In an ambitious project which echoes the new vibrancy that seems to be sweeping through the ancient town of St. George's, Stella Maris Church is celebrating its 50th anniversary by renovating its Parish Centre.

Situated just behind the distinctive white and red-trimmed towered church, the core of the 200-year old building known as The Rectory will be retained, with a new wing of five multi-purpose rooms, modern facilities and an upstairs studio apartment for the resident priest.

Stressing that the new centre will be available to all St. Georgians, Father Glen Baptiste comments, "Everyone lives so closely here, it doesn't make much difference whether you are a parishioner or not -- anyone is welcome to use the centre. We see this particularly as a place for the youth in and around St. George's. The Catholic community here wishes to make a valuable contribution to the whole of St. George's -- Catholics and non-Catholics. We hope it will be a place where events can be hosted for everyone. We are a part of the bigger community.'' With its capital fundraising campaign already launched, a total of $108,000 of the projected $200,000 has so far been pledged over a three-year period.

Part of the almost palpable sense of renewal at Stella Maris is undoubtedly due to the arrival in the parish, exactly one year ago, of Father Glen. As the first Bermudian-born and raised priest to be given his own parish, he has already secured a place in the history books. This, however, appears to be the last thing on his mind, as he speaks enthusiastically, humorously -- and humbly -- about his pastorship.

"The Catholic church believes that all baptised Christians have a responsibility to continue to advance the work of Jesus. That's a responsibility for all of us and we all do it in our different ways -- some of us choose to do it as ordained priests. It was my way of making a worthwhile contribution to try and uphold the values of Jesus.'' Admitting he was happy to be back in Bermuda, Father Glen says that the current trend in the Catholic church is for native people to minister in their own territories. "That was one of the reasons Bishop Kurtz brought me back home. It's my hope,'' he adds, "to remain in the church of Bermuda for the rest of my priesthood.'' Father Glen's has spent 15 years overseas in the arduous preparation for his pastorship. He was educated at Mount Saint Agnes. No, he insists with a laugh, he had no plans at that time, of becoming a priest -- and probably, neither did his teachers. "If you had to choose the `most likely' to go off to a seminary I would probably have been the last choice! I was definitely not the sort of kid you would imagine doing something like that!'' After acquiring a degree in philosophy and social studies at the University of Waterloo, he took his Masters in theology and pastoral studies at the University of Toronto with further graduate work at the University of St.

Louis, Missouri. After a year's deaconship in Florida, he was ordained as a priest, went on to teach in a private Catholic school and served as associate pastor in a large parish in Missouri for four years before the summons to come home was sounded.

"I came back `all ears', certainly with no grandiose dreams but to be aware of what is going on in Bermuda. We have a responsibility to reach out to the culture in which we live. As priests, we don't remove ourselves from society -- we immerse ourselves in society and try to carry the values of the church with us.'' With the present increase in the congregation, the expansion of the church's pastoral role cannot come too soon, says Tom Costello, committee member of the fundraising committee. "We would welcome contributions from anyone, and especially those who are interested in the fate of St. George's. As the Centre is well within the historic district of St. George's, our restoration is being carried out in accordance with the mandates of The Historic Preservation Authority. This,'' he adds, "makes the project more costly but we fully support the St. George's vision for the future.'' He reveals that future plans include a pastoral care team to assist the sick, the home-bound and the bereaved.

For almost 150 years, there has been a Roman Catholic community in St.

George's but only in the last half-century has it been able to support a congregation of its own. In the 19th century, Catholics and Protestants worshipped in a barracks chapel under a military chaplain.

By 1930 there were only 20 Catholics in the old town but, with a remarkable display of faith, the priest of the time proceeded to set up a building fund.

Perhaps as an answer to his prayers, the unexpected arrival of hundreds of Americans who came to build the new military base in World War II, transformed the difficult situation for, by 1946, there was $24,000 in the fund.

Another piece of good fortune occurred in 1937 when S.S. Toddings (proprietor of the Mid-Ocean News ), son of the former organist, sold to the Catholic community, an old house off York Street, formerly the 19th century residence of a St. George's merchant. Instead of tearing the house down -- as had been originally planned -- an ambitious renovation project began. In 1946, construction began on the first Catholic church building in St. George's. The first Mass was celebrated at Christmas in 1947, which milestone is being celebrated this year as the 50th anniversary of what became Stella Maris Parish Church.

New era dawns for church Father Glen says he has felt privileged to become part of the community in St.

George's. "This is an historic sea port, so I always visit the three cruise ships that come here in the summer. At one time, the liners had their own priests on board but,'' he adds in not altogether mock despair, "priests are now an endangered species, so that's no longer the case. It is gratifying that sometimes, 100 people or more will turn up for Mass or to renew their marriage vows.'' The Stella Maris 50th Anniversary Community Covenant Committee is headed by Andrew Martin and Eugene Lima, with Father Glen, Tom Costello, Mary Jo Farrow, Maryann Fenster and Rosellen Gonzales serving as members.

Further information on, or contributions to the fund should be sent to the Committee, c/o Stella Maris Church, St. George's.