YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A large crowd was on hand, as Bishop Murry and other church leaders joined in the blessing and dedication of the new parish center.

"It will be a center for parish activities and a place where all may come to know one another and give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ," says Murry.

"It's a very emotional time for me and for our parish because this is a dream come true. This is an answer to prayers it's a sign of hope," says Father Greg Maturi of St. Dominic's Church.

The new $1.2 million center took a year and a half of fund raising and 12 months of construction. It totals 8,000 square foot, with a main reception hall and a full kitchen.

"Even two years ago, nobody thought this was possible and here it's a reality," Maturi says.

The center fills a void that has existed since an older parish center was torn down.

"It's especially important now because for the past two years we've had no place to have any kind of parish activities within our church," says Lori Neill, Parish Council.

After the tragedies in 2010, Father Maturi has been at the forefront of a campaign called Operation Redemption, an effort to give the south side neighborhood a new birth.

40 vacant and abandoned houses have been removed. Crime fighting has been stepped up and St. Dominic's has been at the center of it all.

"It's not enough just to get rid of bad activity. One has to bring in good activity. Now we have a facility to bring in a lot of good activities," she says.