The year was 1972, and Father Walter J. Dalton, CSP, was celebrating Masses in the homes of the faithful of Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

Some 41 years later, hundreds of parishioners of what became St. Paul the Apostle Parish gathered to dedicate a new altar in the church and the Linda Finn Family Life Center on Nov. 6.

The view of the sun setting over Lake Lyndon B. Johnson provided a spectacular backdrop as the lights in the church were turned off and the Knights of Columbus proudly stood at attention down the main aisle of the church.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, stand at attention during the entrance procession of the Mass dedicating the new altar and family life center at the church.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin said he was grateful for the ministry of the Paulist Fathers, and told the congregation they were to be “commended for all of the hard work and dedication it took to bring this project to completion.”

Referring to the Scripture readings, Bishop Vásquez said, “This place is truly a gateway to heaven.”

The Rite of dedication and anointing took place after Bishop Vásquez’s homily. After an invitation to prayer and Litany of Saints, a first-class relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was deposited in the altar. The altar was then anointed and incensed. Members of the building committee came forth to wipe down the oils on the altar as a symbolic gesture that the renovation project was complete. Then candles around the church and altar were lit and it was only then that the church lights came back on.

After the Mass, St. Paul Pastor Father Ruben Patiño, CSP, offered the congregation “a sincere and heartfelt thanks for all you have done.”

“Already we are seeing our vision for the future is brighter than we could have ever imagined,” he said.

After the Mass, the congregants gathered for a reception in the new Linda Finn Family Life Center, named after a longtime St. Paul parishioner and philanthropist.

The project took approximately three years to conceive, plan and complete. Construction took about 12 months, and the parish has already raised all but $1.2 million of the approximately $3 million budget.

In a darkened church, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez incenses the new altar at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

The renovations included new double-paned windows that maintain the breathtaking view of the lake but will keep out heat, cold and won’t rattle with the wind. There is also new stained glass, new pews and, of course, the new altar. The tabernacle is now in the main worship space.

Behind the liturgical scenes are spaces for the parish administration, a sacristy, Reconciliation room and religious education classrooms.

The Linda Finn Family Life Center features a catering kitchen and space for 500 to sit auditorium-style or about 200 at tables.

“Now we have a place to come together, to hold wedding receptions and gatherings after funerals,” Father Patiño said. “Before this, it was hard to hold a meeting with more than 30 people. No one and none of the ministries had enough space.”

Bill Bedortha, pastoral council president, said more families are steadily moving into the parish, so the renovations “mean everything.”

The newly-dedicated altar at St. Paul’s Parish in Horseshoe Bay is prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

“We can have our parish Christmas party here instead of having to go somewhere else,” Mr. Bedortha explained. “This says we are a parish with life.”

Parishioner Karen Jones said having a room where the people can gather is priceless.

“It is so exciting to finally have this happen,” said Ms. Jones, who is heavily involved in the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. “You can really feel community here, and it makes it feel more homey. This is a wonderful place to come together.”

Father Patiño said the project’s completion “is truly a milestone for us. We are happy. We still have some things to accomplish, but we are doing well.”

Four Paulist priests and guests concelebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist with Bishop Joe S. Vásquez.

A jubilant Father Ruben Patiño, CSP, offers Holy Communion.

The candle that shows the Body of Christ is present in the new tabernacle is lit for the first time at St. Paul the Apostle in Horseshoe Bay.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez gives the final blessing.

Pastor Father Ruben Patiño, CSP, thanks all those who brought to fruition the renovations and new facilities at St. Paul the Apostle.

Parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle mix and mingle in the new Linda Finn Family Life Center.

Parishioners enjoy refreshments and conversation in the Linda Finn Family Life Center at St. Paul the Apostle.