The Southington Catholic Parishes will be offering an in-person bereavement workshop. The New Day process consists of 10 facilitated meetings, and the autumn 2022 group is being formed. The first meeting will begin Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30 PM.
To enroll, or for more information, contact the parish office 860-628-4713 or email:
stthomassouthington@gmail.com
Question: Father, why are there no candles or crosses on the altar ?
Answer:
I try to remove ever ything that obstructs the view of the gifts on the altar. The Second Vatican Council made changes to the liturgy, and one of those involved the altar. Altars were turned not so you could see the priest’s face or he could see yours, but so everyone could see the gifts. They are the center of our prayer as they become the Body and Blood of Christ. It was asked then that even the candlesticks be freestanding and to the side of the altar. I don’t even like to use the bookstand, as I find is stands too high and hinders sight lines. I keep the altar as free of objects as possible to allow everyone in the church to see and fully participate in the action of Transubstantiation. It may look plain, but the greatest gift on earth, The Eucharist - the sacrifice of Christ’s love for us, is there. That is ornament enough.