By Fr. Gabriel Baltes, OSB
Special to the Catholic Herald
Cathedral project integral part of DSA campaign
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Programs, Cathedral focus of special three-year campaign |
SUPERIOR --Some may be wondering what progress has been made on the Cathedral Preservation and Enhancement project. The following offers a brief update.
During the spring and summer months a great deal of fund-raising activity occurred. This entailed a feasibility study that was conducted in two phases. The first phase focused on the cathedral parish, and the second on the diocese at large. The purpose of the two-fold study was to discover what could feasibly be raised in support of this project. It was determined that from the cathedral parish $750,000 was a possible amount, while from the diocese at large, $3.25 million was plausible. The $3.25 million from the diocese will become part of the annual Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA) over the next three years.
Other fund-raising events included deanery-wide gatherings of all the priests, the purposes of which were to give the priests opportunity to share their input on the cathedral project as well as learn from their own experiences of both building and fund raising.
A committee of priests was formed who will be available, when needed, to advise the bishop in matters involving extraordinary gifts for the cathedral.
Within the upcoming weeks Bishop Raphael Fliss will host four separate gatherings throughout the diocese to which potential major donors have been invited. It is the bishop's intention to personally share his own vision for the cathedral project with these individuals and express the diocese's need for their generosity.
In terms of the enhancement and design of the cathedral interior, several revisions have been made from the first artist's rendering. Most notable is the elimination of the mosaic figures on either side of the image of Christ, the teacher, in the sanctuary apse. This was done to simplify the space and keep a more Christocentric effect.
Also of note is the relocation of the ambo from the middle of the sanctuary to the left side where it is currently located. After careful study, it was determined that the current location is the most suitable for this liturgical furnishing and the activity that transpires there, namely the proclamation of the Scriptures and preaching.
The bishop's chair, or cathedra, was relocated to the middle of the sanctuary, behind the altar. At solemn liturgical events, when the priests of the diocese gather at the cathedral (e.g. Chrism Mass), portable chairs will be stationed on either side of the bishop's chair to emphasize the priests' vital link to the bishop who is the chief shepherd and symbol of unity for the local church.
The wrought iron screen behind the bishop's chair functions to create a separate eucharistic Chapel for private adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Two doors on the screen can be opened so that the tabernacle might be visible when necessary. The design of the screen was slightly altered to create an inverse arch effect on its top. A stylized wheat and grape motif (obviously eucharistic in theme) is the subject matter on most of the screen. The two central doors of the screen will depict adoring angels.
Apart from the interior modifications that were decided upon, significant research has been accomplished by the organ and instruments sub-committee. This committee consists of five musicians from either the cathedral parish or the diocese at large. They have worked closely with a professional organ consultant and acoustical engineer hired by the diocese to advise the core-committee on the adequacy of the present organ and the possibility of purchasing a new one better suited for the cathedral space.
The choir and organ will be relocated to the east transept area to facilitate greater participation and eliminate the need for choir members, some elderly, to ascend the present difficult stairwell leading to the choir loft. Further study by this sub-committee is forthcoming.
As the cathedral project unfolds in greater detail over the months ahead, members of the diocese will be kept abreast on further decisions and developments that affect our local church and the place where it gathers for worship.
Baltes is the co-chair of the Cathedral Preservation and Enhancement Committee
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002