By Tom McHugh

Members of St. Matthew Church met to celebrate the dedication of the parish's community and education center on a rainy Sunday, March 10.

The center, to be known as the LaSalette Community and Educational Center, was dedicated to Our Lady of LaSalette in tribute and gratitude to the missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette, the religious order of priests and brothers who have provided priests to St. Matthew's church since its founding as a mission in the 1970s.

Representatives from other faiths as well as a delegation from the mayor and council of the city of Fairburn were on hand for the dedication.

The facility will be the center of the parish's social and educational functions. The new building will provide a 6000-square-foot general purpose meeting area that has the capability will be centered in the facility. The parish conducts programs through its St. Vincent de Paul Society to assist the needy in the community. S.M.A.R.T. teams comprise a program of support and counseling for addiction rehabilitation. The parish maintains outreach ministries for youth, the elderly, single divorced and widowed, and an active chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

The parish has experienced a growth rate that required detailed review of whether to relocate the current facility. Parish members, however, felt a sense of belonging that characterizes Fairburn, and the decision to stay at the facility was virtually unanimous. The people of Fairburn, the relationship with city officials, and the spirit of friendship that exists with other churches in the area weakened the case for moving.

The facility was designed and engineered by BA/Norris Group, an architectural firm based in Atlanta. The building will be a brick structure designed to maintain and complement the traditional colonial style of the existing church building and rectory that has become a landmark in Fairburn.

The parish refers to itself as the "family of St. Matthew" and its family oriented approach has attracted parishioners not only from Fairburn, but from Clayton, Coweta, Fulton, Douglas and Fayette counties as well.

"As a result of this new undertaking," commented Father James Caffery, S.M., pastor, "we in St. Matthew's will be able to more fully complete the mission of the Church here in Fairburn, to lead others to Christ and be instrumental in meeting the needs of our community."

Construction of the LaSalette Center is underway and it is expected to be completed in July.