North Java church to dedicate playground Sunday
By Matt Surtel msurtel@batavianews.com | Posted: Monday,
August 3, 2015 12:53 am
NORTH
JAVA — All it took was 37 days.
When
Holy Family Parish’s congregation first started considering a playground, the
idea was very well-received, and everybody got behind it. The
playground and park space are nearly complete, after instant and dedicated work
by the parishioners and surrounding community.The
area will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 9 as “Clayton Park,” with a Mass and “old-school”
community picnic.
“This
playground isn’t just for parishioners or the church,” said parishioner Molly
Haungs, who was part of the effort. ‘This is the church’s gift to the
community, to show we’re here, we’re family oriented, we’re open and we’re here
to stay.”
The
playground and park are in memory of infant Clayton George, who died at 15 days
old in March 2013. They include a small rock wall, several swings, some slides
and monkey bars.
Parishioners
and local residents raised $15,000 for the effort, with the playground located
on the church property. The church is hoping to add a new sidewalk and some
additional equipment — such as teeter-totters — in the future.
Mass
will be conducted at 10 a.m. Aug. 9 at the church on 3416 Route 98. The
park’s sign will be dedicated at noon, and the picnic following through 3 p.m.
As
with the picnic’s old-fashioned community nature, the church will provide meat,
while those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass. The afternoon will
also include some traditional games and a face painter.
“What
people like about Holy Family Parish is its sense of community,” said Rev. Matt
Kawiak, the church’s pastor. “Clayton Park is a reminder that while the tragedy
of a death of a child is devastating, the faith community can provide comfort
and support to grieving parents.” Kawiak
— who’s now with the Polish National Catholic Church — was chaplain for
Pediatrics at Strong Memorial Hospital in the 1990s, and said he’s acutely
aware of the anguish parents feel when a child has died.
“The
dedication of this playground is intended to bring healing and restore the joy
to the hearts of all people whose hearts have been broken by the death of their
loved ones,” Kawiak said.
“In
the midst of great sorrow, the local families of North Java and the neighboring
communities who represent many faith traditions have joined together to make
Clayton Park a visible sign of God’s love and compassion,” he continued. “I
want to extend my personal invitation to all families in the area to come to
Holy Family to play, learn and pray with their children. We need these kids to
inspire us and bring joy back into our churches.”
Holy
Family Parish was founded after the closure of the former St. Nicholas Roman
Catholic Church in 2007, and the congregation has worked actively to open new
people.
“We
don’t care who you are, what you do, we just want people to always feel
welcomed, and that’s the other reason we’re doing the dedication at noon,”
Haungs said. “People can arrive and stop by. See you at the dedication and
enjoy the picnic.”
