By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 12/11/03)

Hundreds of parishioners from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria braved the icy cold last Saturday to witness the dedication of the new altar, Stations of the Cross, lectern and the Blessed Sacrament chapel. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde welcomed parishioners as they gathered for the Mass and dedication ceremony.

"As we gather here in such a special and solemn manner this afternoon, our own hearts are filled with joy and thanksgiving. After much reflection, discussion and prayer, we come together to celebrate the dedication of this new altar," the bishop said.

The dedication signaled the completion of an extensive renovation project that began last September. Planning for the $450,000 project that included a new altar, pulpit, tabernacle Stations of theC, carpeting and stained glass window,s began three years ago.

Father John C. Cregan, pastor, said the dedication was an important moment for the parish, which is among the largest in the dioceses with nearly 7,500 parishioners. The church, dedicated in 1988, accommodates 750 people in the main part of the church. In addition to creating a more prominent place of repose of the Blessed Sacrament, the new Stations of the Cross, altar and pulpit are signs and symbols of our faith that help us "to know more deeply God’s love for us."

Father Paul F. deLadurantaye and Xaverian Brother David C. Eddy were the masters of ceremony. Priests from around the diocese assisted in the celebration. The Missionary Sisters of Charity and the Little Sisters of the Poor also participated in the Mass.

In his homily, Bishop Loverde explained, "The altar is a sign of Christ, Priest and Victim. …The Christian altar is by its very nature a table of sacrifice and at the same time a table of the Paschal banquet, a unique altar on which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in mystery throughout the ages until Christ comes again; a table at which the Church’s children assemble to give thanks to God and receive the Body and Blood of Christ. In every church, then, the altar is the center of the thanksgiving perfected in the Eucharist and the focal point around which the Church’s other rites are in a certain manner arranged.

"In this parish home, you who presently make up the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament and those who come after you are being and will be reborn, formed and strengthened as members of God’s family, the Church," Bishop Loverde said.

Marble for the new altar, pulpit and sanctuary came from Turkey and was cut and designed in Poland. The new tabernacle and Stations of the Cross were hand-carved by an artisan from the Dolemite Mountains in Italy and imported last summer.

The new chapel takes the place of former meeting room. The old tabernacle and altar have been moved to the small chapel where daily Mass is celebrated across the hall from the main church. In addition, a small chapel adjacent to the main church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The statue was donated by a parishioner many years ago, and, until recently, has been in the school.

Most parishioners welcomed the changes and the additional space for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

According to Marie Niernderger, coordinator of arts and liturgical environment, the renovations were designed to make the church more conducive to prayer, and to "draw more people in."

Parishioner Frank Woodbury was grateful for the changes.

"I am grateful to Father Cregan. I think he should be made a monsignor for all that he has done. I think more people will come back to the parish now," he said.