PLEASE READ THE DECEMBER 2006 EDITION (VOL. 6: ISSUE 24) OF THE BELLTOWER BEACON TO READ THE LATEST ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ST. CHRISTOPHER CHURCH CONCERNING THE RENOVATION PROJECT. THINGS SEEM TO BE ON HOLD FOR NOW. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE TALLY OF HOW MANY PARISHIONERS WERE FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSALS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. ONE MAY DEDUCE FROM THE ARTICLE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE WERE AGAINST MOVING THE TABERNACLE AND PLACING THE BAPTISMAL FONT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AISLE THAT THOSE CHANGES TO THE INSIDE OF THE CHURCH MAY NOT COME ABOUT. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE WALL BEHIND THE SANCTUARY, THE BEAUTIFUL MOSAICS THAT ARE ON THAT WALL AND THE SIDE ALTARS OF MARY AND JOSEPH. HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL REMAIN INTACT. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES ALL WHO ARE ON THE ART & ARCHITECTURE COMMITTEE WHEN THEY OFFER THEIR REVISED PROPOSALS NEXT YEAR.

This is the outside view of St. Christopher Catholic Church which was built in the Romanesque style of architecture. The Church is located in Rocky River, Ohio on Detroit Avenue.

UPDATE: AFTER THE MEETINGS, NOW WHAT?

Thanks to all who attented the Sunday and Monday night meetings and expressing your opinions, pro or con , on the Renovation Proposals. The straw vote for both nights made it clear that these proposed renovations did not express the desires of the majority present. The vote favored those who want to retain the placement of the Tabernacle in its prominent place in the sanctuary and did not want the baptismal font located in the center of the processional aisle. There was a general agreement that other things that needed improvement--like the bathroom facilities and wiring--should definitively be fixed!

Please write your letter to the pastor who has asked to put your views in writing. These will be reviewed by the Art and Architecture Committee as stated. Those who are truly concerned about retaining the beauty of our church need to voice their opinion.It is certainly possible that other proposals may again be suggested for our church, but we must be firm in our desire to retain its beauty when committees and architectural experts are long gone.

A few notes on documents: Built of Living Stones is the main document that was used to present these Renovation Proposals. BLS is a document voted on by the United States Bishops but was never sent to Rome for approval. However, it is the document our bishop uses as the guideline in our diocese. As faithful catholics, we must submit to his authority. Within the preface of BLS, no. 10 clearly states that "Where the document quotes or reiterates norms from liturgical books and the Code of Canon Law, those prescriptions are binding on local communities and dioceses." In other words what is commanded to be done in the way of any architectural design change has already been printed in other approved documents. And, there is no church document anywhere that mandates any of these changes that have been proposed for our church--moving the tabernacle, building a baptismal font, moving the statues, etc.

SUMMARY OF LETTER AND PETITION TO BISHOP LENNON

Many parishioners are not in agreement with the proposed renovations at St. Christopher Church in Rocky River. The following is a summary of a letter of 10 points sent to Bishop Lennon on behalf of the 200 plus people who signed a petition for the bishop to make a serious review of these proposals:

1. The church has already been renovated in 1986 according to what was considered appropriate to celebrate the liturgy after Vatican II. Why is there a need for endless renovations?

2. Our tabernacle reserves the Blessed Sacrament in the most "noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated place and suitable for prayer", as directed in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Moving it elsewhere would make it less prominent, less readily visible, less beautifully decorated and less suitable for prayer. It would be unseen in a the corner or out of sight and forgotten in the prayer room.

3. There is no clamor from the parish community to make these renovations or to remove the tabernacle from where it is now. We can find no one who finds its placement not suitable for prayer as the Belltower Beacon article indicates. Even if that were true, a few parishioners displeasure with its placement does not justify dismantling it to another place.

4. If there is confusion as to why the tabernacle is in the sanctuary then it is the pastor's responsibility to clear up the confusion and properly catechize his parishioners--not dismantle the tabernacle and move it. The tabernacle houses the Most Blessed Sacrament--the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We believe this mystery as Catholics. We are not confused!

5. There is absolutely NO document that has any canonical authority(that is, coming from Rome or the Vatican or the Pope) that mandates any of these changes. The quotes used in the Belltower Beacon article from the G.I.R.M., which does have canonical approval, are FRAGMENTARY and taken out of context.

