A groundbreaking will be held March 2 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church for its $2.2 million expansion.

The groundbreaking will follow the regular 10:30 a.m. mass at approximately 11:30.

“Whether we can get a shovel in the ground or not, we will have a groundbreaking,” joked Father Joe McCormick, pastor at Our Lady.

The morning mass will be celebrated by guest Most Rev. James Murray, retired bishop of the Kalamazoo Diocese. Also expected to attend are Very Rev. Robert Prevost, former Prior General of the Augustinian Order and Very Rev. Bernard Scianna, provincial of the Midwest Province of Augustinians, as well as other visiting priests.

A reception will take place in the social hall following the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Ladies Guild is making tablecloths for the reception and will serve as hostesses.

The $2.2 million project will include expansion of the worship area from approximately 330 seats to 450. A large gathering space, renovation of offices, expanded parking and improvements to the Edwardsburg Emergency Fund Food Pantry are also included.

Once complete, there will be a common entrance as well as extra restrooms.

According to McCormick, the expansion was needed due to the growth of the parish and much-needed upgrades.

“We are using every square inch of the property,” McCormick said. “We have been talking about this for at least six years and probably for much longer than that.”

The project, which is being overseen by architect Sam Jones of The Troyer Group of Mishawaka, will take seven months to complete. Ancon Construction of Goshen, Ind., is the general contractor.

During the construction, mass will be held in the social hall and the food pantry will be moved to a classroom below the hall.

Our Lady is accepting contributions from the general public, especially for the improvements planned for the food pantry.