In 2015, after a donor gave $100,000 for the restoration of the altar railing, Bishop (now Archbishop) Gregory Hartmayer gave us permission to restore the altar railing.
Subsequent photos show the extension of the first step to accommodate the restoration of the railing and the last photo is the complete restoration.
We had stored the original removed railing in the basement of one of our buildings on campus. However, in the 1970’s the double gates to the main entrance of the sanctuary and one gate at a side entrance had been lost. We only had the other side gate.
New pieces needed for the altar railing were fabricated, looking identical to the older ones and new gates were fabricated to match the one we had—and there was no telling of the difference between the new and the original. Amazing!
8 comments:
Father McDonald,
You are the polar opposite of a priest who is clericalism on steroids. You were able to recognize that symbols are powerful: kneeling for Holy Communion reinforces belief in the Real Presence and acknowledging you were wrong in removing the altar railing. Bravo!!! Alas, with that level of awareness you will never be made a bishop!
Father, never underestimate the impact of the moves you made at St. Joseph's over the years. Your blog was the first place I saw an ad orientem Novus Ordo actually done somewhere (after reading Ratzinger's thoughts about ad orientem in high school). St. Joseph's was also the first parish I saw where the TLM and NO existed side-by-side. Between all that and your eventual restoration of the altar rail, it gave me hope that parish life could move toward tradition in more places.
I could not agree with you more- TJM and Michael Baker! Those were certainly halcyon days liturgically at St Joseph! I continue to offer prayers of Thanksgiving to God for having sent us the Beloved, orthodox, faithful, very wise earthly Chief Shepherd, Pope Benedict XVl who restored unrestricted celebration of this Mass of so many Saints and you,
Fr. McDonald , a very wise local Shepherd/Pastor who recognized the Spiritual ramifications of this awesome decision for your flock! You therefore learned to celebrate in time to celebrate it for us either on that very first day when it was allowed ( Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Friday, September 14, 2007 or certainly by Sunday, September 16th)! I thought my heart was going to split in two at that Mass, from the ecstasy of the experience, which I had never expected to have in my local parish - ever again!!! And yes, the restoration of the altar railing so reception of the Holy Eucharist, while reverently kneeling could more easily once again be the more common way to receive this AWESOME MIRACLE, completed the transformation!!!
Who wouldn’t love a Shepherd like you !!!
Thanks for these wonderful memories!
And yes, most of us here are still kneeling to receive Holy Communion- probably everyone who is physically able to do so!
Many still receive in the hand, but an increasing number have been receiving on the tongue!
The incredible Spiritual difference those changes made in the life of St Joseph Parishioners - will not be fully appreciated until you stand in front of your Actual Master ( all your authority figures here on earth are only “ overseers” at different levels, including the Pope) to “ give an account” and receive your reward!!!
May God continue to heap Blessings on you, Father, including the gift of “ final perseverance” despite the current chaos, turbulence in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic ( Perennial) Church!
Sophia that was a wonderful statement. I have never seen anyone wax so eloquently and passionately over the Novus Ordo.
I remember your work in those days. It’s surprising to find that I have followed your blog for so long. You have convinced me that the NO can be prayed in a respectful and reverent way. I hope that can become the norm someday.
Thank you TJM! I am very grateful to Fr. Mc Donald for the Liturgical legacy he left us!!!
It sounds like the legacy continues to this day!
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