Until Sunday, Sister Beverly Ann Bodnar had not seen her beloved St. Francis Xavier parish buildings since the 1970s.

The Catholic parish’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the present church building gave her the opportunity to reconnect.

“It’s 33 years since I’ve been here,” the Dayton, Ohio, resident said.

Sister Bodnar’s story and those of many other past and present parishioners resonated throughout the afternoon on the church grounds. The centennial also included a visit by the Most Rev. Robert Finn, bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Bishop Finn celebrated a special Mass at the church for the occasion, joined by the parish’s priests and other visiting clergy.

“Congratulations to the parish,” he told a large congregation. “It (St. Francis Xavier church) has survived. I pray that it will outlast us all.”

Parish members gathered afterward for a meal and — like Sister Bodnar and Sister Joanne Fitzpatrick of Omaha, Neb. — to savor old and lasting friendships. Sister Fitzpatrick is a former student at the parish school who has family in St. Joseph.

For Sister Bodnar, who is a member of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, the anniversary was a venue to remember her time as the principal at St. Francis Xavier School from 1970 to 1976. Sisters of the Precious Blood were associated with the parish for 92 years, and Sister Bodnar was the last nun to serve as school principal. The Society of the Precious Blood continues to direct St. Francis Xavier with its organization of priests as it has since 1891.

“I’m very happy to see how they changed the church,” Sister Bodnar said. “It’s nice.”

The church sanctuary was renovated into a modern look in the 1970s. Another renovation earlier this decade highlighted the building’s original beauty while adding new features. St. Joseph architect Edmund Eckel showed a Gothic revival influence when he designed the church, which was dedicated in February 1909.

Bishop Finn used his homily to stress the importance of parish members and their ancestors in keeping the church alive and well.

“The faith of the families endures,” he said. “Mighty God visits mankind.”

The church is vital, he said, as a way of giving thanks and to “realign ourselves after our brushes with the world.”

The celebration also featured musical entertainment, church and school tours, historic timelines, photographs and mementos.

The Rev. Ron Will, the church’s pastor, asked parishioners to stand up before Mass to acknowledge the decade they became members. The sanctuary can hold about 400 people, the Rev. Will said, and all pews seemed to be filled for the service.

There are 1,000 households in the parish, according to church bulletin editor Roberta Seevers. A total of 214 families had themselves listed in a special commemorative edition, she added.

Pope Benedict XVI sent apostolic blessings and greetings to the parish for the centennial and also to Geraldine Lawhon, who has provided 70 years of pastoral music at St. Francis Xavier.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.