On Friday, October 18th, a morning fire ignited inside the decades-old church. The Casa Grande fire department said it took more than an hour and the help of five other agencies to extinguish the flames. Dave Kean, chief of the Casa Grande Fire Department said there was significant damage to the inside of the main worship area. According to the chief, early investigations indicate the fire started in the area near the west side of the building near the electronic and music area. Chief Kean said the fire "significantly burned the South/Choir pew area. The main worship area was also damaged by heavy smoke and some fire."
No one was injured during the fire and the investigation is in its preliminary stages with the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF - domestic law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice.).
“We have no reason to believe that foul play was involved, but due to the high dollar loss and the fact that it is a place of worship, they are assisting us,” Chief Kean said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Casa Grande Fire Department.
Hundreds celebrated Mass inside the parish community center of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande this weekend despite a fire closing its parish church indefinitely.
More than 6,000 people are registered as parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic church. Fr. Ariel Lustan, the pastor, said all weekend Masses were well attended beginning with the Saturday evening vigil. Fr. Ariel said the destruction will not interrupt liturgical services, “We will have Masses, baptisms, funerals, and weddings in the parish community center. We are also blessed to have the Divine Mercy Chapel as an option.” The existing parish church was built in 1960, though the first structure has existed for nearly 100 years.
Parishioners turned out in crowds this weekend, assuring Fr. Ariel they would begin to identify leaders who could lead restoration efforts.”
The local bishop of Tucson Diocese, Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger reassured the community:
St. Anthony fire is a 'wound that strikes deeply to the soul' but 'grace of God heals all wounds'
October 21, 2024
I am deeply grieved by the damage and destruction that has taken place at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande, AZ. A characteristic true to Catholicism is that our houses of worship are not simply places where we pray. Rather, they are imbued with holiness by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the waters of baptism, consecrated vessels for worship, and the grace that flows from the celebration of the Sacraments. The damage to the parish church is a wound that strikes deeply to the soul.
However, as deep as the wound may feel today, we must allow the grace of God to heal us, to make us strong, and to unite us in fulfilling His will. The truth is that the beloved parish church was not built on a foundation of concrete, steel and bricks. It was built upon a foundation of faith, hope, and love. And from that foundation arose a magnificent dwelling for God. Brothers and Sisters, let us be encouraged by the example of the generations before us. For we WILL do as they did, and once again build a structure to God’s glory—a structure that will be beautiful, functional, and a witness to our faith, our hope, and our love today.
Again, the wound we have been dealt is deep, but the grace of God heals all wounds. Be assured of my daily prayers, my deep concern, and my commitment to be of every assistance as we move forward in faith.
May St. Anthony of Padua hold us in his heart and present our needs to Jesus Christ Our Lord, whose love for us can inspire us to be His Saints today.
Your Brother in Christ, Parishioners turned out in crowds this weekend, assuring Fr. Ariel they would begin to identify leaders who could lead restoration efforts.”
The local bishop of Tucson Diocese, Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger reassured the community:
St. Anthony fire is a 'wound that strikes deeply to the soul' but 'grace of God heals all wounds'
October 21, 2024
I am deeply grieved by the damage and destruction that has taken place at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande, AZ. A characteristic true to Catholicism is that our houses of worship are not simply places where we pray. Rather, they are imbued with holiness by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the waters of baptism, consecrated vessels for worship, and the grace that flows from the celebration of the Sacraments. The damage to the parish church is a wound that strikes deeply to the soul.
However, as deep as the wound may feel today, we must allow the grace of God to heal us, to make us strong, and to unite us in fulfilling His will. The truth is that the beloved parish church was not built on a foundation of concrete, steel and bricks. It was built upon a foundation of faith, hope, and love. And from that foundation arose a magnificent dwelling for God. Brothers and Sisters, let us be encouraged by the example of the generations before us. For we WILL do as they did, and once again build a structure to God’s glory—a structure that will be beautiful, functional, and a witness to our faith, our hope, and our love today.
Again, the wound we have been dealt is deep, but the grace of God heals all wounds. Be assured of my daily prayers, my deep concern, and my commitment to be of every assistance as we move forward in faith.
May St. Anthony of Padua hold us in his heart and present our needs to Jesus Christ Our Lord, whose love for us can inspire us to be His Saints today.
The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger
Bishop of Tucson
Sources: https://news.diocesetucson.org/news/hope-leads-st-anthony-of-padua-following-church-fire
Image FB Page of St. Anthony's
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