Just in time for Holy Week and the Easter season, St. Brendan Parish in North Olmsted returned to its worship space that features a new altar. The renovation project also included replacing flooring around the altar, adding a new ambo and painting.
“It was a quite a Lent for us,” said Father Tom Woost, pastor. “We fasted and abstained from this building during Lent.” He said worship moved from the church on Jan. 1, the solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, and returned on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, a coincidence he called fitting.
“We came back with Mother Mary and as a parish we say ‘yes’ to God with all the twists and turns of life,” Father Woost said.
(See photo gallery above.)
The new altar was dedicated during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Woost, Father Woost’s older brother.
“I invited Bishop (Edward) Malesic to do the dedication, but he said, ‘I think you know a guy,’” he quipped. Bishop Woost agreed to preside at the liturgy, which included his first altar dedication.
He explained the process of dedicating the altar, comparing it to a baptism. At the beginning of the liturgy, there is a sprinkling rite that is a reminder of baptism. “Then the altar is baptized,” he said. It also is “chrismated,” or covered in the sacred chrism. The bishop noted that we were anointed during baptism to become what he called other Christs.
“Then, during the sacrifice of the Mass, the celebration takes place on the altar completing its dedication. What happens to us happens to the altar. Not only is the altar Christ, we become a living altar. It’s not just about this sacred altar tonight -- it’s about us. We, too, are to be altars,” the bishop said.
As the altar dedication proceeded, Father Mark Hollis presented the bishop with three saints’ relics to be inserted in the altar. Father Hollis began his priestly ministry 51 years ago at St. Brendan. Relics of Saints Thomas Beckett, Bernadette of Soubirous and John Vianney were inserted in the altar by Bishop Woost. Other relics were placed in the altar previously. The bishop explained that Father Hollis wore red vestments because he was carrying the relics of a martyr. The bishop, concelebrants and deacons were vested in the traditional Lenten purple.
A small whale also was inserted in the altar and the bishop shared the story of its relevance to the parish. St. Brendan was sailing across the ocean during Lent and on Easter, the ship pulled up to what the crew thought was an island so Brendan could celebrate Mass. “The island actually was a whale, so St. Brendan celebrated Easter Mass on the back of a whale,” the bishop explained.
The altar has prime importance in the church, the bishop said, not the saints’ relics. However, the altar provides what he called “and honorable place for their relics to rest.”
He said what Christ does in the church, at the altar, “is meant to heal, forgive, strengthen and nourish us with God’s love so we can live differently and bring the spirit of Christ to the world.”
We gather and bring our strengths, weaknesses and other burdens to the altar where Jesus awaits, the bishop said. “When you approach the altar after dedication, you will hear Christ calling you.”
During the dedication, the bishop was joined at the altar by representatives of parish ministries who also helped spread the chrism. The bishop ensured the entire top of the altar was covered with the chrism before two people came to wipe it off. Then the altar was covered with a cloth and it was prepared for the liturgy. A small fire with incense also was lit on the altar during the dedication.
After the dedication, the liturgy proceeded.
Father Woost offered thanks to Henninger’s for their assistance with the project as well as parish staff and parishioners.
He noted that the Lamb of God image on the front of the new altar also would be on the altar of repose at the seminary when the renovation of Resurrection Chapel is completed. “It’s a nice connection between our parish and the seminary,” he added.
“It’s not just about a piece of furniture. It’s an altar, a special place to offer our hopes, dreams and sacrifices with open arms,” Father Woost said.
All were invited to the parish hall for a reception after Mass.