MILFORD--Archbishop Mansell will bless the new Mabel Saloomey Center, a four-room addition to Christ the Redeemer Church in Milford, on Sunday, July 24 after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

The long-awaited addition was made possible by its namesake, Mabel Saloomey, a founding member of the parish, who left $450,000 in her will. The addition will facilitate religious education classes for students. The Archdiocesan Catholic Biblical School will also hold classes at the center.

“She (Saloomey) was very clear that she wanted the money to go to an educational facility,” said Fr. Gerard G. Masters, temporary administrator of Christ the Redeemer. “We are so happy to be able to respect her wishes in such a grand way.”

According to Masters, Saloomey, as well as being a philathopist, was a lover of art. Some of her still life paintings of flowers adorn the rectory and sacristy.

Prior to the center being built, religious education classes were held in the Church Hall where the lack of space was certainly an issue.

In addition to Saloomey’s bequest, additional funding needed to complete construction was raised through a capital campaign.

“The parishioners have responded with incredible generosity,” said Masters. The capital campaign will continue through 2012.

Masters, who said the addition has taken three years to complete, has one regret and that is that Fr. Cyriac Maliekal, pastor of Church the Redeemer, won’t be present on Sunday for the blessing, because he is on a medical leave.