Saint
Cornelius Catholic Church
Altar & Ambo
5500 E. Wardlow Road
Long Beach, CA 90808
(Click on an image for a detail view )
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The Altar front
panel is carved out of one solid slab of hard maple. |
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The Altar is one of the three most important pieces of
furniture in a church for the celebration of the Mass. The Christian
altar is by its very nature properly the table of sacrifice and of the
paschal banquet. It is:
In every church, then, the altar "is the center of the
thanksgiving that the Eucharist accomplishes."
At the attar the memorial of the Lord is celebrated and is body
and blood given to the people. Therefore the Church's writers have
seen
in the altar a sign of Christ himself. This is the basis for this saying: "The
altar is Christ."
The altar stone from the old altar will be placed in the new altar.
This stone contains two relics, St. Pius I, Pope and Martyr and St.
Columba, Virgin and Martyr.
-St. Cornelius Catholic Church bulletin May 9, 2004
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The Ambo's two front
panels are also one solid slab of hard maple. They depict all four Evangelists.
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The green river, front and sides are onlays. |
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Christian tradition has long connected
the authors of the four canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) with the four "living creatures" that surround God's throne,
as described in Rev 4:7,
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The sacred scriptures have their own place- The Ambo. (In Creek the
work originally referred to a platform or stage.)
The Ambo's specific purpose provides a place for the Scriptures, the
responsorial psalm, the homily and also the prayer of the faithful.
Consequently, the Ambo should look special; enjoy a fixed place in
the sanctuary, not a portable status subject to removal or displacement.
The Ambo is the primary place form which the Word of God is proclaimed
and so it deserves our sacred respect.
-St. Cornelius Catholic Church bulletin May 9, 2004
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The Man symbolizes Matthew |
The Lion symbolizes Mark |
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The Ox symbolizes Luke |
The Eagle symbolizes John |
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The Team above is responsible for
the creation of these wonderful pieces. Starting on the left: Steve
Lacey - Owner of Red
Barn Furniture, Fabricated and designed
the inner workings of the Altar and Ambo, also in charge of building the
project and
responsible
for
hiring
the finisher
and carver. Rev.
Michael Reardon -
Pastor of St. Cornelius Catholic Church. Valarie MacRae -
Original designer for both Altar and Ambo concept. Brett Plymale-
Steve Lacey's apprentice. Brian Miller - Master
finisher responsible for bringing the pieces to life. Mike
Pinhero - helper. Caesar Yanez - Responsible
for creating the wood carvings. It has been through our schooling
at Cerrito's
College, Wood Technology Department that has brought most
of us together (Steve Lacey, Brett Plymale, Brian Miller, Mike Pinhero;
Caesar Yanez).
Cerrito's College is a great place to learn this craft. Moreover, it is
affordable and the knowledge one gains is priceless!
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© 2006 - All Rights Reserved |
