Archbishop Chaput Part of St. Eleanor's Closing Centennial Celebration

Maggie Scillia submitted the following information:

, Collegeville held their closing Centennial Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 16. 

The parish has been giving thanks for the 100 years it has been serving the people of the Collegeville area. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., the and newly installed leader of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia first dedicated the St Eleanor new parish center which added 10 new classrooms, a new library and cafeteria and additional meeting space for the Parish Ministries. The additional classrooms enabled St. Eleanor for the first time, to offer a new pre-kindergarten program.

Following the dedication Mass was offered with 15 clergy in attendance, which included past vicars, past priests in residence, Father Raymond Himsworth and Father Carl Janicki, religious vocations from the parish, area pastors from Blessed Theresa Calcutta, Visitation, Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother and Saint Philip Neri concelebrating with the Archbishop and Monsignor Sweeney. The Vicar of Montgomery County Monsignor Michael McCulken also attended. Pastor Martha Kriebel and Reverend Howard Kriebel from Trinity Reformed UCC, Pastor Ann Few from St. Luke UCC and Reverend Bryant Brown from Thomas Paine Universalist church joined our congregation for this celebration.

The Centennial Celebration concluded with a reception and dinner banquet at the Presidential Caterers in East Norriton hosted by Pastor Monsignor Patrick E. Sweeney. The honored guests included Pastor Emeritus Father John Franey who served the parish for 16 years, past parochial vicars Father John Eckert, Father Christopher Cooke, and Father James McKelvey. Also in attendance were past St. Eleanor School religious teachers, Sr. Daniel Marie, Sister Regina Anita and Sister Mary James McCafferty, prior Deacons Al Derivan and Michael Woodhall, newly ordained Deacon Tom Philips and Senator John Rafferty and State Rep Michael Vereb.