DAYTON DEANERY — Retired Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk’s 27 years of leadership of the local church were recognized Oct. 23 in a unique way, as the Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk Building, new home to archdiocesan offices serving persons in the Dayton area, was dedicated in his honor.

The archbishop unveiled the plaque outside the building that bears his name and conducted a brief prayer service that concluded with the blessing of the interior offices and meeting rooms.

Archbishop Pilarczyk teasingly check­ed the spelling of his name on the plaque, noting, “I always said there would never be a high school named after me because the marching band would have to be too big!”

Richard Kelly, chief financial officer for the archdiocese, told Archbishop Pilarczyk that “it is fitting these offices bear your name. You are a model of service to God, to the church and to the archdiocese. May the people who labor here follow in your footsteps.”

The facility, located at 1436 Needmore Rd. in Dayton, houses six archdiocesan offices: Catholic Schools, Catholic Social Action, Evangelization and Catechesis, Family Life, The Catholic Telegraph and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. The Catholic Education Collaborative and Health Smart are also located in the renovated building.

David Riley, regional director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, explained that the building also “honors the word of those who came before us in Dayton ministry” with several conference and other rooms named for the religious orders who historically served the area, such as the Society of the Precious Blood, the Marianist order and the Sisters of Charity. One conference room also bears the name of the late Auxiliary Bishop Carl K. Moeddel.

 

The purchase of the building last year by the archdiocese demonstrates that “we are not yet finished telling the story of the Dayton Catholic community,” Riley added. “We are deeply grateful to be here.”

 

Riley offered thanks to Precious Blood Father Richard Friebel, whose parish, Holy Trinity, owns the space that was for many years utilized by the diocesan offices in Dayton.

 

“Here people will gather to do the work of the Lord and bring the Gospel to the people of the Dayton area,” Archbishop Pilarczyk said in closing. “We are grateful for that.”