It’s a small church with big goals. Parishioners at St. Sophia’s Catholic Church in Kaunakakai have outnumbered the seats at Sunday Mass for as long as they’ve been raising money for a new building — 10 years to be exact. But their dream of replacing the termite-infested church with a new and bigger one is nearing fruition.

Sacred Hearts Father Clyde Guerreiro, since July the church’s new pastor, announced to the community that they plan to begin the construction of their new church within a couple of years.

“On Christmas Eve of 2011, I would like to have our first Mass in the new church,” he said.

Father Guerreiro reasons that if they wait any longer, building prices will continue to rise way beyond the parish’s financial abilities. On an island with less than 8,000 residents, raising money is always a challenge, he said, so the time is ripe to get things rolling.

Rose Brito, a parishioner at St. Sophia’s said they are optimistic that soon they will be able to worship as one family. Their numbers are so large that many people sit outside during Mass, listening to the celebrant through the open doors and windows, but not able to see him.

“It’s difficult to say ‘we are one body of Christ’ when there are such physical barriers to participation,” she said.

Maria Sullivan, the fundraising chairwoman of the building committee, said that a parish big enough for their growing community — plus the weekly dose of visitors — is important for continuing the mission of Blessed Damien de Veuster, the missionary priest who ministered to patients of Hansen’s disease and other Molokai residents in the late 1800s.

The community’s plans to name the church after Blessed Damien coincides with the Vatican’s April announcement of further approval of a miracle attributed to the priest’s intercession. The miracle is in the last stages of evaluation by the Congregation for the Causes of Saint leaders, which when completed, could soon lead to his canonization.

The new church will be a tribute and a home to Father Damien’s mission — to bring Jesus’ Gospel to all, Sullivan said.

“Our mission also includes retelling the Damien story, which exemplifies Jesus’ Gospel, to build the kingdom of heaven here on Earth,” she added.

Building plans call for a wheel-chair accessible church with a fan-shaped seating arrangement that could seat 244 — almost double the current capacity of St. Sophia. Four additional multi-use rooms will be built to extend the main worship space as needed or to serve as classrooms and meeting rooms.

“For many years, the parish’s children have had religious education classes in the church carport and storage areas,” Sullivan said.

Also in the plans is a Blessed Sacrament chapel beyond the altar, and a meditation garden in the courtyard on the north side of the church. A parking lot at the rear of the building would adjoin a neighboring lot to provide spaces for 50 vehicles.

The cost — $3 million — will cover permits, subdivision fees, architects and consultants, site development, paving, utility hook-ups, landscaping, construction materials and labor.

The Molokai Catholic Community, the name of the parish comprising all of topside Molokai, still needs to raise several hundred thousand dollars before the diocese will match them with a loan for the remaining amount.

The island has seen more than its share of financial challenges this past year, most recently in the closing of the Molokai Ranch and its loss of 120 jobs. Yet the parishioners move forward, determined to meet their pastor’s goal.

In addition to its annual island fundraiser, the church is hosting a special gala at the Koolau Golf Club at Kaneohe, Oahu, on Aug. 16. The gala will feature a Hawaiian style buffet and entertainment, with a Father Damien historical photo display and silent auction tables. For more information on the gala and to reserve tickets, contact Barbara Helm at (808) 567-6773 or barb@sandwichisles.net.