Mahony Leads Dedication of Moorpark Church : Religion: Cardinal oversees ceremony at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, which features a sanctuary with a holy water font from the San Fernando Mission.

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony told several hundred Moorpark parishioners Saturday that their new Holy Cross Catholic Church should act as a foundation for their faith.

Mahony oversaw the two-hour Mass and dedication ceremony that marked the end of a two-year effort to bring the 6,000-member parish a new place of worship.

“So much of our rite today is focused not on the building itself, but on the people who will come and worship here,” Mahony said. “The blessing of the church is to consecrate us . . . as we go into our homes, our families, our work, to make a difference in the world.”

Several parishioners said they felt a special attachment to the new structure because they were involved in the fund-raising and construction of the church.

“This community has put so much effort into this project,” said parishioner Tom Savage, a Moorpark resident. “This is really a major event for us because so many of us were involved in it.”

The project, which finished a year ahead of schedule, involved the construction of a sanctuary as well as church offices. Located at the top of Peach Hill Road, the copper-domed buildings overlook much of the city of Moorpark.

Inside, the sanctuary is bright and modern, but church officials said it has several items that “preserve a sense of familiarity with the previous worship space.”

Those include memorial stained glass windows and a marble holy water font that was originally constructed and used at the San Fernando Mission.

During the rite of dedication, Mahony burned incense and spread chrism, a holy oil, across the marble-covered altar.

“As one enters any door, the first thing that should draw our attention and hold our attention is the altar,” Mahony said. That is because it is from the altar that the religious message is passed.

James Sandoval, a parishioner at the Holy Cross Catholic Church for 17 years, said the event was momentous.

“It’s a very solemn and gratifying moment to see this finally happen,” Sandoval said. “We’ve been at this for two years and this is the culmination of all our work.”

“I think it looks really pretty,” said 16-year-old Danny Lemus. “And I’m glad the cardinal was able to come to this. That made it really special.”

Mahony said he was honored to be invited.

“My friends,” he said, “today is a wonderful moment in the history of the Holy Cross Parish.”