Some Updates
We have begun construction of a new display of our tabernacle. You will see a LARGE TEMPORARY wall that is keeping the construction dust and activity hidden. This TEMPORARY wall will be up for most of the summer, and the project is expected to be complete by mid to late August. Thanks for your flexibility and understanding as we construct a new area for the tabernacle, a statue of Mary, and a new accessibility ramp.
As I have said for the past few years, the current display of the tabernacle does not provide a safe way to access it, so SAFETY is the number one reason for this reconstruction. The current accessibility ramp runs too close to the front of the tabernacle. Many of you do not approach the tabernacle so you might not be aware of this. However, our Eucharistic Ministers routinely gather in the sacristy behind the altar to collect consecrated hosts after communion at Mass, and then usually only one Eucharistic Minister or the ministry lead places those hosts in the tabernacle. In many other churches, it is much easier for any minister to approach and access the Body of Christ in the tabernacle. In addition, Ministers of Care also must access the Body of Christ to take to people in their homes, hospitals, and other facilities. We want them to access the tabernacle safely.
When this construction is finished, access will be much safer.
The second reason for the change is REVERENCE. I have always felt that our church must display the tabernacle in a more reverent manner. It houses the Body of Christ and is thus a dwelling for the REAL PRESENCE of Christ in our daily midst.
Third, the large Baptismal font, which was the original font, is no longer functional. The large stone structure became obsolete once the new and current Baptismal font was installed in 2006. The location of the current font expresses architecturally the importance of us gathering AROUND our Baptism each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. It also provides a beautiful expression of so many other Sacraments. For example, each Monday evening when we offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, people walk through those fonts to the priest seated beneath our Cross of New Life, who offers the new life of God’s forgiveness. We come from the waters of Baptism to the grace of reconciling with God and each other.
Brides and grooms walk THROUGH and FROM the waters of Baptism as they process to the altar for the sacred commitments of Marriage. Our teens walk through those fonts to make a commitment to extend the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the world in the Sacrament of Confirmation. I have had the honor to pray with those seeking healing in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick while standing in the midst of those fonts. Thus, in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, the architecture of our church grounds all other Sacraments in Baptism.
Then the ultimate is the total immersion of adults during the Easter Vigil in the four-foot deep font beneath the wooden top in the very center of our main aisle. This really emphasizes the centrality of our Baptism.
I understand that many of you were baptized in that old font and may have a sentimental connection with it. We will have some stones available for you if that would help you hold on to their significance in your life.
Finally, we will be adding a statue of the Blessed Mother. The first phase of this project was moving the statue collection of the Holy Family to a much more visible place in our narthex. So many have commented that the old location of this collection did not properly celebrate our community as a Holy Family. As we moved the collection of statues, a teen Jesus, Mary and Joseph to the narthex, it has become a much more visible expression of our identity as a Holy Family.
This also opens a much more reverent display of Mary in our church.
Church Speakers
We are also continuing to research and determine the best replacement speakers for our church. Gene Garcia is working with sound experts so that we can ultimately provide the best sound system, enabling ALL to hear more clearly. We will keep you updated on this project.
Associate Pastor Conversations
I shared with you recently that I interviewed four priests as potential Associate Pastors, one of whom the staff interviewed as well. I submitted a prioritized list of those candidates to the Priest Placement Board for their consideration, but none of them chose us here at Holy Family as their number one preference. In the Placement Board’s wisdom, none of them would be a good fit for our community. This means that we will continue to pursue some other limited options for an Associate Pastor.