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1 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 1 Bulletin Shorts for the Dedication of a Church and an Altar -- Eliot Kapitan TABLE OF CONTENTS The rite of dedication of a new church is a significant event for any parish. The same is true for a parish that renovates the existing church building and erects in it a new altar. These bulletin shorts were written as one way to help the suitable preparation of all the faithful for the first celebration of Mass within the new or renovated place for worship. They take elements from the dedication rite, highlight their importance, and suggest some action during the week as a way to prepare for the solemn rite. Here is the list of short articles: TOPIC SCHEDULED FOR USE Church and church New Jerusalem Wait for the bishop Gathering and procession Sprinkling and baptism Word of God Mystery of the Church: for liturgy and service Eucharist and service Collection for the poor Oiling of the altar and walls Incense Covering the altar Lighting the altar and the church Eucharistic prayer Procession to the church

2 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 2 1 Church and church First there is the Church. Then there is the church. First there is the People of God. Then there is the building the people use. First there is the temple of God built of living stones. Then there is the temple shaped of brick and stone, wood and glass. The ritual book the bishop will use at the coming rite of dedication states: Through his death and resurrection, Christ became the true and perfect temple of the New Covenant, and gathered together a people to be his own. This holy people, unified through the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is the Church, that is, the temple of God built of living stones, where the Father is worshiped in spirit and truth. Rightly, then, from early times the name church has also been given to the building in which the Christian community gathers to hear the word of God, to pray together, to celebrate the sacraments, and to participate in the eucharist. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 1. by reading this week: John 2:13-22 Jesus clearing of the temple at Passover and speaking of the temple of his body; Vatican Council II: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, nos. 1-8 on the mystery of the Church.

3 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 3 2 New Jerusalem Our new church building is an image of the new Jerusalem, of heaven, of the place where God resides. In it, week by week, we will give thanks and praise to God, eat and drink the body and blood of the Lord, baptize, marry, anoint the sick, and pray for the dead. The ritual book Bishop George Lucas will use at the rite of dedication states: Because the church is a visible building, it stands as a special sign of the pilgrim Church on earth and reflects the Church dwelling in heaven. When a church is erected as a building destined solely and permanently for assembling the People of God and for carrying out sacred functions, it is fitting that it be dedicated to God with a solemn rite, in accordance with the ancient custom of the Church. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 2. by reading this week: Nehemiah 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10 the first reading on dedication day: about understanding what is heard and rejoicing in the Lord; Vatican Council II: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, nos on the People of God.

4 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 4 3 wait for the bishop We wait for the bishop. For most of us, the experience of Church is parochial, based in the streets and neighborhoods of our town. But, for the dedication of our new church, we wait for the bishop. Our waiting reminds us that Church is bigger than our usual weekly experience. Our parish is part of a Local Church the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. This Local Church is made up of 160 parishes that span the south central counties of our state. As we wait for Bishop George Lucas, pray for him. Pray that he continues to be for us a prayerful liturgist, a sound teacher, a good pastor and guide. Then pray for the whole diocese and the 175,000 Catholics. Then pray for the parish, the safety of those who are building our church, and the welfare of the poor and sick and those in need. change town to village or city

5 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 5 4 gathering and procession The Church (People of God) will not use the church (building) until Bishop George Lucas comes to lead us in prayer. In fact this new building will be closed to our use until that day. We will gather in the on dedication day. That morning will be filled with procession and gathering. On that morning we will process from our homes to the parish property. We will gather with our friends and neighbors to await the festive opening of the church building. Bishop Lucas will invite us to process inside to dedicate this church by offering within it the sacrifice of Christ. He will add: May we open our hearts and minds to receive this word with faith; may our fellowship born in the one font of baptism and sustained at the one table of the Lord, become the one temple of his Spirit, as we gather round his altar of love. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 30. by reading this week: Exodus 14:15-15:1 the great procession of Passover read each year during the Easter Vigil. list the gathering place for dedication day

6 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 6 5 sprinkling and baptism It is baptism. Being washed in the saving waters of Christ makes us members of the Church and heirs of Christ. That is why early in the liturgy on dedication day, Bishop George Lucas will bless water and sprinkle the people and the walls and the altar. He will say: As [this water] is sprinkled upon us and throughout this church make it a sign of the saving waters of baptism, by which we became one in Christ, the temple of your Spirit. May all here today, and all those in days to come, who will celebrate your mysteries in this church, be united at last in the holy city of your peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 48. by reading this week: Romans 6:3-11 the mystagogical reflection on baptism read each year during the Easter Vigil.

7 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 7 6 Word of God The Bible is very important to us. When the Word of God is read aloud in the assembly, it is Christ who is present to us. It is Christ who speaks. Within the rite of dedication of the church, Bishop George Lucas will say to us: May the word of God always be heard in this place, as it unfolds the mystery of Christ before you and achieves your salvation within the Church. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 53. That is why the Church is very specific about how catechumens and candidates are pastorally formed and trained in the Christian life. A suitable catechesis is provided by priests or deacons, or by catechists and others of the faithful, planned to be gradual and complete is its coverage, accommodated to the liturgical year, and solidly supported by celebrations of the word. This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, no They are to be formed in the same way that we, the faithful in Christ, are formed. By Sunday after Sunday after Sunday hearing the Word of God proclaimed in the eucharistic assembly, the mystery of Christ is unfolded. And our salvation is achieved within the Church. by reading this week the holy Word of God we will hear that day: Nehemiah 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10 They read from the book of Law and they understood what was read. Psalm 19:8-10,15 Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. list the other two readings chosen by the parish from LM, nos

8 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 8 7 Mystery of the Church: for liturgy and service The very heart of the dedication liturgy speaks of the mystery of the Church. In the central prayer of the dedication rite, Bishop George Lucas will pray: Father in heaven, source of holiness and true purpose, it is right that we praise and glorify your name. For today we come before you, to dedicate to your lasting service this house of prayer, this temple of worship, this home in which we are nourished by your word and your sacraments. Here is reflected the mystery of the Church. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 62. by reading this week from the documents of Vatican Council II: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, nos on the nature of the liturgy and its importance in the life of the Church; Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, no. 93 a Christian s role in the world.

