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Called
by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ's presence
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The New Sanctuary
The Ambo
The Ambo is the table of the Word (far left of
photo). Environment and Art in Catholic Worship reminds us that
it should be beautifully designed, constructed of fine materials and proportioned
carefully and simply for its function. The ambo represents dignity and
uniqueness of the Word of God and of reflection upon the Word proclaimed.
Those who listen attentively also are called to act intently: to actively
participate in the liturgy.
Ancient synagogues had a raised area with a reading desk where the word
of God was proclaimed. In some of the old synagogues in America it is
still located in the middle of the assembly. As Christian communities
designated specific buildings for liturgy, they usually continued the
custom of using a raised and centered place for the proclamation of scripture.
The arnbo, then, gives the proclamation of the Word a distinct identity.
The ambo is high enough to worthily proclaim the Word, yet of a proportion
that the person proclaiming is easily seen.
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The Baptismal Font
Our temporary font has been modified with the renovation. But, we
can look forward to having a permanent font, hopefully, in the near
future that is in harmony with the other furnishings.
(The photo is the new baptismal font.)
The Ambry
The ambry is an area of reservation for the holy oils: Chrism, Oil
of the Sick and Oil of Catechumens. The baptistry is the most obvious
and popular place for the holy oils to reside. The shelves are translucent
and are located in a public area for the entire assembly to encounter.
(At the top middle of the photo is the ambry.) |
The Presidential Chair
The Presidential Chair is the most ancient liturgical furnishing,
possibly predating even the use of fixed altars. The earliest chairs
were for Bishops and we-re shaped and positioned differently in each
region, but the styles were always meant to express the role of the
occupant as philosopher-teacher or as judge. Its placement was in
concert with the other liturgical furnishings, so that the bishop
would be best able to preside and preach there. Any references to
royal or imperial thrones were avoided.
The
Crucifix
In ancient times, the processional cross was the basic Christian symbol
used at the altar. After leading the community into their gathering
place often with a procession, it was prominently positioned for the
rest of the ritual action.
The processional cross then gave way to a crucifix positioned at the
center of the altar, above the priest's head, with an image of the
corpus of Christ on it. This happened during the Middle Ages when
devotion to Christ's passion portrayed through the crucifix was more
popular than going to Communion.
The Crucifix is not precisely a liturgical symbol. The Cross is. The
difference: one stands for death (Crucifix) and the other for the
paschal mystery which is dying and rising (the Cross!). Since the
assembly and altar, ambo and presidential chair are our main areas
of liturgical focus, we have placed the Crucifix in a prominent, yet
not centralized location.
Our renovation blends the old with the new. The cross is a new design
completing the Southwestern motif The corpus is from the crucifix
that was an original part of the church.
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The Assembly
The assembly is the primary symbol in our liturgy. We hope to have
new chairs available to complete our worship space in the near future.
(New pews are in! Here is a photo.)
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Who are the renovators?
- LITURGICAL DESIGN CONSULTANTS: R. B. Habiger & Associates
- ALTAR, AMBO, PRESIDER CHAIR, CANDLE STAND, CRUCIFIX: Brother Bart
Wolf, OFM, Franciscan
- PAINTING, REBUILDING OF THE BAPTISMAL FONT, DEVOTIONAL SPACE: Leroy
Gill of Imperial Paint
- CERAMIC TILE INSTALLATION, CARPET FOR RAMPS: John Evans, Flooring
Consultants, Inc.
- VINYL FOR FOLDING DOORS, ACOUSTICAL FABRIC FOR TECTUM WALLS: Wallcoverings
International
- INSTALLATION OF WALL COVERINGS. Porsche Wallcovering Specialists
- ALTAR PLATFORM, SANCTUARY REMODEL: Steve Brady Construction
- LIGHTING CONSULTANT: Craig Frankowski
- NEW SOUND SYSTEM: Lukert Productions
- NEW SCONCES: French Electric & Lighting Supply, Inc.
- NEW FOUNTAIN ON BAPTISMAL FONT: Bob Morris
Copyright
©2000 by Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
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