It should surprise no one that within our parish there are a variety of opinions on a number of topics. Some are happy with the color of the new carpet, while others are disappointed that we didn't replace the red carpet with red carpet. Some like the fact that we change the time of the Saturday evening Mass to 4:00 p.m. during the winter months while some would like us to keep the Mass at the same time all year long. Some have expressed the opinion that the sanctuary area of our adoration chapel is "too cluttered" while others feel that the sacramentals that are on the wall and on the floor are a blessing and a complement to the main focus in the sanctuary which of course is Jesus Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity in the monstrance.
Recently I received feedback from a number of people who share that last opinion and describe the blessings that come to them during their prayer and reflection time in the chapel. One person (Al) said the images (of Mary, Joseph) are a reminder of all that we can aspire to be as human beings as we adore and pray to Jesus. The image of St. Joseph reminds him of what he needs to be as a husband and father. Another person (Gerald) said the statues remind him of the nearness the saints are to Jesus. I would add that the saints (especially Mary & Joseph), call us through their example to strive to be near Jesus in our daily lives. A third person (Rick), who chooses to sit toward the back of the chapel, said looking up there at Mary and Joseph behind and above Jesus speaks to him of the Holy Family and the days and years in which Mary and Joseph watched over Jesus and cared for him as loving parents are called to do for their children. Some expressed disappointment when going into more "modern" Catholic Churches and either not seeing images or statues of Mary and Joseph at all or seeing them in remote areas of the church. I am happy to receive such thoughtful reflections and agree that such images which adorned those walls long before many of us moved into this parish need to stay where they are. The Church does tell us, however, that we should not have duplicate sacramentals in the same holy space, even the crucifix itself. That is the reason the altar servers place the processional crucifix off to the side (outside of the sanctuary) during Mass, I have therefore decided to remove the statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the sanctuary area of our chapel and replace it with the small statue we have (which was donated by the family of deceased parishioner JoAnn DeJanovich) of St. Michael the Archangel and hope those who spend time in the chapel will take time to ask for his intercession against the "the wickedness and snares of the devil" which are many and which lead us away from the Lord and His love and peace.
Recently I received feedback from a number of people who share that last opinion and describe the blessings that come to them during their prayer and reflection time in the chapel. One person (Al) said the images (of Mary, Joseph) are a reminder of all that we can aspire to be as human beings as we adore and pray to Jesus. The image of St. Joseph reminds him of what he needs to be as a husband and father. Another person (Gerald) said the statues remind him of the nearness the saints are to Jesus. I would add that the saints (especially Mary & Joseph), call us through their example to strive to be near Jesus in our daily lives. A third person (Rick), who chooses to sit toward the back of the chapel, said looking up there at Mary and Joseph behind and above Jesus speaks to him of the Holy Family and the days and years in which Mary and Joseph watched over Jesus and cared for him as loving parents are called to do for their children. Some expressed disappointment when going into more "modern" Catholic Churches and either not seeing images or statues of Mary and Joseph at all or seeing them in remote areas of the church. I am happy to receive such thoughtful reflections and agree that such images which adorned those walls long before many of us moved into this parish need to stay where they are. The Church does tell us, however, that we should not have duplicate sacramentals in the same holy space, even the crucifix itself. That is the reason the altar servers place the processional crucifix off to the side (outside of the sanctuary) during Mass, I have therefore decided to remove the statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the sanctuary area of our chapel and replace it with the small statue we have (which was donated by the family of deceased parishioner JoAnn DeJanovich) of St. Michael the Archangel and hope those who spend time in the chapel will take time to ask for his intercession against the "the wickedness and snares of the devil" which are many and which lead us away from the Lord and His love and peace.