The following comes from a Dec. 11 story by Liz Sullivan in the Valley Catholic.
Holy Cross Church is almost ready for its close up.
On Nov. 16, 2014, just after the 1 p.m. Mass in Italian had concluded, fire broke out in the second floor of the church. More than 100 San Jose Fire Department personnel battled the flames for two hours before the fire was contained.
While there were no injuries the church was heavily damaged by fire, of which the cause was never determined. It resulted in all liturgies being moved to the parish hall behind the church.
Now more than three years later, at a reconstruction cost of more than $6.1 million, the church located at 13th and Jackson streets in San Jose, is inching closer to opening.
“We are certainly seeing the results we have been waiting for,” said Father Livio Stella, CS, pastor. “The outside looks almost done. The community has been helping out with the fundraising efforts and they have been very generous. I am pleased to see that.”
Father Stella expects the scaffolding that surrounds the outside of the church to be taken down in time for Christmas.
I hope they put in Fire Sprinklers (and Alarms, Extinguisher Stations… All Well Highlighted to be Easily Seen in an Emergency), as the cost of rebuilding is nothing compared to the loss of Human Life these help prevent.
I have seen too many Parishes where Fire Prevention / Response is all but ignored, particularly given tight budgets. ‘We’ need to Do better, and Teach Better, particularly living in Earthquake Country.
How many out there know where and how to shut off Gas, Power, Water???
How many have an Evacuation Plan and Emergency Supplies??
When the big one hits, shopping will no longer be an option – Prepare Now, as later is often too late