TOLEDO—A new school building and neighborhood center at Toledo Blessed Sacrament was dedicated by Bishop Leonard P. Blair in April.

The new structure was welcomed by hundreds of parishioners, priests and dignitaries who packed the sanctuary for a dedication Mass and then filled the street as the building was blessed.

“This is a great day for Blessed Sacrament and the entire diocese,” Bishop Blair said during his homily. He quoted an old saying that a true sign of life is growth. The addition of the new building, he said, is proof that Catholic Education is alive and well in the Diocese of Toledo.

The growth at Blessed Sacrament began under the leadership of its former pastor, Father Robert Reinhart, who is now serving at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The parish’s current pastor, Father Martin Donnelly, oversaw the construction, which began in 2007.

After the Mass, the congregation filed out of the church and walked a short distance for a blessing ceremony in front of the new building — which houses classrooms for seventh- and eighth-grade students, office space, a multipurpose room, kitchen and gymnasium.

After words of greeting, a Gospel reading, intercessions and a ribbon cutting, Bishop Blair blessed each room with holy water.

Inside the gym, the crowd gathered for remarks and presentations by local dignitaries.

“This facility will give life and energy … to anyone who comes within these buildings,” said Toledo Mayor Carleton Finkbeiner.

“I thank God for a stalwart church,” he said, adding he believes Toledo hasn’t experienced population losses similar to Detroit and Cleveland because of the strong Catholic school system here.

The crowd cheered when he used Blessed Sacrament as a prime example, saying, “A strong church and school helps make this a strong middle class neighborhood.”

Six classrooms, including dedicated science and computers rooms, are available to seventh- and eighth-grade students.

In addition, a neighborhood center is part of the building. An office and facilities are to be used by the newly formed Greater Close Park Neighborhood Organization. The group of neighbors and parishioners are working on beautification projects and developing programs for seniors and children, among other projects.

Adding to the festive mood, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur presented a flag that was flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the same week Pope Benedict XVI was there.

She thanked all of the teachers, parents and funders who sacrificed to make the new building a reality.

“This church really does create a community,” the congresswoman added.

In his remarks, Fr. Donnelly also publicly thanked those who helped make Fr. Reinhart’s vision a reality.

“From the $2 gift to the $500,000 gift and all those in between made the difference,” he said.

Fr. Donnelly predicts a vibrant school and neighborhood center.

“They’ll know us as a place that loves them,” he said