Letter from the Pastor
-
October 9, 2022Welcome Home!!!
What began on August 1st is just about competed. I am so grateful to God in being able to return to the Upper Church almost on schedule! There are some little projects that are still to be finished: the two commissioned paintings, the pedestals for Mary and Joseph and the other saints, the new baptistery and pedestal for the Blessed Sacrament, and the new altar rail which will contain the original 1931 gates to the sanctuary. I am so happy we can use the gates once again.
I would like to thank all those who made suggestions regarding the second commissioned painting that will be done for our Church. All were very good ideas, from Christ with the children, Christ teaching, the Holy Family to Sts. Monica, Augustine, Mother Teresa. A number suggested scenes about the Eucharist, particularly the Last Supper, feeding the 5,000 etc. As I reflected and asked others, it seemed to be a Eucharistic theme emerging. As you know the Bishops of our Country have instituted a 3-year revival of Eucharistic piety and renewal of faith in the Eucharist. Secondly in the niche where the painting will be placed, was for many years the place of Reservation of the Eucharist and the Tabernacle. When the Church went under its first renovation after Vatican II, Msgr. Bell put the Tabernacle on that sidewall. Msgr. Doyle carved out the niche and placed the Tabernacle there on its present pedestal. It was the home of our Eucharistic Lord for many years.
Then in 1995, Cardinal O’Connor consecrated the present Altar of Sacrifice, and two new side windows were blessed with the names of the priests who served our Parish. In the future, I would like to add the names of the priests who served here since 1995. In addition, the beautiful mosaic of the two peacocks, which symbolize new life and the Eucharist, is above the niche. It would complete the Sanctuary area with the two fonts of sacramental life: Baptism and the Eucharist.
So, I have asked the artist to come with some ideas containing what is known as the Mystic Lamb of God with Eucharistic themes.
I am also happy to see that all the stained glass windows in Church are now illuminated. LED lamps now backlight the two small windows, which were hidden behind the beautiful gold drapes, in the alcove. These two side windows depict the instruments of the Lord’s death, the cross and nails. Our older parishioners will remember the Crucifixion scene of Christ, Our Blessed Lady and Saint John that occupied the alcove. Sadly, that statue has been lost to history, along with the outdoor statue of St. Margaret.
I hope and pray that the restoration of the Church will lead us to a deeper sacramental prayer life and a greater union with God. Beauty is a door that leads to God. Everything we do for God especially in the Liturgy ought to be our best. Everything related to the Sacred Liturgy, words, actions, vestments and music are used to reveal this Divine Beauty to us.
We must give great attention and make true sacrifices in order to have beautiful churches that radiate the worship of God. I am so grateful that we as a parish had the opportunity to make our little Church even more beautiful. I am grateful to all who contributed (or will contribute) to the Renew and Rebuild Campaign.
In the next few weeks, I would like to dedicate these columns regarding the restoration of our Parish Church.
