A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE
One of the huge hallmarks of our parish is the quality of music that is provided at our Sunday Masses. Liam Marchant, our Music Director, and our talented cantors and musicians bring great care and attention to our liturgies, and it certainly shows.
Last Sunday, as we prayerfully listened to the Communion meditation song, (entitled, More Like Jesus) I looked out over the congregation and saw a few people wiping away tears from their eyes. They were moved by the powerful lyrics of the song that seemed to be tugging at their hearts. This was a graced moment for them. This often happens at our Masses.
Many visitors, who pray with us for the first time, are impressed by our music program. They will tell me after Mass, “Father, that was great! Our parish back home has nothing like this.” We are blessed.
The truth is that good music makes all the difference for a good Sunday Mass experience. It can be the deciding factor of whether a person will return the next Sunday or make a parish their spiritual home. If not, they will quickly look for another church.
Our music program continues to grow which is a great sign of the vitality of our parish. Liam, a few months ago, made an appeal for new members to join the choir at our 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph’s Church. The response was well received.
The problem now is that we have run out of space for our choir that is currently stationed by our St. Benedict shrine, that is to the left of our altar. With new members, they have run out of room.
After much research, and a lot of measurements, it is much more feasible for our choir to move over to the Hill Street side of the church. There is more space on this side because folks do not have to contend with the handicap ramp that takes up a lot of space where they are singing now. The Hill Street side of church will provide a lot more elbowroom for everyone, especially when our children join us to sing at our large Family Masses.
Because of this transition, we need to switch the two side altars that are dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (on the left) and the Blessed Virgin Mary (on the right.) With all the weddings we perform, it would be very difficult for a bride to place flowers at Mary’s altar if the choir section was set-up in this space. Therefore, switching the two side altars will provide an open space, and a handicap ramp for people visit to Mary’s altar.
Above the two side altars are decals dedicated to our Blessed Mother and Jesus. These, too, will need to be flipped as part of the transition so that the artistic integrity of our church is accurate.
Next week, Daprato Rigali Studios, a well-known church restoration company that is based in the Chicagoland area, will be making sketches of the two decals and will eventually transfer them in the coming months.
You may see some scaffolding in church by our side altars. Their work will not interrupt our celebration of Mass. We hope to have the entire project completed before Christmas.
In the end, I am confident that we will be glad that we made the move, and that it will only enhance the good music that we enjoy each weekend.
