Posted December 1, 2014

Bishop John McIntyre led a prayer service Nov. 21 at Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond section, where the former parish school will become a facility of 63 one-bedroom apartments for seniors in the community. Catholic Health Care Services of the Philadelphia Archdiocese is the lead organizer of the project that is relying heavily on federal and city funds. Read the full story here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Father Joseph Fedak, pastor of Nativity and St. Adalbert Parishes in Port Richmond, leads a portion of the prayer service.

Joseph Sweeney (center), secretary for Catholic Human Services of the archdiocese, explains the project to participants at the prayer service.

The solid building will become apartments for seniors after significant renovation lasting about a year.

A sign over a window at the nearly century-old Nativity building shows the partners of the project that archdiocesan Catholic Health Care Services is organizing. The project is receiving most of its funding from federal and city agencies. (Sarah Webb)

Bishop John McIntyre prepares to begin a prayer service Nov. 21 in front of Nativity B.V.M. Place, which will transform the former Nativity Parish School into a modern assisted living facility for seniors living in the Port Richmond neighborhood. (Sarah Webb)

Bishop McIntyre greets participants at the prayer service, which was attended by community residents and students at Our Lady of Port Richmond School, the regional Catholic school.

Bishop John McIntyre blesses the front door of the former Nativity B.V.M. School with holy water. In about a year the building will become Nativity B.V.M. Place, a senior living facility.

Bishop John McIntyre leads the prayer service that included a blessing of the Nativity school building that in about a year will become Nativity B.V.M. Place. (Sarah Webb)