"It's a dream come true," smiled Marge Patterson, who should know.

The 40-year parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and wife of Deacon Gary Patterson, had waited for many years for March 13, 2009, dedication day for the parish's brand new church. So too, clearly, had several thousand other parishioners, virtually all of whom turned out on a mild, sunny late afternoon for the anticipated celebration at Cypress Street and Irwindale Avenue.

Those able to get seats inside found a sparkling, spacious worship space designed by Victor Newlove and John Dodson of Armet Davis Newlove Architects in Santa Monica. Its features include a fan-shaped seating arrangement for 1,000, natural light, a river-rock wall behind the altar (in tribute to the city's "rock quarry" heritage), and familiar stained glass from the former worship space (refurbished by the Judson Studios).

Outside, a courtyard on the east side of the 12,227-square-foot church includes a shrine devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe, made in large part with stones preserved from the parish site, at the request of Father Joseph Canna, pastor. The statue is preserved from the original church, whose history dates back to 1917, although the parish was officially established in 1964.

Beyond the design features, however, the new church is a testimony to the perseverance of parishioners --- the "living stones" upon whom all parishes, new or old, are truly constructed, as Carduinal Roger Mahony suggested in his homily.

"We are the stones who build the body of Christ," he told the capacity-plus throng assembled inside (and hundreds more outside listening on speakers) in his bilingual homily. "Jesus is the headstone; we are linked to him and to all who follow his Word that is proclaimed in this space and are nourished by his Body and Blood which we receive here."

The church, the cardinal said, "serves as a beacon" to the entire community. For that reasons, "We are called to live the life modeled by Jesus, and to bring others to this church. The light of Jesus must shine through each of you, so that the people of Irwindale come to church not because of this new building, but through your example as a follower believer in our Lord."

Which is why Marge Patterson believes the future of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, as well as Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, is bright indeed.

"It is such a gift to our community," she said, smiling once more, "a gift built with so much love."

---Mike Nelson