Easter Vigil 2011

The Easter Vigil Mass begins at dusk, when it is dark. The fire is started outside and the Christ candle is lit. "Christ our Light" is sung while all the candles are lit, which guide our way into the church. Much thanks for the beautiful pictures which were taken by Richell Chiu, parishioner.

Everyone has a candle that is being lit from the flame of the Christ candle.

Light fills the church from all the candles.

Deacon Dennis carried the Paschal Candle this year.

The baptismal font is up and running with water flowing over the west side of the font into the immersion pool below. You can see the Elect in the purple garments lined up near the far steps of the baptismal pool. They will be the first ones baptized in this immersion pool!

Thomas Aguilar is baptized with the flowing waters by Fr. Kerns.

The new Paschal Candle stand was delivered Saturday around noon. This year's candle is bigger and heavier than our previous candles; it is now 3 inches in diameter. The center wood section was taken from a tree off of the church property meant to resemble the wood pillars inside the church.

This picture provides a better view of the new candle stand. We also blessed new sacred vessels at the Holy Thursday Mass seen on the altar in the above picture.

If you'd like to see more Easter pictures taken by Richell Chiu, please visit her website.

Drinking Fountains!

The drinking fountains in the Narthex have been installed along with a bulletin board displaying the artwork from the Faith Formation classes.

The Ambry is almost complete. The Ambry holds the sacred oils used for Anointing , Baptisms and Confirmation.

Our St. Juan Diego Icon has a home

Our St. Juan Diego Icon has found a permanent home in the narthex and was beautifully adorned for Christmas. More Christmas pictures coming soon.

We have a piano now!

The piano was delivered today, Friday, December 17, 2010. Just in time for Christmas!

Work is also being done to raise the edges of the ramps on the sides of the altar plinth. These new edges will be finished with wood similar to the altar plinth.

Fr. John playing the new piano shortly after it was delivered.

The cross has been mounted on top of the church

The electricians working on the wiring for the lighting of the cross.

The cross is very heavy and required a crane to move it to atop the church.

Moving the cross into position to be lifted up and placed on top of the church.

Pictures from the Open House

The Open House Committee did a great job noting what all the items are in a Catholic Church.

More signs with descriptions of important items in our church.

This picture shows the backside of the altar where you can see the aperture where the relics were placed. The enshrining of holy relics is an ancient custom within the Catholic Church. This practice hearkens to a time when persecuted Christians in the early church would celebrate Mass in the catacombs near the remains of martyrs. Our relics are of Saint Philip of Jesus, Saint John Vianney and Saint Flavia Domitilla.

I wide view of the church during the open house. Acoustical curtains have been hung in the back of church to help absorb sound and provide space for storage.

At the Open House, there were tables set up with descriptions of each of the Seven Sacraments and some of the symbols associated with each sacrament.

A couple more Dedication pictures

The Archbishop really pours chrism on the altar! The picture above shows how well the he anointed the altar. A brazier is placed on the altar after the anointing and incense is lit by the Archbishop.

The dedication stone was taken from the same stone used to make the baptismal font.