Rockport Catholics return 'home' to renovated sanctuary

Bishop Mulvey celebrates dedication Mass at Sacred Heart in Rockport. Joining his are, from left, Deacon Danny Boehm, Father Augustinus Saenz, Father Raynaldo Yrlas Jr., Msgr. Louis F. Kihneman III, Msgr. Rory Deane and Father Pete Elizardo. Troy Cady, Sacret Heart Church

Managing Editor, Rockport Pilot

	Sacred Heart pastor Father Ray Yrlas, Jr. concelebrates Mass with bishop. Troy Cady, Sacret Heart Church

Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated a Mass Sunday, Nov. 3, to rededicate the newly renovated Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockport.

The renovation began in April and included extensive remodeling and revisions to the church, which was last upgraded in 1988. The new sanctuary was "unveiled" at Sunday's Mass with Bishop Mulvey blessing the "new" items in the church, as well as those placed on and around the altar for its future and continued use in all Masses.

The Bishop acknowledged the "perseverance, kindness, and hard work" of the committee and the dedication of the parish community for seeing the project to its fruition. After spending the last seven months celebrating Mass in the church's Activity Center, Father Yrlas thanked the parishioners for their patience and emphasized, "We are back home."

Concelebrating the Mass with bishop Mulvey were Father Raynaldo Yrlas Jr., pastor at Sacred Heart; Parochial Vicar Father Augustinus Saenz; and former pastors Msgr. Louis F. Kihneman III, VC and Msgr. Rory Deane. Deacon Danny Boehm assisted and Father Pete Elizardo served as Master of Ceremonies.