At Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, traditional meets modern architecture in the form of a new altar which “brings a unity to the church,” said Father Robert C. Cilinski, pastor.
Hundreds of parishioners crowded into the church to view the renovated sanctuary and witness Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicate the new altar at a March 11 Mass. In addition to the new altar, Nativity added a new tabernacle, lectern, liturgical furnishings, marble floors and mosaic pillars set into the right sanctuary wall. The dedication Mass marked the completion of multiple renovations inside the church. Work was done by Dixon Studio and Rugo Stone.
The decision to renovate the sanctuary emerged during the initial planning phase for the parish’s 50th anniversary Jubilee Mass this June. “The sanctuary had served the church well for 35 years,” Father Cilinski said, “but was in need of some updating.”
At the dedication Mass, Father Cilinski thanked the parishioners for their generosity, describing how the renovations reflect Nativity’s charism of mission. “Our worship should be beautiful and inspiring and also remind us of mission,” he said, and parishioners should continue this mission by reflecting the beauty of Eucharistic worship out in the world.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge reminded parishioners of the Marian theme “Rejoice” for Year Two of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee. “Tonight, we rejoice for the dedication of this new altar and this beautifully renovated sanctuary,” he said.
As he described each step of the dedication rite, Bishop Burbidge encouraged the faithful to reflect upon their own relationship with God. “My friends, as I anoint the altar tonight, perhaps reflect on God’s love for you.” He thanked Father Cilinski for his pastoral leadership and the parishioners for their generosity, support and prayers.
During the dedication, Bishop Burbidge sprinkled the altar and the congregation with holy water. He deposited three saints’ relics — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John Neumann and St. Francis of Assisi — in the altar. After pouring sacred chrism on the altar and anointing it, Bishop Burbidge blessed the altar. A few parishioners then cleaned the altar before dressing it with altar linens.
This union between the traditional and the contemporary is also reflected in the seven new mosaic pillars embedded into the right sanctuary wall, depicting the seven corporal works of mercy. Created by artist Matteo Randi, each brightly colored, mosaic work of mercy is represented by several symbols that also reference other sacraments.
Father Cilinski stated that the relics of Sts. John Neumann and Francis of Assisi were gifted to him by parishioners. “When I saw them,” he said, “I thought, ‘these are the ones that God has chosen for us.’ ”
Alison Fram, lifelong parishioner and parish director of College, Young Adult and Family Ministries, said the renovations marked “a really important moment in Nativity’s community history.”
“Seeing the changes present for the altar dedication ceremony was so beautiful,” she said.
As a member of both the Renovation Committee and Liturgical Art and the Environment Ministry, parishioner Melinda Engelbrektsson described the careful thought that went into guiding the renovations.
“It was an honor to be part of the team overseeing the renovation of our sanctuary,” she said. “We were fortunate to have creative and skilled artisans bring it to fruition. The sanctuary is stunning and each piece was carefully selected to make it a beautiful space to glorify God.”
