Nativity of Mary Sanctuary Remodeling Project
Want to join me in making a difference? The parish is raising money to benefit Nativity of Mary Catholic Church & School, and any donation will help make an impact. This is a wonderful opportunity to add even more beauty to our space and to elevate the hearts and minds of the faithful in worship. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us. For as the famous author Dostoevsky has been quoted by St. John Paul II as saying, "Beauty will save the world."
Nativity of Mary Catholic Church is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and serves 1300 families in the area.
This is a view of our current sanctuary.
And here is the vision we have for this space.
If you would like to help us with this project, any amount is most appreciated. We also have options for those who would like to fund a particular part of the project.
Flooring - $25,000
Stained Glass - $80,000
Pendant Lights (4) - $ 3000 each
Murals (2) - $8000 each
Reredos - $55,000
Altar - $10,000
Ambo - $5500
Side Statue Frames (2) - $6000 each
Shelves (2) - $750 each
Presider Chair - $3750
Deacon Chair - $3000
Lettering/Panels - $4750
Decorating (gold leaf, lines, misc) - $5000
Stand for Statue of Mary - $1500
Through a beautiful process the Parish Council has gone to work and created a stunning sanctuary remodel for the parish as a whole. Incorporating pro-found elements of theology, since many of these insights are not instantly intuitive, I would like to walk us through a reflection on the theological elements of the remodel.
First, the entire design was aimed at creating the look of a Nativity stable (like the ones used during the Advent season). This is why we wanted to have a sort of house look to the sanctuary, to remind us of the Nativity of Mary, as well as the Nativity of Jesus (Flooring:$25k).
We are also adding new lighting ($12k) to illuminate the area and set it apart from the rest of the Church. The stained-glass window above the crucifix shows the Holy Spirit ($80k). This is to remind us of several things. First, that we are directly tied to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, whose central image is the Holy Spirit Window. Secondly, it is to remind us of the event of the Annunciation, where the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the world was given the gift of Jesus.
Third, the rays that are coming forth from the Holy Spirit are accentuated by the gold paneling ($5k), to show that the Holy Spirit is breathing upon our parish and it is coming forth from him and flowing down into our parish. If you follow the gold lines it looks as if the Spirits breath is coming down and into the sanctuary($55k). Which is exactly what is occurring at every single Mass.
The two large images in the sanctuary trace the beginning and the end of Mary’s life ($8k apiece). The image to the left of the sanctuary is the Nativity of Mary, and the image to the right is the coronation of Mary (Mary crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth).
The texts that are next to the images also have important significance. The Text ($4.75k) next to the Nativity image is from the apparition of the Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Labore typically called, “the Miraculous Medal”. It is a declaration that Mary has been conceived without original sin. The text that is next to the Coronation is from the book of Revelation 12:1, which has been interpreted as Mary appearing to John the Evangelist. The symbol at the bottom of the St. Joseph Statue is the SJ (representing St. Joseph) and the symbol at the bottom of Mary is an ancient emblem depicting Mary’s name and crown ($6k apiece).
The image that is on the front of the Altar ($10k) is the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is a reference to the apparition at Fatima where our Lady said that the Immaculate Heart will triumph in this world. Within the altar will be placed a first-class relic of St. Anne (the Virgin Mary’s mother) which was gifted to the parish. On the front of the ambo ($5.5k) is the symbol of the Lily, which represents both Joseph and Mary’s purity. It has been placed on the Ambo to show that the word of God should be pro-claimed with purity of heart and intention.
There are then twelve crests on either side of the tabernacle representing the twelve apostles. Each crest has the ancient symbol that represents each of the apostles. The symbols have been strategically placed on either side of the tabernacle to be a reminder of the last supper meal where the apostles surrounded Jesus at the table and Jesus presided at the meal. The presiders chair and deacons chair ($6.75k) will be facing the altar, the ambo and tabernacle to show that the priest, as well as the community, is receiving the word of God and the graces that await at the altar.
The project is scheduled to be completed and blessed by October 2020.
Nativity of Mary Catholic Church is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and serves 1300 families in the area.
This is a view of our current sanctuary.
And here is the vision we have for this space.If you would like to help us with this project, any amount is most appreciated. We also have options for those who would like to fund a particular part of the project.
Flooring - $25,000
Stained Glass - $80,000
Pendant Lights (4) - $ 3000 each
Murals (2) - $8000 each
Reredos - $55,000
Altar - $10,000
Ambo - $5500
Side Statue Frames (2) - $6000 each
Shelves (2) - $750 each
Presider Chair - $3750
Deacon Chair - $3000
Lettering/Panels - $4750
Decorating (gold leaf, lines, misc) - $5000
Stand for Statue of Mary - $1500
Through a beautiful process the Parish Council has gone to work and created a stunning sanctuary remodel for the parish as a whole. Incorporating pro-found elements of theology, since many of these insights are not instantly intuitive, I would like to walk us through a reflection on the theological elements of the remodel.
First, the entire design was aimed at creating the look of a Nativity stable (like the ones used during the Advent season). This is why we wanted to have a sort of house look to the sanctuary, to remind us of the Nativity of Mary, as well as the Nativity of Jesus (Flooring:$25k).
We are also adding new lighting ($12k) to illuminate the area and set it apart from the rest of the Church. The stained-glass window above the crucifix shows the Holy Spirit ($80k). This is to remind us of several things. First, that we are directly tied to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, whose central image is the Holy Spirit Window. Secondly, it is to remind us of the event of the Annunciation, where the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the world was given the gift of Jesus.
Third, the rays that are coming forth from the Holy Spirit are accentuated by the gold paneling ($5k), to show that the Holy Spirit is breathing upon our parish and it is coming forth from him and flowing down into our parish. If you follow the gold lines it looks as if the Spirits breath is coming down and into the sanctuary($55k). Which is exactly what is occurring at every single Mass.
The two large images in the sanctuary trace the beginning and the end of Mary’s life ($8k apiece). The image to the left of the sanctuary is the Nativity of Mary, and the image to the right is the coronation of Mary (Mary crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth).
The texts that are next to the images also have important significance. The Text ($4.75k) next to the Nativity image is from the apparition of the Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Labore typically called, “the Miraculous Medal”. It is a declaration that Mary has been conceived without original sin. The text that is next to the Coronation is from the book of Revelation 12:1, which has been interpreted as Mary appearing to John the Evangelist. The symbol at the bottom of the St. Joseph Statue is the SJ (representing St. Joseph) and the symbol at the bottom of Mary is an ancient emblem depicting Mary’s name and crown ($6k apiece).
The image that is on the front of the Altar ($10k) is the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is a reference to the apparition at Fatima where our Lady said that the Immaculate Heart will triumph in this world. Within the altar will be placed a first-class relic of St. Anne (the Virgin Mary’s mother) which was gifted to the parish. On the front of the ambo ($5.5k) is the symbol of the Lily, which represents both Joseph and Mary’s purity. It has been placed on the Ambo to show that the word of God should be pro-claimed with purity of heart and intention.
There are then twelve crests on either side of the tabernacle representing the twelve apostles. Each crest has the ancient symbol that represents each of the apostles. The symbols have been strategically placed on either side of the tabernacle to be a reminder of the last supper meal where the apostles surrounded Jesus at the table and Jesus presided at the meal. The presiders chair and deacons chair ($6.75k) will be facing the altar, the ambo and tabernacle to show that the priest, as well as the community, is receiving the word of God and the graces that await at the altar.
The project is scheduled to be completed and blessed by October 2020.
Organizer
Nathan LaLiberte
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Anonymous
Beneficiary