O.C. Bishop to Offer Sunday Blessing of SF Solano Parish Hall

The new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange hasn't been in his position long, but he's making his second stop on Antonio Parkway on Sunday afternoon.

The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann will bless the recently completed parish hall at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in a ceremony at 1:15 p.m. The striking mission style structure, designed by architect Glen Gellatly of Lohrbach Studio, is 21,263 square feet and represents the final phase of an ambitious master development plan that has spanned 17 years since ground was first broken in 1996.

“I am truly inspired by the spiritual vitality and dedication of this parish community," said Bishop Vann, who presided over a mass at adjacent Santa Margarita Catholic High on the first day of Lent. "It is vital that we have the space and facilities needed to care for our growing Catholic population.”

According to the Diocese of Orange, the growth of Catholicism in Orange County is reflected in the growth of San Francisco Solano parish. Since the parish was founded in 1989 its membership has grown to more than 3,000 families. In an effort to accommodate this growth an ambitious three phase master development plan was initiated in 1996. This project has included more than 30,000 square feet of facility space, in addition to a 17,000 square foot church. The phases have included:

Phase I (1996)

• Church (17,000 square feet)
• Administration Building (4,000 sf)
• Meeting Room/Kitchen (3,000 sf)
• Restroom Facilities (800 sf)
• Outdoor Covered Gathering Area (4,000 sf)

Phase II (2001)

• Religious Education Center (15,000 sf)
• Religious Education Center Covered Patio (2,000 sf in basement)
• Administration Building Addition—Second Floor (3,800 sf)

Phase III (2013)

• Parish Hall
• Additional Meeting Rooms
• Youth Ministry Center and lounge

“The new Parish Hall building is not only spacious and beautiful, but it will provide our parish community with a flexible space to meet our spiritual, pastoral and service needs well into the future," said Fr. Craig Butters, pastor of San Francisco Solano parish. "We are also very excited that the hall will provide a safe and engaging place for parish youth to learn, pray and socialize.”

The long awaited Parish Hall has artwork ready to be installed. In 2010, the parish received the gift of an oil painting by Peruvian artists Sanchez Luzon and his son, Luis. The colorful canvas depicts the journey of San Francisco Solano, the parish’s patron saint.

The Parish Hall will also be home to the San Francisco Solano Quilt, which was commissioned to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the parish. The design of the quilt is inspired by the words in the Gospel of Matthew, 17:20, and is named, “Faith Moves Mountains.”