St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

At 7:00 p.m. on June 24th, Bishop Luis Zarama will enter the plaza and begin the liturgy of the dedication and consecration of our new church.  The doors of the church and lower level meeting rooms will be locked and all will congregate on the plaza and the one-way drive that circles the new worship space (this road will be closed to traffic for the evening).  After an opening greeting and welcome by Bishop Zarama, all will enter the church and be seated. Bishop Zarama and the deacons will then walk throughout the new church, offering a blessing of holy water… as the beginning consecration of the new worship space and as a continuing blessing of those disciples in attendance!

In planning for a joyous first entry into our new church as the SJN family, we will offer parishioners who have mobility challenges the option of entering in advance through the lower-level “porch” door. They and their families will be allowed to enter the Nave beginning at 6:30 p.m. so they may find seats before the liturgy begins. Handicapped parking for this event will be located in the upper lot closest to Tom Smith Road, but the lower-level drop-off provides the easiest entry for anyone with a mobility issue.

There will be no reserved seating for the Dedication Mass except for these groups:

1. a section for our deacons and the concelebrating priests, most of whom have served at SJN;
2. a section for the 4th degree Knights of Columbus serving as an honor guard at the liturgy;
3. a section in the front pews for those with a part in the liturgy; and
4. a section for the choir members who will rotate in and out of the choir area.

The members of the new technology ministry of SJN are working to provide a screen and audio in the current worship space in case an overflow area is needed (and I hope it will be needed!). All who are planning the liturgy are doing our best with every aspect of this extraordinary event for SJN. I will hope and pray for patience and for a spirit of joy and calm… so that all may experience this gift of God… a true sign of renewal at SJN.

During the time of receiving the Sacrament of the Lord, we will be using a new pattern for the reception of Holy Communion. We plan to publicize the new directions for approaching the altar to receive the Eucharist the week before the Dedication.

After the conclusion of the liturgy, we will have a simple reception outdoors, on the plaza, with cookies, fruit, and punch. If we are “blessed” with rain, we will shift the reception to the lower-level rooms of the new worship space.

These are a few points to keep in mind as we prepare for the 24th. One last point: please
remember that SJN has taken the teaching of the Lord Jesus, His golden rule, and created a Golden Rule of Parking: park as far away from the new church as you can, leaving the better parking places for your neighbor, and especially for those that have some issue with mobility. The Lord invites us to do unto others whatever you would have them do unto you. This is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). I ask that we apply this Golden Rule of Parking as we move into the new worship space… and a new chapter of living… for this great parish family.

AMDG

Msgr. David Talley