CATHEDRAL CROSS — The central cross of the new Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon was raised into place August 26. (Yaworski photo)

Cathedral cross raised into place

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski

SASKATOON — The final section of the large central cross was raised into place Aug. 26 on top of the new Roman Catholic cathedral under construction in northeast Saskatoon.

The cross on the new Cathedral of the Holy Family rises 53.8 metres into the sky. Weighing 4,536 kilograms, the final 11.8-metre high section of the cross was put into place by construction crews on a hot, sunny August afternoon.

“The cross is really one continuous unit that extends all the way through the roof structure,” said Jim Nakoneshny, chair of the building committee for the project, stressing how the central cross locks the structure together in the architect’s design for the building.

“The cathedral is literally built upon the cross, with the core of the cross physically holding the building together. As inspiring as the raising of that final element was, I would stress the integral nature of the cross to this building, and by extension to the nature of Catholic life,” said Nakoneshny.

The cross is visible from different points on both sides of the city, he noted. When the building is complete, the base of the cross will also be visible from inside the cathedral’s worship space.

In a brief ceremony the day before the cross was lifted into place, Holy Family pastor Rev. David Tumback blessed the cross and prayed for the safety of workers on the site.

“May this cross be a sign of glory for all, may it be a beacon of welcome and hospitality to the stranger, may it be a sign of comfort for all who see it and may it be a vessel of hope for all who desire to find peace,” prayed Tumback.

Under construction on the corners of Attridge and Forest Drive next to St. Joseph Catholic High School, the 6,000-square-metre building will provide a new parish home for the Holy Family congregation in northeast Saskatoon, as well as serving as the cathedral and Catholic pastoral centre for the entire diocese.

The building will incorporate a wide variety of functions, including parish church, diocesan cathedral, private residence, meeting space, office building, library, archive storage, banquet hall and community centre. The worship space will seat 1,200 in the main area, or up to 2,000 when an overflow area is used.

Estimated completion date for the $28.5-million project is Advent 2011.
The firm responsible for the design is Friggstad Downing Henry Architects, with Graham Construction as the general contractor.