LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Sophie Gabana sat in the front pews of St. Martha's Church in Luzerne County on Sunday, reflecting on the institution's centennial.
Gabana is 98 years old and first visited this church in Fairmount Springs when she was a little girl. Much of St. Martha's history, for her, is a living memory.
"It was just a couple pews. It was great, though it was nice," said Sophie.
The Diocese of Scranton commemorated this church's first 100 years Sunday with a mass led by Bishop Joseph Bambera.
In his homily, Bishop Bambera told churchgoers the point of the celebration is not just to commemorate a building but a community.
That history starts in the summer of 1924 with the construction of a small, simple structure.
By the 1950s and 60s, the community had grown, and so too would that small, simple building.
The cornerstone was laid in 1959 for the church that stands today.
That's where Sophie Gabana's daughter, Nancy Gabana Wayes, spent part of her childhood singing in the choir, "We had very few people in the choir. Like today it was so beautiful, we're so blessed with the choir today, it was just phenomenal. It was just my sister and I most of the time, just playing the organ and singing," she said.
But Bishop Bambera wanted to make clear to churchgoers that the point of Sunday's celebration is not just to remember the history of a building. It's really to commemorate a community that was, is and may yet be for years more.
"Look at what you've done here at St. Martha's for 100 years. You have treasured and respected life, and you have called your brothers and sisters and all of us to respect that sublime gift of god. In short brothers and sisters, whether you will say it or not, I will as your bishop. You have been, and you continue to be, the hands and the voice and the heart of Jesus in our midst," said Bishop Bambera.