Faith Filled Friday: Moving the Tabernacle to the Center

It’s been a few months now, but our pastor at St. Rita’s Church has, at the request of Cardinal Dolan to all parishes, moved the Tabernacle to the center of the Sanctuary.  Cardinal Dolan made this request to all parishes in his diocese that if possible that the Tabernacles should be moved to the center where they had traditionally resided before the Second Vatican Council. For some reason, perhaps they just thought it was more hip with the times, after Vatican II many parishes across the country, perhaps the world, moved their Tabernacles off to the side.  It was a mistake.  Christ should be at the center of the Mass, at the center of our vision, and at the center of our hearts.  We at St. Rita had no problem accommodating the request.

First, here’s a picture from Christmas 2017 as it had been for years.  The red arrow points to the Tabernacle.

Here’s how the full altar looks now with the Tabernacle in the center.

Here is a zoomed in view of the Tabernacle with the lovely new headpiece that our pastor, Fr. Eugene, added.

Here’s a look behind the altar at the beautiful stand set up to hold the Tabernacle.  This was taken before the new headpiece was added.

Changes to the church are not always welcomed.  This was more than welcomed, it was joyful!