By Colleen Turner
The official ground-breaking ceremony to launch
the construction of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church
took place on Thursday morning, Oct. 16 at the Rincon reservation.
The original historic church was burned in the Poomacha fire
almost a year ago on Oct. 24, 2008.
“It is a great day that we are here to break ground for
the new chapel that was destroyed in the fire,” said George
Arviso, Rincon tribal member and steward of the church. “We
are anxious to build this chapel and place of worship for the
surrounding communities.”
About 60 community members gathered outside for the groundbreaking
ceremony, which included parish members, tribal members from
La Jolla, Pala, Pauma, and Rincon. Supporters from the Rincon
Kateri Circle and the Los Angeles Tekakwitha Club were also
present. Spirits were high in the warm weather that morning.
“We are very honored and privileged to have Shepherd Bishop
Braun to bless the ground, signifying that this place is a holy
place for worship, so that people can come and worship the Creator,”
Arviso said.
Arviso introduced other clergy present including: Father Ray
and Deacon Dan of Pala Mission, also Father Luke, previously
of Pala Mission.
“This is a great day for the Rincon Catholic Community
and the Rincon tribe,” Ed Reed, Rincon tribal member,
and church steward said.
Reed talked about the devastation of the brush fire that raced
through the reservation burning the church and causing damage
of major proportions.
After the fire the church committee met to discuss plans to
rebuild a new church. Through donations from the community,
fund-raisers and the Rincon Tribal Council, a new church will
be built. He thanked everyone for their support and making it
possible to rebuild.
Shepherd Bishop Braun, of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego,
prayed and blessed the construction site with holy water. After
the traditional blessing, Bishop Braun, Father Luke Jauregui,
Father Reynaldo Manahan, Deacon Dan Powers, the church committee
and Rincon tribal council took up shovels and turned over the
first pieces of ground for construction of the new building.
Arviso said he tried to research on the history of the original
church but, the documents on St. Bartholomew’s church
stored at Mission San Luis Rey were destroyed when the mission
burnt. He said the blessing and rededication of the church today,
was very important to him and the community.
“This day will go down in history,” Arviso said.
The architect for the new church is Architect Kevin de Freitas.
The new church will be built where the former church was destroyed
during the Poomacha fire. The new church will be expanded and
handicapped accessible. The interior will also be expanded by
40-50 feet. It will include a new multipurpose room that can
be used for church functions. The existing belltower will remain.
“The church will be double the size for the future of
our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,”
Arviso said.
At the event, Bea Ornelas, Rincon Tribal elder, was honored
for her years of dedication for cleaning and maintaining St.
Bartholomew’s church.
“Within a year we can return here to dedicate the new
chapel and we can rededicate ourselves in the journey with Jesus
Christ, from sadness to joy, from darkness to light,”
Bishop Braun said.
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Colleen Turner is a member of the Rincon Tribe.
