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The transition to the new Our Lady of Walsingham Church
Blessing of the corner stone of the new Our Lady of Walsingham Church.
Bishop Vasquez graced the faithful at Our Lady of Walsingham by blessing the corner stone of the new parish church.
The top of the corner stone reads: "Awesome is this place. It is the house of God and the gate of heaven." (Gen 28:17) This Scripture quotation has been a common feature on or in hundreds of Catholic churches.
In a tradition minded parish like this one, special events often mean processions and special blessings. One of the many events that were part of the transition to prepare the new church was the 'blessing of the bells.' This is commemorated in the photos that follow.
Processions themselves have centuries of tradition. They serve to remind Christians of pilgrimages to ancient shrines and holy places.
Processions remind us too that our own life is a pilgramage - from this moment in time to the end of our life, when we will discover our eternal destiny. How we live this life has immense importance! Jesus Himself said that it is not those who say "Lord, Lord" but those "who do the will of the heavenly father" who will inherit the kingdom of Heaven. (Mt. 7:21)
Moving from the original church towards the new one...
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem in a procession that must have been 'quite a spectacular event.' With His Apostles and disciples, and crowds of onlookers watched or took part in all of the pomp and circumstance of royalty. Palm branches were cut by the people and laid on the road Jesus traveled - shouts of joy were heard from the Apostles and others.
Scripture tells us that there were some who protested that procession - the Pharisees! "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He replied "If they were to keep silence, I tell you the very stones would cry out!" (Lk.19:39, and see Lk. 19:28-40) Think of processions in Biblical history dating back to the time of the Exodus. Abraham's and other Old Testament journeys had a processional quality.
Once inside the new church, the assent to the bell tower was made.
The blessing rite began with blessing a candle used in the ceremony.
Fr. Moore addressed the people who where waiting and listening below, at various moments during the blessings rite.
Dozens of parishoners and guests waited, participated and prayed.
The 3 bells themselves are all named in honor of a saint, and have the donor's name inscribed on them as well. The bells named for Sts. Jude and Margaret are shown above.
The use of bells and elaborate vestments have been used by the People of God at least since the time of the Exodus (see Ex. 28:31-35 - noting that their bells were made of 'pure gold!')
This page will be updated soon with more photos of the new church while the parish was in its transition.
Please continue your cyber-tour of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church here, and visit the new parish Church - "Awesome is this place!".
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The entire ABC's of Faith web site and its contents, as well as all original graphics, are copyrighted by L.A.K., FSC & BTNA Consulting. © 1998 by BTNA Consulting, FSC & L.A.K. All Rights Reserved. Contact us for any requests! This page built on 11/01/05 A.D. Last updated on 03/28/06 A.D.
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