6. Removing the side altars of Mary and Joseph and placing the statues in a "Holy Family" side niche obscures and lessons the visible signs of piety that the faithful practice. The statues of St. Christopher and The Sacred Heart have not been addressed. Where are they going? In the basement?

7. Placing an immersible bapstismal font in the middle of the main aisle is impractical and unneeded. This is a Romanesque, Processional Church. It becomes an OBSTACLE as the priest PROCESSES into the church. It's also a hazard to small children and the handicapped. and may also be a fire hazard, making it difficult for people to get out of the church if such a tragedy occurred.

8. Tying in this renovation project with the capital campaign to retire a 1.2 million dollar debt and gym expansion forces parishioners to contribute to a renovation project even if they want to contribute to the first two concerns and not the renovation. This is totally unfair.

9. Built of Living Stones, the document from which most of these changes are based, again has no canonical authority. It does state in paragraph 75 however that " it will be important for all those involved to know what specific directives or guidelines the diocesan bishop has issued." The parish knows of no such guidelines or even if they exist!

10. There is no unanimous agreement from the "Art and Architecture committee" on these changes yet it is implied that these are their unanimous recommendations.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE POINTS

YOU CAN DO THE FOLLOWING:

pray.....pray.....pray

then.....

1. Write a one page letter to Bishop Lennon: 1027 Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 44114, stating your objections for whatever reason--the unnecesary expense, the moving of the tabernacle, the moving of the statues and mosaics, etc.

2. Attend the "Town Hall Meeting" on Sunday evening, 7:oo PM, August 27th and Monday evening, August 28th. You will have to endure a "Presentation" from the "Art and Architecture "Committee convincing you that these changes are mandated and need to proceed. (You can read the entire quote from the G.I.R.M in paragraph 314 and see that it is perfectly acceptable to have the tabernacle in the sanctuary; the Belltower Beacon article conveniently quotes only a fragment of that paragraph). Even Built of Living Stones says that the sanctuary is an acceptable placement of the tabernacle in paragraph 79! You must VOICE YOUR OPINION AT THE MEETING!

3. Write a letter to the pastor stating your objections to these changes. MAKE YOUR OBJECTIONS KNOWN!

IF NOTHING IS DONE WE WILL HAVE A GUTTED CHURCH WITH THE TABERNACLE IN THE CORNER OR OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ALTOGETHER, WITH NO MARY OR JOSEPH ALTARS!

READ THE BOOK THE RENOVATION MANIPULATION BY MICHAEL ROSE!

This is the best source of information!

Read the TEXT of Cardinal Arinze's speech at the Westminster Catheral in April 2006!

Specifically, go to the section titled: "4. Manifestations of Adoration and Reverence" where the Cardinal speaks about how some "misguided people" have relegated the tabernacle to an obscure location.

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/arinze123.html

Spread the word!!

This is a great link to Adoremus Bulletin written by Helen Hull Hitchcock. In this article, Helen explains the importance of placing the tabernacle in the sanctuary. Check it out!

http://www.adoremus.org/7-899Tabernacle.html

Online Edition - Vol. V, No. 5: July/August 1999

Article Name:
"They have taken away my Lord,

and I know not where they have laid Him"
by Helen Hull Hitchcock

Click on Architecture at the Bottom of Helen's Ariticle for More Info

These beautiful statues would be relegated to obscurity

if these renovations take place.

Where is the consideration for the gifts of generations past?

Top Photo: This is a panoramic view of the Sanctuary from main entrance

Photo on Bottom Left: This is a close-up view of the Eucharistic stained glass window

Photo on Right: Note the direct line between the Eucharistic Stained Glass Window, the Crucifix, the Tabernacle, the Altar and the Main Aisle as seen from the Main Entrance! This is the most prominent place to place the tabernacle in the church as the G.I.R.M. directs. It also symbolizes the central place that Our Lord should have in our lives--not in a corner or out of the church all together!

"HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THY DWELLING PLACE!"

The angel appeared to the three children at Fatima (a fully approved apparition)and taught them to say this prayer in front of the tabernacle:

"Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I offer thee the Most Precious Body,BLood. Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the TABERNACLES throughout the world in reparation for the OUTRAGES, SACRILEGES AND INDIFFERENCE with which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners."

BLESSED BE JESUS IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR!