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Diocese of Richmond Pastoral Center holds 1,100 meetings in first year

Text and photos by Steve Neill

It has been just a little over a year since the Diocese of Richmond Pastoral Center opened.

The two-story brick and glass building with 56,000 square feet officially opened for normal business operations on Dec. 5, 2007.

Preparing for the move from downtown Richmond across from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was a lot of work for many people, but it has been worth the sacrifice it took to get here.

“My hope was that the building would meet the expectations of our employees here at the Diocesan Pastoral Center and parish leadership folks,” said Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo.

“From what I hear, both groups appear to be satisfied.

“For that I am grateful to those who worked so hard to make this building a comfortable reality,” the Bishop added.

Msgr. Thomas F. Shreve, Vicar General of the diocese, was in charge of the move and the transition from one building to the other. The decision to move to the new facility at 7800 Carousel Lane was made in October 2006.

Lack of adequate parking at the Chancery offices at 811 Cathedral Place was perhaps the critical issue. Bishop DiLorenzo did not feel he could invite guests for meetings because many had problems finding a parking space.

The parking lot at the Pastoral Center has 210 spaces and has been more than adequate for people attending meetings.

“It is a warm and welcoming place for all,” Msgr. Shreve said of the Pastoral Center.

Built in 1982 for an insurance agency, the original configuration of the building had open stations which were called work stations. There were only a few private offices.

“The whole interior of the building was totally gutted,” said John Murphy, plant facilities director. “The walls we have now did not exist.”

The restrooms on both floors were remodeled. A commercial kitchen was installed, a feature which has allowed dinner gatherings for groups such as the various religious communities which have members serving in the diocese.

Since its opening in December 2007 the Pastoral Center has been the site of more than 1,100 scheduled meetings.

Some groups have been as few as two to five people, but there have been much larger gatherings. The meeting last winter for the diocese’s Central Vicariate on Pastoral Planning drew 170 people.

The Pastoral Center is used by both the Diocesan Priests’ Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council for their regular meetings.

One of the three formation groups for the Diaconate Formation program holds regular monthly classes on Saturdays.

Visitors to the building have said they are comfortable and feel secure when they attend meetings.

“All guests are requested to sign in at the front desk,” Mr. Murphy explained. “Those who have scheduled meetings are met in the lobby by a member of the office who escorts them to the designated meeting place.”

Mass is normally celebrated Monday through Friday at 12 noon in the chapel on the first floor. Priests who work in the various offices preside at Mass which welcomes visitors as well as employees.

In addition to the diocesan advisory bodies which come to the Pastoral Center for meetings, the facility also has been used by parishes for staff retreats. Among them is St. Bede parish of Williamsburg whose staff gathered for a retreat to welcome new staff members and promote greater collaboration among the staff.

“We found it a very accommodating place,” Father John Abe, pastor, said.

“Since we have such a large and diverse staff, it was good to get away for a session in which we wouldn’t be bothered by phone calls,” he said.

“It was also nice to gather in the chapel for morning prayer and noon Mass,” Father Abe added.

As a result of their visit to the Pastoral Center, St. Bede’s has scheduled a second meeting this winter.

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