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ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, March 27, 2007
– On Saturday March 31, 2007 at 10:30
a.m., the Most Reverend William Murphy, Bishop of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, will
dedicate the new St. Therese of Lisieux church in
Montauk.
Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Murphy will be
Bishop Emil Wcela, Auxiliary Bishop of the Eastern
Vicariate of the Diocese, Monsignor Peter A. Libasci,
pastor of St. Therese parish and other priests from
within the diocese.
St.
Therese has been in construction for the past five years
and, because of its location on the easternmost tip of
Long Island, has been built on a tract of land that
receives a considerable amount of wind, water and salt
exposure. According to Monsignor Libasci, the church has
been “probably one of the most difficult to build
because of its location.” The old church building
succumbed to this same abuse and was closed to public
use in July of 1995 and demolished in November 2002.
In June
of 1999, Monsignor Libasci came to the pastorate of St.
Therese and along with the parish Building Committee,
renewed the effort to upgrade the parish facilities,
which had deteriorated over time. The new church evokes
memories of the old church building while incorporating
modernizations that will make it a comfortable home for
Montauk’s Catholic community.
With
the ability to accommodate approximately 530 people, the
new building’s two levels encompasses 20,000 gross
square feet and stands as an excellent example of the
Tudor-style specific to the Montauk area.
The new
church has retained 26 stained glass windows, which were
removed from the old church in 1989 prior to its
demolition. These windows, originally installed in 1933,
remain excellent renditions of the Gothic Revival style
that was common to many South German and Bavarian
studios of the late 19th and 20th
century. In addition, two rose window frames were
removed and reinstalled to complement the 35 new art
glass windows which were commissioned for the new
church.
“Many
are awestruck when they’ve seen it,” said Msgr. Libasci
regarding the new church. “Many say they see the old
church in the new church’s construction.”
The Rite of Dedication
The
dedication of a new church is full of meaning and
tradition. Before anyone enters, the church will be
handed over to Bishop Murphy. The architects and
builders take part in this, handing over the plans. Then
the pastor, Msgr. Libasci will unlock the doors and all
will enter, singing a hymn.
Each
part of the church building is blessed as the Mass
progresses. The Bishop blesses the water in the
baptismal font and sprinkles the walls of the church,
the altar and the people with the blessed water. The
Liturgy of the Word continues, as the Bishop reminds all
of the mysteries of Christ that are proclaimed from the
ambo (elevated area where the Gospel is proclaimed).
After
the Homily, the Rite of Dedication begins. The Litany of
the Saints is sung, then the Prayer of Dedication is
said and the altar is anointed with Sacred Chrism. This
is one of the highlights of the dedication as the Bishop
anoints the entire altar table with the sweet-scented
Chrism. In this prayer we are reminded of all the
grace-filled events that happen around the altar, in
particular the celebration of the Eucharist. The walls
of the church are anointed with the Chrism. Then the
walls and the people are honored with incense, that “as
this building is filled with fragrance, so may your
Church fill the world with the fragrance of Christ.” All
the candles are then lighted and Mass continues with the
Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Following Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament chapel
containing the Tabernacle will be consecrated. At the
conclusion of the Mass, the Bishop sends the
congregation out, filled with the blessings of this
joyous celebration.
Though
Catholics had been celebrating Mass in Montauk since the
1760s, the first church did not sprout until 1929-1930
thanks to a burgeoning French Canadian Catholic
community in Long Island’s easternmost point. Then named
the Church of the Little Flower, because of the founding
priest’s devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux, the
completed church building would eventually be dedicated
in 1935 by Bishop Molloy. In 1950, full parish status
was conferred to St. Therese, and seven years later the
Diocese of Rockville Centre was formed out of the then
expansive Diocese of Brooklyn.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Media
tours available upon request.
DIRECTIONS:
St. Therese of
Lisieux
55 S Etna Ave
Montauk, NY 11954-5350
Take the Southern
State Parkway East until the Robert Moses Causeway
South, which you will take to exit RM1E toward Route
27-E/Montauk. Make a slight right turn onto POW/MIA
Memorial Highway/Sunrise Highway by taking the ramp on
the left. You will be on this road for approximately 50
miles. Turn left onto NY-27 East/Montauk Highway and
follow it for approximately 10 miles. Turn left onto
Main Street/NY-27 and follow this for approximately 15
miles. Turn right onto The Plaza, and then turn right
onto South Etna Avenue.
About The Diocese
of Rockville Centre
The
Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in
1957 and covers 1,222 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk
Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million
Catholics (total population in both counties is
approximately 3.3 million). There are 134 parishes in
115 towns. Last year over 20,000 baptisms, 18,000
confirmations, 20,000 first communions and 5,000
marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,137
students in Catholic kindergarten, 23,825 in primary or
elementary school, 12,628 in secondary school and 3,300
in higher institutions. There are 76 Catholic
elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in
the diocese. Catholic Health Services of Long Island
consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, two
home-care agencies, two senior housing complexes, a
community-based home for those with special needs and a
hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more
than 80,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and
disadvantaged on Long Island.
Contact:
Sean P.
Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
sdolan@drvc.org
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