Montana church rededicated on Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Last updated on: October 27, 2012 at 7:04 pm by CNA Daily News

Montana church rededicated on Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary 2012-10-27T19:04:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bozeman, Mont., Oct 27, 2012 / 01:04 pm (CNA).- Chrism oil on the altar, blessings over a new baptismal font and a standing-room congregation were part of the rededication of Holy Rosary Parish in Bozeman, Mont. on Sunday, Oct. 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Bishop George Leo Thomas of Helena, celebrated the Mass that included Fathers Leo Proxell, who is the Holy Rosary pastor; Joe Oblinger, a retired priest in Big Sky; Val Zdilla, pastor at Resurrection Parish in Bozeman; and Gregory Burke, who is retired and is a former Holy Rosary pastor.

Renovation of the church began in 2005 when Father Proxell formed a committee to determine the priorities. By 2005, the parish had 1,000 registered families, more than double the 450 when Father Proxell arrived in 2001.

“We had people in the basement watching Mass on TV,” he said in an article published in The Montana Catholic last December.“ This community is an extraordinarily well catechized community because of my predecessor, Father Beaulieu, so they were upset that people were in the basement.”

In preparing for the renovation, two priorities emerged: stay at the downtown site and double the church’s seating capacity. Plans by ThinkOne Architecture expanded the seats from 350 to 650. They are in cruciform design and are on three sides of the main altar.

The rededication Mass featured music by the Holy Rosary choir accompanied by an orchestra section from Montana State University and directed by Timothy Dueppen, MSU professor of brass and jazz.

Bishop Thomas blessed the new altar and poured chrism oil on its four corners. The oil then was rubbed in by the bishop, sealing the altar with the Holy Spirit.

Then a brazier of incense was placed upon the altar, symbolizing prayer ascending to God. Finally, as in baptism, the altar was adorned with a white cloth and the lighting of candles took place as a sign of the faith. The altar’s dedication was complete only when the Eucharist was celebrated upon it.

Bishop Thomas and priests put chrism oil on the four walls of the church. “This must continue to be that special place, of warmth and welcome, where the poor and powerless, the least, the last and the lowly, have a special place in the heart of the parish, and a reserved place at the table of the Lord,” Bishop Thomas said in his homily.

“You and I are the living stones, comissioned, co-missioned, to bring his love into every heart and home, to people great and small, in this favored portion of the Lord’s vineyard.”

Also at the rededication, the new baptismal font was blessed and the Eucharistic Chapel inaugurated.

A week later, on Oct. 14, the Holy Rosary pipe organ was dedicated.

Posted with permission from The Montana Catholic, official newspaper for the Diocese of Helena.

Previous Post

October 27, 2012

Christian Bale presents award to blind pro-life activist from China

Next Post

October 27, 2012 Cardinal O'Brien calls for witness to Jesus' empty tomb

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Gospel" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Good News Holy Word Sacred Story God's Truth