tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post2483215574223261422..comments2023-12-16T16:17:43.886+00:00Comments on Fr Ray Blake's Blog: Renovations at St Mary MagdalenFr Ray Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-80329371682380283202012-01-07T18:08:21.983+00:002012-01-07T18:08:21.983+00:00Is it charitable to say that I hope those responsi...Is it charitable to say that I hope those responsible for these church rapes (and yours is not one of the worst examples, alas!) are pounding sand in Purgatory to pay for the expensive partial restoration of the destruction they wrought?Geraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02204199533749851084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-67255386111666795442012-01-03T15:25:40.395+00:002012-01-03T15:25:40.395+00:00Congratulations on all you have already achieved w...Congratulations on all you have already achieved with this restoration, which I hope continues to receive funding. It has been a genuine pleasure to see progress as it has been made on my visits to St Mary Magdalen.Once I Was A Clever Boyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01367322665145704342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-22250252855939638872011-12-29T02:49:01.898+00:002011-12-29T02:49:01.898+00:00Father, it looks great! My congratulations to you,...Father, it looks great! My congratulations to you, your congregation and your architect.<br /><br />I find it much easier to pray in a church that looks like this than to pray in a cinderblock barn with felt banners on the walls.<br /><br />If other Catholics are like that, I think you've done a lot to help people in your flock to pray more and better. Perhaps Fr. Z's "fix the liturgy, fix the church" idea starts with fixing church buildings this way.<br /><br />Again, my congratulations. Kansas is a long way from London, but perhaps I can see your good work with my own eyes someday.<br /><br />Mr. John Heuertz, OP<br />Kansas CityJohn Heuertznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-59469072562044548662011-12-27T18:49:08.140+00:002011-12-27T18:49:08.140+00:00It really looks wonderful and the sanded floors gi...It really looks wonderful and the sanded floors give such an impression of lightness....congratulations to everyone, especially the architect.Peter James-Smithhttp://quodsemper.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-33178419369757658812011-12-27T01:45:44.410+00:002011-12-27T01:45:44.410+00:00Dear Fr Blake
Well done!
Keep on restoring all thi...Dear Fr Blake<br />Well done!<br />Keep on restoring all things in Christ our new born King.<br />As you are aware: He is pleased and will not forget what you do for Him.<br />Saviosavionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-51421092338249262142011-12-26T22:13:41.847+00:002011-12-26T22:13:41.847+00:00It really is looking so much better now than it di...It really is looking so much better now than it did a few years ago.<br /><br />Well done!<br /><br />It would be even better if those old altar rails were still in place.Pétrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17539025631125425710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-45662871923765122642011-12-26T21:28:56.818+00:002011-12-26T21:28:56.818+00:00Yes, there is a Lady Altar, the should be pictures...Yes, there is a Lady Altar, the should be pictures somewhere on the blog.Fr Ray Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-17495399831781708742011-12-26T21:03:00.618+00:002011-12-26T21:03:00.618+00:00The church looks beautiful. Is there a Lady altar ...The church looks beautiful. Is there a Lady altar , Fr. Ray ?<br /><br /> Lindi.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-35242124076009328532011-12-26T20:35:52.148+00:002011-12-26T20:35:52.148+00:00Michael1
I think the GIRM was written, like the ru...Michael1<br />I think the GIRM was written, like the rubrics, with the understanding Mass was said ad orientem in which case all the clutter, including candlesticks and crucifix are before the priest and congregation but on the gradine not the mensa.<br /><br />I like the idea of nothing but the missal vessels and necessary linens on an altar but once the candles & crucifix are there all the rest might as well follow.<br /><br />Without the proximate presence, a few inches away, altars look bare and irreverent, or at least penitential. We are conditioned by our heritage and artistic cultural sensitivities, they are important.Fr Ray Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-76481876465036111172011-12-26T20:09:33.386+00:002011-12-26T20:09:33.386+00:00Just a note - the GIRM does not encourage flowers ...Just a note - the GIRM does not encourage flowers on the altar: it says they should be nearby rather than on the altar. The GIRM seems opposed to clutter of any sort, presumably including some of the things you mention, while nevertheless not making too much fuss about what is already part of the fixtures and fittings. Portable reliquaries are different from those cemented (or whatever was used)into the fabric. I confess to a personal preference for simplicity on the altar itself, to keep focus on the central elements of the Mass - but it's an interesting debate.Michael1https://www.blogger.com/profile/07151796462917567945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-11008057281079312212011-12-26T18:59:07.011+00:002011-12-26T18:59:07.011+00:00Maybe the answer is in the old pics. An altar rail...Maybe the answer is in the old pics. An altar rail with a central gate could be constructed along the edge of the sanctuary and hassocks placed on the nave side.<br />An EM of Hassocks (not the town) could be appointed, responsible for placing and removing the central hassocks for access and egress of the celebrant (lol).