Archbishop John F. Donoghue recently broke ground and blessed the building site in Fayetteville for Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church, the newest parish in the archdiocese.

The announcement of the parish's foundation came at the end of Solemn Vespers celebrated on the feast of the parish patron Sept. 29.

Assisted by parish permanent deacons Al McHugh and Carl McBride, Archbishop Donoghue presided over the signing of psalms and canticles. The archbishop's homily focused on the Scripture passage for the ceremony, the vision of the new Jerusalem from the Book of Revelation. The archbishop challenged the new parish to form themselves into a living image of the church that will be revealed at the end of time.

After the homily, the archbishop was led by Dan Jackson, pastoral council chairperson, and Dick Reiter, chair of the land and building committee, to the site where the first building will be constructed. Father Paul Berny, the new pastor, joined them there to turn a few shovels full of earth. Father Frank Giusta, who as pastor of Saint Philip Benizi parish in Jonesboro began the mission in 1987, also joined in as did Father Patrick Mendola, O.F.M. Conv., current pastor of Saint Philip. On hand also were civic representatives and clergy from Fayetteville.

After the ceremony, the parish held a reception at Fayette Presbyterian Church, where religious education classes are currently conducted. There, the archbishop had a chance to mingle with the members of the parish and community.

The first building will be a multi-purpose structure, with a combined parish hall and worship space, classrooms, gathering space and kitchen. Dowling and Associates of Atlanta have been chosen as the architects for design of the building as well as preparation of the master plan for future construction.

Masses are currently held at the Fayette Elementary School on Hood Avenue in Fayetteville and the parish office is located at 105 Commerce Drive, Suite H.