Posted on 03/29/2006 7:49:21 AM PST by Cheverus
From March 17, 2006 Edition of The Pilot New life for treasures of closed churches By Mary Catherine Brouder
Pilot Correspondent
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — It seems that some people can find the silver lining of any dark cloud. Father Joseph Santos, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Providence, R.I., is one of those people. He has been working to collect artifacts and remnants of closed churches from the Archdiocese of Boston for the restoration of the church he oversees.
“Instead of being given away to antique dealers, they are being used as they were meant to be used,” said Father Santos of the items he has received to improve the aesthetic quality of his parish.
The pulpit of the former Nuestra Senora del Carmen Parish in Lowell, as well as several other items from closed churches in the archdiocese, has found a new home in Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Providence, R.I. Photo courtesy Holy Name of Jesus Parish Holy Name of Jesus, one of the few churches in New England with special permission to celebrate the traditional Latin Mass every Sunday, lost its pulpit, Communion rail and many other treasured objects to a fire in the church a few years ago.
Rather than being discouraged by the misfortunate occurrence, Father Santos found out where the remains of churches that were closing would be going and asked the archdiocese to help him to give the unwanted sacred remnants a new home in his parish. Father Santos was able to acquire a new pulpit, Communion rail, six bronze candlesticks and two angel candelabras and other small pieces for his beloved parish. The pulpit and Communion rail, which came from Nuestra Senora del Carmen Parish in Lowell, are both valuable antiques at over 100 years old.
“I have been working on [obtaining] them since over a year ago,” said Father Santos, adding that he will now only “have to worry about putting them in place.”
While the church finalizes its plans for renovation, the pulpit and Communion rail will be stored safely in the rectory until their expected installation in 2008. Each of the pieces received by Holy Name of Jesus “fits in stylistically with the church,” said Father Santos, who said the project is a success “because it is for the bettering of the church but also is in keeping with the style of the church.”
Some of the smaller articles have been put on display after they were received, and many have garnered support as positive additions to the church.
Father Santos said, “people were thrilled,” about seeing two angel candelabras in church during the Christmas season. In addition, six bronze candlesticks that were retrieved from St. Mary Church in Marlborough provided majestic lighting to the pontifical “Missa Cantata” celebrated by Bishop Bishop Fernando Areas Rifan, who came from Brazil in September for the event.
“Many things are starting to be reused, it is wonderful,” said Father Santos, later adding, “The more attractive the church is, the more active people will be in their faith and will find God.”
“Doing some real restoration will increase the atmosphere of the liturgy and worship,” said Father Santos. “Keep us in your prayers so that we can accomplish everything we need to do.”
Copyright © 2004-2006 Archdiocese of Boston; all rights reserved
There's a quaint sculpted pulpit in St. Stefan in Vienna, with gargoyle-like figures on all sides. Maybe he should have one carved, too.
There are many places that buy and sell used church items. See: http://www.usedchurchitems.com/
But it is good to see someone eliminating the middle man.
I've been to Holy Name in Providence a handful of times now, and have gotten to know Fr. Santos fairly well through associating with him and a mutual friend. You should see the stuff he has! Vestments, statuary, even an entire pulpit!
He's done the Advent and Lenten evenings of recollection at my indult Latin Mass parish in Boston, Holy Trinity, for a couple of years now. When he knew that our beautiful church was on the chopping block, I kiddingly chided him for his "absorbed" interest in various furnishings there, and he responded that he'd be delighted to have first dibs to pick through all of the stuff "not nailed down"!
Anyway, it's spiritually criminal what is likely to happen at Holy Trinity (we're still barely hanging on, with a now indeterminate date for closure), but, if Holy Trinity is closed, it's off to Providence for me and my family. At least, to some extent, I might be surrounded by enough stuff there from HT that I'll still feel at home...
Yes, but unfortunately it would probably be too much work to take the Statues of the Jesuit Saints from above the Stations.
Who knows if the regularize the SSPX maybe you'll only have to go to Norwood.
A good article on the subject:
Moved by faith
As churches close, artifacts from buildings pop up all over
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/14188949.htm
Norwood, under the circumstances you describe, might be an option. Coming from south Plymouth, though, th distance would work out to the same difference as Providence. We'll see. In the meantime, we're still trying to hang in there at HT. For anyone interested, we have a novena to St. Philomena for her intercession in the matter. We're asking for three things: that God should allow HT to remain open, the Latin Mass to continue there, and a good, permanent pastor be assigned there, either from the FSSP, ICKSP or one or two candidates from the archdiocese. The text of the novena is here: http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/pray0570.htm
In return, should our request be granted, we will work to promote her return to the liturgical calendar, from which she was unjustly removed in 1961.
Thanks!
Ok, question that has nothing to do with FR.
Who's doing the Eastern Sunday High Mass?
Fr. Rizzo was really good...excepting the bad joke from "Going my Way"...will he be back again this year?
I am 99% certain that it will be Fr. Higgins. I will find out for sure this Sunday, remind me on Monday and I'll let you know.
I'm calling a meeting downstairs this Sunday after Mass about the closure situation if you're interested. We also pray the Rosary and the St. Philomena novena at the Cardinal's residence behind the cathedral. Usually, it is done at 1:30, but this Sunday, we will do it after the meeting.
Fr. Higgins? He's a good egg, I'd be happy to see him do it, most of the guys don't project well enough so I can't hear them, I'd probably go to the Latin Mass more often if I could hear.
I know Fr. Armano asked O'Malley for permission to say the old Rite and was shot down.
"I know Fr. Armano asked O'Malley for permission to say the old Rite and was shot down."
That is correct, and at least one other priest. We've also asked - more than once - that Fr. Higgins be assigned to our parish permanently, with an identical result.
Anyway, next time you're there (assuming we're there for any length of time!), look me up at the coffee and... held downstairs. Ask for Leo. Most people who go downstairs after Mass know me well enough, so it shouldn't be hard.
Pax Domini
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