CEDAR LAKE – Formerly known as the church hall or simply the church basement, the space below Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake has an official moniker. The hall was christened Sacred Heart of Jesus late last month by Father Patrick Gawrylewski, OFM, who is pleased with the outcome.
“It just makes sense,” said the parish administrator. “Prior to this, there was always some question about ‘where we were speaking of’ or ‘what were we talking about.’ Now we can draw a connection to a specific space, Sacred Heart Hall.
“Anytime you say Sacred Heart Hall, you invoke the image of Jesus and his sacred heart,” continued Father Gawrylewski. “Similarly, when you say ‘Holy Name of Jesus,’ you also picture Our Lord Jesus Christ. So, we have a great connection with our parish name and the new hall name.” The name Sacred Heart of Jesus was selected because of the existence of a five-foot-tall Sacred Heart statue already in the hall.
“It invokes the image of Jesus which is an essential aspect of our faith,” said Cindy Varenkamp, director of music ministry. She noted that parishioners did not want to name the hall after one individual because there are so many outstanding parishioners at Holy Name; they wanted the name to be all encompassing.
“We are very collaborative here,” said Varenkamp. “The statue is just beautiful, and now we will be thinking about the Sacred Heart of Jesus frequently as we gather in the space as a community.”
Parishioner Joel Cortez and wife Elsa enjoyed the pancake breakfast that accompanied the Nov. 26 christening event. “It’s great to be here in Sacred Heart Hall,” he said. “It is good how the name connects the devotion of the Sacred Heart to the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.”
The hall was renovated about six years ago. The improvements included new bathrooms, a bridal waiting suite, new drywall, lighting and storage, noted Varenkamp. At that time, the statue was also refurbished. “Everything's coming together,” she said. “It is wonderful to have a beautifully finished space like this.”
Bill Siems, financial secretary for the Cedar Lake Knights of Columbus 3840, said having a named hall makes it more personal. “Now, we all know where we are going. Everyone is happy that it’s been named. This is such a welcoming parish and this cements that feeling. A farmer in his clothes from the field can be sitting right next to a man in a three-piece suit. All are welcome here.”
Varenkamp said the hall is used frequently for myriad activities – bunco, crafting and other workshops, AA meetings, exercise groups and more. “Everyone shares. We are really welcoming. We are a family here and now it really feels like it. I hope this inspires other parishes to give spaces names like this.”
Caption: Father Patrick Gawrylewski, OFM, reads a prayer while Elsa Cortez and Joel Cortez look on. The invocation was part of a Nov. 26 ceremony to name the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hall at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake. The name was chosen in recognition of the five-foot-tall Sacred Heart statue that was refurbished about six years ago. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)