9 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 9 8 eucharist and service collection for the poor At the very heart of the coming liturgy, Bishop George Lucas prays a lengthy prayer of dedication of the church and the altar. Part of that prayer is: Here may your children gathered around your altar, celebrate the memorial of the Paschal Lamb, and be fed at the table of Christ s word and Christ s body. Here may prayer, the Church s banquet, resound through heaven and earth as a plea for the world s salvation. Here may the poor find justice, the victims of oppression, true freedom. From here may the whole world clothed in the dignity of the children of God, enter with gladness your city of peace. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, no. 62. by beginning to set aside some money each week for the poor and needy. Bring it with you on dedication day. The parish may choose to designate one or more recipients of a collection for the poor. Although not called for in the rite, it can take place in the usual way at DCA II, no. 72. list the chosen recipients of this collection or let each household choose its own cause

10 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page 10 9 oiling the altar and the walls On Monday of Holy Week, Bishop George Lucas with the help of the priests of the diocese, consecrated the sacred chrism. Chrism is the sweet smelling oil that takes its name from Christ. We used it during the Easter Vigil to confirm our new Catholics. Our bishop will use this holy chrism to anoint the table of the altar. This altar is another symbol for us of Christ. At this altar, the eucharistic prayer is prayed. On this altar, the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of the dead and risen Lord Jesus Christ. Before all others, he is called The Anointed One. The walls of our new building will also be anointed to signify that it is given over entirely and perpetually to Christian worship. Four places will be marked with a cross and will bear a lighted candle on festive days to be an image of the holy city of Jerusalem. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, nos. 16 and 64. by reading this week two readings that are read during the annual Chrism Mass: Revelation 1:5-8 Jesus Christ is the faithful witness; Luke 4:16-21 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me. you may choose to list the names of the neophytes and newly received OR twelve places

11 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page incense There is more than oil used. Following the special prayer of dedication, the altar and the walls are anointed with holy chrism. But it does not end there. Next, incense is burned on the altar to signify that the sacrifice of Christ ascends to God as an odor of sweetness, and also as a sign the prayers of the people rise up pleasing and acceptable, reaching to the throne of God. The Church does not stop there. The People of God are incensed, too, for they are the living temple in which each faithful member is a spiritual altar. Finally, the church building is incensed showing that this dedication makes it a house of prayer. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, nos. 16 and 67. by reading this week: Psalm 138 the suggested psalm for incensing the altar, the people, and the church building; Psalm 141 a psalm often sung during Evening Prayer.

12 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page covering the altar Chrism and incense are not enough. During the rite of dedication, the newly anointed altar (a central symbol of Christ in our new church building) is covered with festive linen. We do this because the Christian altar is the altar of the eucharistic sacrifice and the table of the Lord; standing around it priests and people, in one and the same action but with a difference of function, celebrate the memorial of the death and resurrection of Christ and partake in the Lord s Supper. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, nos. 16 and 69. by reading this week the Bible texts for the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper: Exodus 12:1-8, The law for the Passover meal; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Until the Lord comes, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim his death; John 13:1-15 Christ showed how perfect was his love by washing feet.

13 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page lighting the altar and the church Following the great prayer of dedication, we anoint and incense and cover the altar, we incense the people, and we anoint and incense the walls. One ritual action remains before we celebrate the meal the altar and the church are illumined. This teaches us that Christ is a light to enlighten the nations, whose brightness shines out in the Church and through it upon the whole human family. The bishop says: Light of Christ, shine forth in the Church and bring all nations to the fullness of truth. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, nos. 16 and 69. by reading this week: Luke 2:25-35 Mary and Joseph meet Simeon in the temple following the presentation of Jesus.

14 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page eucharistic prayer Celebrating the eucharist in the newly dedicated church and on the newly dedicated altar is the principal and the most ancient part of the liturgy of dedication. The bishop will add to the eucharistic prayer on that day the following: Father, accept the prayers of those who dedicate this church to you. May it be a place of salvation and sacrament where your Gospel of peace is proclaimed and your holy mysteries celebrated. Guided by your word and secure in your peace may your chosen people now journeying through life arrive safely at their eternal home. There may all your children now scattered abroad be settled at last in your city of peace. Dedication of a Church and an Altar, II, nos. 17 and 77. by reading this week: Vatican Council II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, nos on the Mass.

15 BULLETIN SHORTS Dedication of a Church and an Altar page procession to the church Before you leave your home to the Rite of Dedication of, gather all the members of the household together and pray the following psalm. Psalm 122 ROYAL CITY, HOLY CITY, CITY OF RULERS AND PROPHETS, JERUSALEM: GOD S CITY, GOD S HOUSE, GOD S JOY A song of ascents. Of David. With joy I heard them say, Let us go to the Lord s house! And now, Jerusalem, we stand inside your gates. Jerusalem, the city so built that city and temple are one. To you the tribes go up, every tribe of the Lord. It is the law of Israel to honor God s name. The seats of law are here, the thrones of David s line. Pray peace for Jerusalem: happiness for your homes, safety inside your wall, peace in your great houses. For love of family and friends I say, Peace be with you! For love of the Lord s own house I pray for your good. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. This may be printed on a separate card or bulletin insert. insert titular of the church in body of text The English translation of the Liturgical Psalter 1994, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

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