Click on photograph to enlarge, then click on "original" and then at the original photo click again to super enlarge:
What did the good deacon forget to do in this candid camera shot? Of course I was oblivious to anything going on behind me!
The choir and congregation kneeling for the "Ecce Agnus Dei"
18 comments:
That is a beautiful Sanctuary Father. I love the High Altar and its vertical soaring towards the heavens. It lifts one's eyes and soul towards the Heavens. Magnificent.
I believe Father Kwiatkowski neglected to elevate the hem of your vestments :)
And yes Anon, it is a beautiful Sanctuary, it cries out for an Altar Rail (removed in 2005!! So close to being saved)
The first person(s) to give a check for $100,000, I will ask our new bishop for permission to reinstall a new one--we would have to extend the first step out so that it is wide enough for a new railing, for people to kneel on their side and for the priest to walk on his side. this would mean losing the first two pews in the center and sides and a loss of seating and new marble over the wood that would be exposed where the pews were and we need a wide enough aisle in front of the first step so that no one is tripped by the kneeling people. Send check right away!
If I had the $100K Father, I would pay it in a New York Minute.
Fr. McDonald, I wonder whether I would go wrong in guessing--from a comfortably safe distance-that in a parish of the size, demographics, and history as yours--raising the cost of a new altar rail would not be an insuperable barrier if one were seriously planned.
Father
You should be proud of your church - it's very beautiful. And how blessed you are to have a newly-ordained priest willing and able to celebrate Mass in the EF.
Can't send you $100K but I will start adding an altar rail to my prayer intentions.
'Sounds like a Knights of Columbus/CCW fundraiser to me!
Altar rail? $100K? Bake Sale!!
rcg
Father; About altar rails: If the original rail was taken out in 2005 was it just discarded? Most likely it was marble to match the high altar and statues. Was it just trashed? Under who's watch did that happen? Poor judgement. You have to ask permission to reinstall an altar rail?
Buy it Pa, I'll pay fer it (in my prayers at least)! -pgal
The altar railing was not of the same quality as the other marble, had been knocked over a couple of times and was of a porous marble, almost like something from outside. It was short also, in that it only fitted between the columns to the entrances of the sanctuary thus constricting the sanctuary as we pulled things out with the renovation. Part of the railing is in the adoration chapel. Only one gate remains and we don't know where the others are.
The Knights of Columbus, in a much smaller parish than St. Joseph, Macon, have raised as much as $20,000.00 proceeds in a "reverse raffle" with cash prizes. This requires a planned minimum sale of tickets (to fund the prizes) and targeted sales to those who can afford buy more tickets ($100.00 each). The tickets always provide that all monies will be refunded to buyers if the minimum number to fund prizes is not sold by a definite date.
This provides a potential for a lot more money than a bake sale and a serious contribution to the altar rail fund, which will, obviously, be a multi-year effort to raise the $100,000.00, probably from multiple sources and methods.
In Father's defense, I think his comment to me was tongue in cheek, and therefore the price of $100K is not based on anything. He may know otherwise, but I don't think replacing the Altar Rail has been priced out.
Although the Altar rail was removed "on Father's watch" it was done as part of a restoration project that began before his assignment to St. Joseph, his involvement may have been minimal, and in any event, the quality of the rail was, as he pointed out, such that it would have required replacing if it stayed and in 2005 who could have predicted where we are Liturgically today.
Given that St Joseph is in the middle of a large (4 Million) capital campaign at the moment, hitting the Laity up for (fill in balnk, $100K) may not be the most opportune time.
Having said all that, if Father were serious about considering the installation of a new rail who knows, maybe the Capital campaign will generate more than we need and the extra could be used in that way. Or maybe Father, being inspired by the seriousness with which his off hand comment was received, he could explore what it would really cost and motivated Laity cold take it upon themselves as a labor of love to find ways to raise the Money for it's acquistion and installation.
Since Templar broached the Capital Campaign subject, this sort of discussion makes me realize just how hard it must be to be a pastor. I'm sure there are many of us commenters here (from St. Joseph) who would donate more to such a campaign if we knew it would result in a new altar rail; whereas, there are many parishioners who would refuse to donate if they knew there was a chance their money might be used for such a "traditional" purpose!
What a world and a fine line for a priest to walk - that's why they need our prayers: to keep them safe from all the Modernists in their congregations with the deep pockets!
::sarcasm, but I'll let you decide which parts are meant sarcastically::
What´s the name of the church?
Thank you!
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon, GA.
Thank you!
http://accionliturgica.blogspot.com/2011/11/pro-defunctis-mmxi-4.html
Thank you for posting us on your blog! Are you in Spain? What city? God bless. Fr. McDonald
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