The date was December 30, 2011. After a funeral Mass had been celebrated and everyone was assembled in the Parish Hall, a fire erupted in the work sacristy. While the fire was extinguished (Thanks be to God), the resulting smoke caused 100’s of thousands of dollars in damages to the recently restored interior.

On the 7th Anniversary of this sad day, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which formerly adorned the side Altar on the Gospel side, will take up a place of honor once again in our Sanctuary. Still covered in soot and sealed under many coats of varnish, the statue will serve as a reminder of just how fortunate this Parish was that day. Please note that Our Lady holds in her hand a gilt-silver rose, the handle of which comes from an old aspergillum (holy water sprinkler) from St. Lawrence Church. This is a reminder of a fire that could have taken from us all one of the most beautiful churches in this Diocese.