By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic
A view of the interior of the Msgr. James Fetscher Fellowship Center dedicated at St. Louis Covenant School.
St. Louis Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts prepare to hoist the flag in front of the new gymnasium/auditorium building dedicated at St. Louis Covenant School, as the crowd looks on.
From left: Msgr. James Fetscher, former St. Louis pastor, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, and Father Paul Vuturo, current pastor, cut the red ribbon to officially open the new gymnasium/auditorium building at St. Louis Covenant School.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski blesses the new gymnasium/auditorium building at St. Louis Covenant School.
Msgr. James Fetscher says a few words during the dedication ceremony for the new gymnasium/auditorium building at St. Louis Covenant School, which was named after him.
From left: Archbishop Thomas Wenski, St. Louis Covenant School Principal Eddie Garcia, and St. Louis' pastor, Father Paul Vuturo speak during the dedication of the new gymnasium/auditorium building at St. Louis Covenant School.
Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
PINECREST | Msgr. James Fetscher served as pastor of St. Louis Church for 28 years, from 1982 to 2010. So it was fitting that the parish’s new building be named in honor of the priest who served so long and did so much for the Pinecrest church.
The honor, however, seemed a little overwhelming for Msgr. Fetscher, now pastor of St. Sebastian Church in Fort Lauderdale.
“I’m kind of embarrassed,” he said. “You’re supposed to be dead before they dedicate a building with your name on it. Now I have to live a perfect life in order to live up to the honor.”
On Sept. 11, Archbishop Thomas Wenski dedicated the $4 million, 15,600-square-foot Msgr. James Fetscher Fellowship Center, located on the south side of the parish grounds. The multi-purpose facility will serve as a gymnasium and auditorium for the adjacent St. Louis Covenant School, to which it is connected by a covered breezeway.
Assistant Principal Julie Perdomo has eighth-grade twin daughters in the school. She said she’s glad they will get to use the facility this year.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Perdomo. “It’s brought a community spirit to St. Louis Church. It will be great for basketball and volleyball games.”
In 2010, the parish, which was established in 1963, bought 90 feet of land on the north side of neighboring Morningstar Retreat Center — enough room to construct the building. The additional land in front of the center will serve as a sports field.
At the dedication ceremony, the Montalvo family, who own several Fuddrucker franchises, served up donated barbecued hamburgers, drinks and cake under canopies set up on the field.
The new building is part of an effort to upgrade and expand St. Louis facilities. The funding is coming from a parish-led One Church, One Community Campaign.
“The success of this endeavor will rely on the involvement and participation of the entire parish family,” said Father Paul Vuturo, St. Louis’ current pastor.
St. Louis School Principal Eddie Garcia said the campaign allows for various levels of giving.
“Parishioners can give from very large donations to smaller donations,” he said. “Every gift, regardless of the amount, makes a difference.”
