The Batavia News
by Jessica Dillon
NORTH JAVA —
When members of Holy Family Parish first tossed around the idea of a memorial
playground three years ago, it took just 37 days before mulch was laid and a
play-set complete with a spiral slide, monkey bars, swings and a small rock
wall sat ready and waiting for the community’s youth.
“Clayton Park,”
dedicated in memory of infant Clayton George, who died at just 15 days old in
March 2013, served as testament to the devotion and caring nature of
parishioners and local residents, many of whom had rallied together to raise
$15,000 for the cause.
Even after all
this time, they haven’t lost their giving spirit — just last week, the men of
Holy Family set to work once again on another community project, constructing a
picnic pavilion to serve as the perfect shady shelter for parents watching
their children play on sunny days and as a safe, dry space during the sometimes
rainy outdoor Masses and old-school picnics held annually at the parish.
“Basically, we
were all sitting around one day looking out at the park playground, and every
year we have an outdoor Mass to honor our grandson, so we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it
be nice if there were a pavilion out there?’,” said Clayton’s grandmother,
Marie George. “It kind of snowballed from there.”
With a sizeable
contribution made by the daughter of another late, beloved parishioner, Ed
Bartz, and with continued donations flowing in for both the Clayton Park and
parish building funds, the approximate $5,000 project soon became a reality.
“(Bartz)
contributed an awful lot,” said Marie’s husband, Steve, who serves as a
construction leader on the project. “He was a fantastic woodworker and donated
many handmade wood goods to the church and to fundraisers.”
And so
volunteers — at least a dozen of them — didn’t hesitate in offering up their
time for the cause, with even Rev. Matt Kawiak, the church’s pastor, helping to
nail in the boards and install the roof on the 24-by-48 structure.
“What people
like about Holy Family Parish is its sense of community,” Kawiak had said just
days before the Clayton Park dedication. “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.”
Now the pavilion,
too, 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.
Work on the
project is nearing completion, with the metal roof fully installed and plans for
the addition of a concrete pad and the installation of grills firming up.
Though a dedication ceremony has not been set just yet, parishioners expect it
will coincide with the annual Clayton Park Picnic held each year in early fall.
“This is for the
whole community,” Steve said. “That’s what we want the whole thing to be. Even
though it’s on church property, it’s big enough for maybe small weddings or
bridal showers or baby showers or family reunions. It’s open to everyone. All
are welcome.”
And not just at
the pavilion and park, but at church, too, the Georges said.
In the wake of
the closure of the former St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in 2007, Holy
Family Parish was born from the ashes, and the congregation has worked actively
to welcome new parishioners ever since.
“If you’re
looking for somewhere to go, we’re there,” Marie said. “We want everyone to
know that they’re all welcome. We don’t turn anyone away.”
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends and especially grateful to all the volunteer dads, granddads and mentors who built this manificient structure to bring kids to the playground. Bless these nurturing men with good health, strength and joy.
