Saint Andrew Parish isn't far from Utah Valley, just 15 minutes northwest from the point of the mountain. I went the long way, but it was a nice ride with no traffic. The church is located in a very nice rural
As you enter through the two sets of double doors there is a foyer where the school office is on the left and the gymnasium is on the right. Immediately before the office doors and to the left is a large dedication plaque that I have shown below. Just in front as you enter the foyer is a painting of Saint Andrew. He is referred to as being one of the disciples more closely attached to Jesus, Saint Andrew told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes - John 6:8. We headed into the gym through the doors on the right. There were folding chairs with cushions that made then quite comfortable. The gymnasium is just that, but with the cross, altar and priest, it becomes a church.
The church may be simple, but that does not mean that the Holy Spirit does not enter. There is no lack of the Holy Spirit at Saint Andrew. (Below are photos and descriptions that you may click and enlarge for better viewing.)
Fr. John Evans was celebrating mass and his homily was just perfect and enlightening. He speaks from his heart and soul. You can feel the that he is passionate and wants to bring that out to his parishioners. Fr. John makes himself very approachable and welcoming to newcomers like myself. After mass, my husband and I went to shake his hand and he noticed that we were new and asked our names and such. We had a nice chat. I was able to ask my favorite question, "What makes your church special?" His answer was: "There are lots of things. One of the things I hold dear to this place that it is two sides of a coin. One is we don't have a church. But what we do have is a beautiful school and a gymnasium to celebrate in. The community tends to be smaller because a lot of people want to celebrate in a church or have a wedding in a church and not in a gymnasium. But, the community we have here is absolutely dedicated and it is a little bit smaller. But as soon as we build a church it will grow a lot bigger. The smaller community helps people to get to know each other better. That is one of the special things here and they really do pull together in the ministries of the parish."
Thank you Father John and the parishioners of Saint Andrew Catholic Church for making me welcome. Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! - Thessalonians 3:16