SAN ANTONIO — After nearly 16 years of anticipation, planning and development, the new worship space for St. Anthony Mary Claret Church was dedicated on May 2. Archbishop Patrick F. Flores presided at the dedication Mass, concelebrated by Father Jan P. Klak, current pastor, and founding pastor Msgr. Albert Hubertus.
    Located on the west side of Loop 1604 and Culebra, the new $4.3 million church building features an 87-foot high bell tower and a 16-foot tall crucifix. The sanctuary is the centerpiece of a master plan that contains a future school, gym, athletic complex and fellowship hall.
    The 26,000 square foot, 1,000-seat facility was designed by Jim Heck of Fisher Heck, Inc. Architects. This firm also completed the restoration of San Fernando Cathedral and continues work on the restoration of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.
    “The church (St. Anthony Mary Claret) offers beautiful views of the distant hills and will provide the connection between God and nature that the parishioners seek,” said Heck about the award-winning building which has the highest elevation of any Catholic church in Bexar County.

    Keller-Martin Organization, Inc. was the commercial general contracting firm which carried out the construction. At the 2003 American Subcontractors Association (San Antonio chapter) Excellence in Construction Awards held in February, their work on the church placed first in the category of “Project of the Year” under $5 million.
    The service began on the front steps of the multipurpose building, where Archbishop Flores, Father Klak, Msgr. Hubertus, along with numerous visiting priests, representatives from more than 30 ministries in the parish carrying banners, and children joyfully waving streamers walked in procession to the entrance of the darkened church. Church dedications begin with a darkened church and remain so through part of the celebration of the Mass, symbolizing that the light of Christ enters the church through its consecration to God.
    Outside the building, the archbishop blessed the church’s foundation stone bought from Poland, which was also blessed by Pope John Paul II, and accepted the door keys from the architect, which he immediately handed to the pastor. They then cut a ribbon together and led the first ritual entrance to the singing of “All Are Welcome.”

    In his homily, Archbishop Flores extended congratulations to St. Anthony MaryClaret parishioners.
“A miracle is taking place right here,” said the archbishop. “Who would have thought of this kind of attendance 20, 15 or even 10 years ago — when we thought this was the middle of nowhere? But it is possible with all of you working together. It is a dream come
true.”
    Archbishop Flores even joked that the parish needed to start taking up a second collection today to make the church bigger, which drew loud laughter from the congregation.
    He continued on a more serious note. “We build temples for the honor and glory of God, but each of you is more important than this great building because you are a child a God, a living temple of God. Continue to build on who we are as sacred children of God.”
    “I hope this beautiful building serves as a reminder to us of the greatness of God,” the archbishop concluded.

    Archbishop Flores then began the consecration of the altar with holy chrism, oiling the entire altar.
    Other fixtures were blessed similarly. Incense with lit and walked around the altar chancel, then carried around the rest of the church. After all was blessed and consecrated, the first candle was lit. Then more candles were lit, 12 in all.
    The altar was dressed, indicating that it is the altar of the Eucharistic sacrifice and the table of the Lord. When the lights were turned on in the church, the congregation rose to its feet and burst into applause.
    In remarks before the end of the liturgy, Father Klak said, “I thank each and every one of you for your kindness, support and sacrifices. I hope this new church is your new home and house of prayer.”
    A luncheon and liturgy followed the dedication at the National Gun Club, located across the street from the church.
 
    St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish was established on July 9, 1988. The archdiocese purchased eight acres of land on Roft Road for the new church. Msgr. Albert Hubertus, the founding pastor, celebrated the parish’s first Mass on July 24 of that year, with 30 families attending.
    The first Masses were celebrated at the Cordi-Marian Convent Chapel and under oak trees on the new property. One by one, trailers were purchased to provide classroom space for religious education, meeting rooms for numerous ministries, and the parish office. In 1990, a metal multipurpose building was constructed to serve as a temporary worship space. In 1995, Msgr. Hubertus introduced a stewardship program to add to the building fund and provide resources for the parish’s pastoral projects.     In 1998, the Building Committee hired Fisher Heck and architectural blueprints were drawn up. Looking to the future, the parish purchased additional land, seven acres in 1997 and three acres in 2000.
    Father Klak was named pastor in 2000 following Msgr. Hubertus’ retirement, and the parish moved into its next phase of development. A stewardship capital campaign was begun in 2001 to raise additional funds needed to commence construction of the new church. The campaign was a success and allowed the parish to break ground for the permanent worship space in October 2002, and Keller Martin completed construction in March 2004.