at [email protected].