<br />Seriously, I reckon it could be done if the celebrant's chair were to be moved slightly towards the altar. The central gate section could be left without kneelers for those who wish to receive standing.georgemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-63007277007608556922011-12-26T17:08:12.108+00:002011-12-26T17:08:12.108+00:00I saw this work in progress a month ago, and it is...I saw this work in progress a month ago, and it is simply magnificent. The light fixtures (always difficult) are highly successful.<br /><br />That all this tremendous work and expense is mostly 'merely' a restoration shows the extent to which taste and good sense imploded 40 years ago.<br /><br />Now almost every other church in Christendom awaits your guidance and inspiration, Father!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-64131125457599917322011-12-26T16:19:09.860+00:002011-12-26T16:19:09.860+00:00If they are kneeling on the kneelers provided for ...If they are kneeling on the kneelers provided for HC - then I would take it as a sure sign from above,for the replacement of the Altar Rail.<br /><br />You have done a wonderful job there Father Ray.<br /><br />Fr Ian<br />TTACAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-64731980467065122502011-12-26T15:43:02.003+00:002011-12-26T15:43:02.003+00:00Michael1,
Interesting observation, from time immem...Michael1,<br />Interesting observation, from time immemorial relics have been placed under, over or on the altar. On great feasts we do put relics on the altar, in a sense to "increase" the signs of holiness.<br /><br />Are they necessary for the sake of Mass? Probably not, though they are necessary for the consecration of an altar, a consecrated should be used.<br /><br />Are they a direct contradiction of the GIRM? Presumably not as they are placed on the altars of St Peter's from time to time, similarly the altar of Westminster Cathedral. The reliquary heads have never been displaced from the altar of the Lateran. Presumably relics are seen as an "extension" of the relics within the altar.<br /><br />Interestingly those who complain about relics on altars don't seem to mind about flowers or an other old rubbish such as spectacles, pieces of paper, booklets, "art works".<br /><br />The EF? Look at the tradition and the way in which altars were/are used. Although really relics, candles, statues, flowers, even the crucifix are placed on the gradine leaving the mensa itself free of clutter. However when there is no gradine these things end up on the altar.<br />The rubrics include instructions on incensing relics along with the crucifix.Fr Ray Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-75371826006983929322011-12-26T15:03:39.131+00:002011-12-26T15:03:39.131+00:00A gentle enquiry. The updated photographs seem to ...A gentle enquiry. The updated photographs seem to show reliquaries on the altar - apparent also in the photograph of the candles being lit. Am I correct in thinking that this is directly contrary to the norms of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which I believe still state that only those things necessary to the celebration of Mass should be on the altar. Does this apply to the Extraordinary Form as well?Michael1https://www.blogger.com/profile/07151796462917567945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-23434836542137755152011-12-26T12:57:54.052+00:002011-12-26T12:57:54.052+00:00Well done, Fr Ray.
Excellent work!
I look forwar...Well done, Fr Ray.<br /><br />Excellent work!<br /><br />I look forward to visiting for Mass one day.<br /><br />Happy Christmas,<br /><br />DylanA Reluctant Sinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00133283710220978097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-8441253840552348702011-12-26T10:55:29.984+00:002011-12-26T10:55:29.984+00:00Oh please, Father! Do put Altar rails in! I'm ...Oh please, Father! Do put Altar rails in! I'm quite sure there is room for them! Make the Sactuary 'sanctus' again please!Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03856192804354003716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-83632772502946556482011-12-26T09:17:10.919+00:002011-12-26T09:17:10.919+00:00Fr wish you were our PP he is in the proess of van...Fr wish you were our PP he is in the proess of vandalising an old intact church, out with the old and in with the newAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-681216236801009782011-12-26T08:51:56.832+00:002011-12-26T08:51:56.832+00:00Altar rails:
I am not sure there is room for them ...Altar rails:<br />I am not sure there is room for them on the sanctuary.<br />However people are free to kneel, or not, on the front kneelers which have been brought slightly forward of the benches.<br />I am surprised how many people take up this option.Fr Ray Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-30854262905418247162011-12-26T07:13:12.494+00:002011-12-26T07:13:12.494+00:00What a wonderful improvement Father , and such a l...What a wonderful improvement Father , and such a lot of hard work has been put in .Christynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-63951398138465605202011-12-26T06:09:07.786+00:002011-12-26T06:09:07.786+00:00Well, it does appear to be somewhat of an improvem...Well, it does appear to be somewhat of an improvement, however...............<br /> STILL NO ALTAR RAILS TO KNEEL AT!<br /><br />Incomplete. What are the Brit Bish's thinking?<br /> Does Papa Benedict have to come down with direct divine orders to get things straightened out? Is so, I wish he would do it.<br /><br />Oh, and have a Merry & a Happy......Matthew Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564546155986482730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-20930906407057963512011-12-26T02:25:30.862+00:002011-12-26T02:25:30.862+00:00So when will the communion railing be replaced? :)...So when will the communion railing be replaced? :)ServusMariaeNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13963287463957393931noreply@blogger.com