Father Chris Axline Video Chat - July 8, 2022

St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (Gilbert, AZ) Podcasts

July Sanctuary Update

Hello St. Mary Magdalene,

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s video. Today is my last sneak peek preview video because we’re going to be able to move back into the full space and celebrate Mass in this sanctuary the last weekend of July. Beginning with the Saturday vigil Mass on July 30th, and Sunday Masses on the 31st we’ll be back in our full worship space for all weekend and weekday liturgies. When we move back in you’ll see the architectural renovations and the walls primed for our mural work. Our murals are currently being made, they are custom painted and should be installed before Christmas 2022. We’re going to continue to use our current altar furnishings in this space for the next several months until our custom altar and furnishings are ready. Looking around now you can see that they’re installing marble in our sanctuary, so enjoy this glimpse of the marble tile. What happens between now and re-opening is the finishing of the marble, installation of carpet and the top of our altar rail. Then, cleaning up the space and resetting chairs and the overall space for Mass. We’re also going to be training ushers and clergy on the new procedures for the distribution of Communion, which will take place from the rail. At the rail you’ll be able to receive kneeling or standing and, as the Church permits, either on the tongue or on the hand. I’ll give more detailed guidance and instructions in the coming weeks. Looking at the sanctuary now, you may notice some differences compared to the concept design posted in the narthex and on our website. These differences are due to some architectural discrepancies which were not discovered until after demolition. Hence, my team and I have had to make some adjustments along the way, but, they’ve actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we now have actually more room for artwork in these frieze areas below the arches. I am excited about us moving back in and the great gift this renovation will be to our parish community. This is a beautiful first step in converting our building into a permanent worship space for the glory of the Risen Lord. I want to again thank all of you for your continued prayers and support for this project and for your patience as we’ve navigated through these difficulties together, trusting in God's Providence and that He is, as we pray every week, leading our project “day by day to its successful completion.

God bless, Fr. Chris

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