Bishop Dedicates New Altar in Great Falls

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 12/5/02)

GREAT FALLS — Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde ended the Church’s liturgical year by dedicating the new altar and baptismal font at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Great Falls on Nov. 30.

The new altar, which was designed and executed by St. Jude Liturgical Studio of Philadelphia, contains the relics of eight saints, including: Catherine of Siena, Dominic, Thomas Aquinas, Maria Goretti, Elizabeth Ann Seton, John Neumann, Katherine Drexel and Frances Cabrini.

Concelebrating Mass with Bishop Loverde were Father Franklyn McAfee, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish; Father Paul Richardson, parochial vicar; Father Jerome Fasano, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Clifton; Father Richard Guest, administrator of St. Theresa Parish, Ashburn; Father William Saunders, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Potomac Falls; Father David C. Bonarrigo, T.O.R., pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Herndon; and Father Edward Hathaway, pastor of St. John Parish, McLean.

Deacon Joseph Benin assisted at the altar.

"This building is our parish home, the home of God’s family here in Great Falls," Bishop Loverde said in his homily. "Joy fills our hearts this day as we witness the dedication of the new altar in this, our parish home.

"In every church, the altar is the center of the thanksgiving perfected in the Eucharist," he said. "The altar is Christ. At this altar, through His priest, Christ will change the bread and wine into His Body and Blood.

"We, too, are altars for the Lord. Each day must find us willing to be living altar for the Lord."

The bishop said the Church of Arlington "rejoices this day" for the strengthening of the parish family at St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

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