New narthex at St. Gregory the Great Church in Gray blessed by Bishop Ruggieri

Fulfilling a dream that goes back several years, on Monday, November 17, Bishop James Ruggieri blessed the new Father Jim Morrison Memorial Narthex at St. Gregory the Great Church in Gray, calling the narthex the first step on the way to the presence of the Lord and a sign of the kingdom that God desires to build in the world.

“In the tradition of the Church, the narthex is the first point of entry. It is the place where one pauses before stepping into the main body of the church. It is a space of preparation. It is a space of welcome. It is the threshold where we move from the world into worship, and then, later, when we are sent at the conclusion of Mass, we move from worship back in the world but now charged with mission," the bishop said. "It stands as a gentle reminder that the Christian life is always an entry into deeper communion with God and always ascending forth in his name."

The 788-square-foot addition to the front of St. Gregory Church includes not only the narthex but an expanded sacristy, a larger choir area, a bell tower with a carillon, two ADA compliant bathrooms, a janitorial closet, and a storage area.

The narthex is dedicated in memory of Father Jim Morrison, who served as the fourth pastor of St. Gregory in the mid-1980s and was much beloved by parishioners. Father Morrison passed away in 2013.

“We have built far more than an entrance. This narthex is a tribute to dear Father Jim Morrison, a priest with a legendary gift for making everyone feel welcome. And if he were here today, I am fairly certain that he would look around and smile,” said Father Steven Cartwright, pastor of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist, which includes St. Gregory the Great Church.

Among those in attendance at the Mass and blessing was Natalie Bonnell, a first cousin of Father Morrison’s, who agreed that he would be pleased.

“It’s beautiful, and I’m sure he is with us. I am sure he is. I really feel that he knows what’s happening this evening. He must be just beaming all over. I know I am,” she said. “It’s a glorious tribute to him.”

It's also a tribute to the generosity and commitment of members of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist who supported the project that transformed the front of St. Gregory Church. A total of $425,000 was raised.

"To the people of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist, I thank you. This project would not exist without you. You prayed for it, you supported it, you endured every inconvenience and every construction delay with remarkable patience, and you gave with extraordinary generosity,” Father Cartwright said to parishioners. “It's a sign of your love for this parish, your commitment to its future, and your desire to hand something beautiful on to the next generation.”

Parishioners, who filled the church for the Mass and blessing, said they were pleased with how the project turned out.

“I think it's such a great addition to the church. I think it's going to be a really welcoming space. That's my prayer for this. As the bishop said, people come in, encounter God, and then we take him with us when we leave,” said Linda Nicak, a choir member.

“I think it’s beautiful. It’s something that was a long time needed,” said Yvette Knight. “It does give us a place to talk so that when we go into church, it can be quiet.”

The new entryway was designed by Callender & Delaney Architects, with Great Falls Construction serving as the general contractor. Petit Excavation, Walsh Engineering Associates, Stone Mountain Systems, the Diocesan Construction Company (DICON), and electrician Peter Wilson also contributed to the project.

About Father Jim Morrison

A native of Portland, Father Morrison was a graduate of Cheverus High School in Portland before going on to study philosophy and theology at St. Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa, Canada. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1974, at St. Joseph Church in Portland and then earned a Master of Church Administration from the School of Canon Law of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Father Morrison served as pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Gray from 1983 to 1985. His other pastoral assignments included parishes in Auburn, Lewiston, Mechanic Falls, Norway, Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, Scarborough, Westbrook, and York.

Father Morrison also served as vice chancellor and director of vocations for the diocese, as guardian ad litem to the Diocesan Tribunal, as a vicar forane, and as a member of the Council of Priests and the College of Consultors. He was also chaplain to the Knights of Columbus and to Catholics at the Pineland Center.