By Paula Day

"Not only is a building being dedicated, but also a people," said Archbishop Thomas Donnellan as he spoke to the parishioners of St. Andrew's parish in Roswell during the dedication of their new church, Thursday evening, April 30.

"Most of all, we dedicate you as a living temple where God will be at home and where the loving hands of Christ will reach out to those in need," the archbishop continued in his homily at the dedication Mass.

For the people of St. Andrew's, some of whom have waited six years, the blessing of their place of worship was momentous.

"Such a feeling of relief and joy to be in this new building," remarked Mary Apps, chairperson of the parish Art and Sewing Committee, whose members made 20 matching stoles for the visiting priests to wear at the dedication ceremony.

"We're ready to grow now," observed Jean Rearick of the Building Committee. "It's kind of stifling, praying in an office warehouse," she added, referring to the rented area in the Northridge Business Park where the parish community has worshipped the past five and a half years.

Thirteen-year-old Adam Vodanovich was enthusiastic. "We moved here from Louisiana where a church had just been finished a month or so. Same story here. I'm really happy -- we're going to be here awhile."

In his homily Archbishop Donnellan reflected on the emotional bond that connects parishioner to their native parish. The house where one was reared may become the home of strangers, he said. But the parish church where one first received the sacraments, was married or celebrated his first Mass, from which loved ones were buried, is a place where one always comes home, he observed.

St. Andrew Church is a beautiful setting "to come home to." Centered in a 15-acre plot on the Chattahoochee River just off Roswell Road, the cross-shaped structure of off-white stucco houses a light and airy interior. Cream-colored double arches, braced by a lattice of wood and clear glass rise between the main sanctuary and its back-to-back chapel.

Light enhanced stained glass windows depict the mysteries of the rosary. The pale yellow walls and pillars, light brown pews with green upholstery and jade-green carpet, bring inside the sunlight and woods that surround the building outside. An altar of polished black granite at the center of the cross-shaped structure seems to anchor it to earth.

"May the work of God always be heard in this place" the prayer of blessing asks. The congregation replies in the responsorial psalm: "Your words, Lord, are spirit and life."

Father John Ozarowski, pastor, presented the keys of the new structure to Archbishop Donnellan in an opening gesture. Midway in the liturgy, the Archbishop wrapped an amice, apron-style, around his waist and proceeded to anoint the four corners and center of the bare altar with oil, thus sanctifying it for the celebration of Mass. Other priests anointed the four walls of the building. The altar and church were incensed and sprinkled with holy water. The lighting of candles and covering of the altar with altar cloths completed the dedication ritual before the first Eucharist.

Throughout the ceremony the parish choir and musicians under the direction of Linda Morgan performed works by Faure, Haydn, Mozart, Franck, Handel, Bach and Gounod. A memorial chalice was presented to the parish by the Knights of Columbus.

The church, located at 675 Riverside Road, Roswell, was designed by Jimmy Smith, architect for Nix-Mann and Associates. After the dedication Smith commented, "It's very gratifying, very fulfilling to see nebulous ideas materialize. It's been a long process. Lots of ideas -- input from the parish, Father's ideas -- pretty successfully came together."