Tabernacle Project
This project began quite some time ago. For years, I thought that the area around our Tabernacle could be remodeled to match the rest of our church’s architecture. The original Baptismal font with the multi-tiered rocks became obsolete once the five fonts were installed in the center aisle (four around the center aisle and one big one beneath it). Those fonts celebrate a great theology of Baptism in that we regularly pass through them and above them, and we convene around them every time we gather in the church, but particularly as we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. All sacraments are rooted in Baptism.
As I continued to reflect on the space, I noticed that it was not a proper display of the tabernacle and accessing it was actually unsafe. I also noticed that the beautiful collection of the Holy Family (an adolescent Jesus, with Mary and Joseph) was hardly even noticed by many and needed a more recognizable place. The first phase of this project was moving that collection into our Narthex, where many now comment on its uniqueness. I often say that Jesus is depicted in the statue as an adolescent, emphasizing that we acknowledge the significant role that teens play in our community and the vibrant, relevant nature of our Teen Faith ministries.
Once that collection was relocated to the Narthex, I began to ask individual donors to help fund the Tabernacle renovation project. Thank you to some very generous people!
Work began, and a temporary wall was constructed for safety reasons and enabled workers and craftsmen to create something new. Even though the temporary wall has now come down, THE PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETE. After a few final touches, the SAME, original Tabernacle that we have had for years will be relocated in the peaked structure on the back wall of the area. A new statue of Mary will be placed in the smaller peaked structure to the left once it arrives from Italy, hopefully by mid-November.
I hope you appreciate that the space is cleaner, it blends in well with the rest of the church, it offers a safer, more reverent display with easier access for all to the tabernacle, and a permanent place for the Blessed Mother.
Many thanks to Ro Geisler, Gene Garcia, Scott Baietti, our Maintenance staff, Bernie Schaeffer, Dawn Mayer, our Facilities Committee, specifically Bob Shor, for their assistance.
New Speakers in Church
I want to thank our Facilities Committee, Gene Garcia, Scott Baietti and parishioner Alec Kinastowski for their efforts in the installation of new speakers in church. Several people commented that the sound quality is much improved, as they were installed before last weekend’s many liturgies. As with the Tabernacle Project, the sound from the new speakers may require additional adjustments, but they do provide a significant upgrade.
Welcome Fr. Chuck Dahm
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so we welcome Fr. Dahm to speak at all Masses this Sunday regarding Domestic Violence. Violence within our homes is probably more common than we think. Please give Fr. Dahm a warm Holy Family welcome.
Shea on this Gospel
My theologian friend Jack Shea offers a wise reflection on this weekend’s Gospel Passage from Matthew (22:15-22) in his book, Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospel for Christian Preachers and Teachers. (Liturgical Press, Year A edition, page 305).
This passage is summed up by the phrase, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.”
Because of the second part of the statement, I believe it is deeply theological and spiritual. Therefore, I find his commentary very helpful. He writes…
“Most theological and spiritual matters are best approached by careful exploration and balanced evaluation. This is especially true when the interaction between the spiritual and social realms is being considered. This is more complex than a factual “yes” or “no.” Avoiding the trap of false alternatives is the first step toward more adequate discernment. Jesus avoids the traps of ego-baiting and false alternatives. So, he does not best his opponents; he names their malicious and ego-driven game and refuses to play it. He also does not fall into the rules of “yes” or “no” they have constructed; instead, he names the terms of discernment, the everlasting tension between God and emperor. This has to be a better map for how to reflect on the complexities of faith and society.”