WELCOME HOME, GOD CARDINAL BLESSES REMODELED CHURCH.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Cardinal Roger M. Mahony anointed a newly remodeled St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church on Sunday in an extended Mass to bless God's home.

The cardinal, in a shimmering vestment of ivory and gold, stood before hundreds of parishioners Sunday afternoon to consecrate a $2 million makeover in the 42-year-old parish.

``Lord, fill this place with your presence, and extend your hand to all those of all of thy members,'' Mahony prayed during a 2 1/2-hour service.

``May your word ... and your sacrifice be celebrated and strengthen the hearts of all the faithful.''

Sun shone from rooftop clerestories as a brass quintet accompanied by an organ silent during a yearlong remodeling bolstered an afternoon of song.

Mahony, followed by area priests, flung holy water onto churchgoers before anointing the new alter, walls and baptismal font with incense and oil.

``Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes,'' sang the choir and congregation: Praise God, all peoples.

To the 4,000 families who make up St. Paschal, it was a great and holy day.

``We've waited for this day,'' said Norm Panto, 72, of Thousand Oaks, who arrived early with his wife to secure a front-row pew. ``It's a special day. It's God's home. It's permanent.''

``It's beautiful,'' added Pina, his wife, of the church. ``It's innovative. It's comfortable.''

St. Paschal was modernized according to recommendations by a national council of bishops, church officials said. The baptismal font was moved forward. The altar was surrounded on three sides by new wooden pews.

Lights were added, as were a new sound system, vestry and multipurpose room.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Cross bearer James Jenkins, 15, leads part of the clerical procession Sunday at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church.

(2) Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, right, speaks with other clergy before dedication ceremonies.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer