A new baptismal font and baptistery at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Annville gave pause for a symbolic reflection on Sunday morning as parishioners watched the solemn rite unfold at the start of Mass.
Facing the spacious, window-framed baptistery at the back of the church, the faithful looked on as Bishop Timothy Senior blessed the font, its water and the baptistry before the congregation renewed their baptismal promises at the start of the 10:30 a.m. Mass on October 26.
The baptistery and font are among recent renovations to the 44-year-old church in anticipation of the parish’s centennial anniversary in 2028.
“Is there any more beautiful representation of the entrance into a deeper communion with God than the baptismal font? That’s our entry point, sacramentally, into the Church,” Bishop Senior said.
“It’s a reminder to us of the Church’s continual renewal and the ongoing work of evangelization that we all share in, the carrying of the Word of God, and the relationship God invites each one of us to have with Him,” the bishop remarked in his homily.
Renovations to the church interior got underway in July, with parishioners gathering for Mass in the parish hall during the project, which resulted in the reconfiguration of three altars, the relocation of the baptistery and font, repositioning the tabernacle to the center of the sanctuary, a refurbished choir loft, and new flooring, lighting and paint.
Conversations and plans for the project, which came in under $440,000, had been in the making for several years – including during the pastorates of Father Job Foote and Father Kevin Coyle – as the leaders and parishioners of St. Paul’s began envisioning the parish’s 100th anniversary in 2028.
Father Matthew Cannon, pastor, celebrated the Mass following the blessing of the baptistry and baptismal font as parishioners rejoiced in the beauty and splendor of their freshly refurbished church.
He thanked Bishop Senior and the parishioners for their support of his pastorate and their backing of the project; 89% of parishioners have pledged or donated to the renovation efforts.
“I’ve been here for a year and a half; Bishop, this project does not happen without your approval. Thank you for your trust in me and for allowing me to lead this wonderful community of St. Paul the Apostle,” he said.
Turning to the congregation, Father Cannon continued: “I cannot tell you how grateful I am and how blessed I am to be your pastor. This community has helped me grow already in so many amazing ways. I am inspired by such witnesses and such faith and such love that this community has. Thank you for welcoming me in so many ways. Thank you for helping me grow. Thank you for allowing me to be the priest that I can be for all of you.”
In his homily, Bishop Senior said the beauty of the renovated church is a reflection of the goodness of the parish community.
“Beautiful renovations of a church like this happen because the community comes together, most especially generous benefactors who have supported financially but also those who supported it with their time and expertise, working together as a community of faith to beautify this worship space,” the bishop said.
The sanctuary and altar are points of contact between ourselves and God, he said.
“It’s good to pause on this Sunday to particularly give thanks to God for the gift of this parish community and call to mind what kind of connection we have with Jesus when we come to church. What is the attitude that we bring, and how can we deepen and enrich the experience? This renewed worship space is an invitation to us, an opportunity for us to reflect on that,” Bishop Senior said. “We know that connecting with Jesus, receiving His Precious Body and Blood, hearing His Word, experiencing His presence as we do today in the community of faith and in the worship experience – all of that is about coming to know and love Him, to serve Him, to follow Him ever more closely.”
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
