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New altar blessed in Annandale

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge prays during the Mass where he blessed the new altar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Feb. 7. He is assisted by Deacon Mark Arbeen and James Starke, director of the diocesan Office of Divine Worship. | COURTESY KIM NGUYEN

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, assisted by (from left) Deacon Mark Arbeen; James Starke, director of the diocesan Office of Divine Worship; and Deacon Tom Grodek, blesses the new altar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Feb. 7. | COURTESY KIM NGUYEN

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, assisted by Deacon Malcolm D’Souza, blesses the new altar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Feb. 7. | COURTESY KIM NGUYEN

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Parishioners (from left) Patsy Douglas, Colleen Coyne, Alicia Steger and Patti Barber dress the altar while James Starke, director of the diocesan Office of Divine Worship, looks on at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Feb. 7. | COURTESY KIM NGUYEN

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, assisted by Deacon Malcolm D’Souza, blesses the new altar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Feb. 7. | COURTESY KIM NGUYEN

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blessed a new altar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Feb. 7. The new altar of sacrifice complements the altar of reservation and the still-to-come ambo, according to Father John M. O’Donohue, pastor.

The altar contains relics from: the Twelve Apostles, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Claude de la Colombiere, St. John Bosco, St. John Neumann, St. John Vianney, St. Maria Goretti, St. Maurice, St. Paul of the Cross and St. Therese of Lisieux.

New large wooden frames surround existing artwork and newly installed drywall, which will later be painted and provide a background for statuary.

“Behind the wood frames also was the desire to give greater definition to the sanctuary space,” said Father O’Donohue. “Instead of an unrelieved, massive wall of brick stretching across the width of the church, the wood frames articulate clearly the sanctuary space.”

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