Sacred Heart Blesses Gathering Center

On March 18th our parish dedicated its new Gathering Center with a Mass presided over by our Diocesan Bishop. The church was full of worshippers.  At the end of Mass, Fred Julius shared a reflection on the importance of this day in the history of our parish. He recalled the dedication of our parish church in 1923. This was a day the immigrant parish members looked forward to for many years. Following Fred’s comments, the members of the building committee and capital campaign committee were recognized.  

Sacred Heart Church stands as a landmark in Moline for one hundred years. Countless funerals, weddings, graduations and baptisms happened at the church.  It has been an important focal point for generations of Moline Catholics.

The New Gathering Center offers modern amenities like restrooms for people with physical challenges and for those who must care for the needs of small children. The church and Gathering Center have multiple handicapped accessible doors. We have a bridal party room which doubles as a room for families to gather prior to a visitation, along with a new gift shop, and an area where simple meals can be served. 

After the Mass, the congregants processed to the Gathering Center led by the ministers, Knights of Columbus, and our First Communion children, where Bishop Tylka blessed the space. After the blessing, parishioners enjoyed refreshments during the reception.  

We thank all those who made this celebration a reality.   

This was a beautiful Mass and blessing with a large gathering of parishioners and friends in attendance.  There is so much we want to share about this day, that we are dedicating our May Heartbeat print edition to just this occasion.