By Marie Mulvenna

"It's a perfect house for God." A fourth grade student at Sts. Peter & Paul school described her feelings on the parish's new tabernacle to its Atlanta sculptor. Jim Clover, who has been doing sculpture in the city for 11 years, says he was both awed and delighted at the assignment since he had never before done a piece of liturgical art.

The product of his efforts is a massive 600-pound tabernacle, which stands five feet high and is three-and-a-half feet wide. It is brass and steel, combined in artistic form.

Clover said the process of welding brass onto steel is a slow and tedious one but also one he enjoyed immensely. He is quick to add his comments about the parish priests, Father Henry Gracz and Father Paul Berny, whom he described enthusiastically as "great guys and fantastic people."

The new tabernacle, which is located near the entrance door of the church's interior, is an imposing structure, simple in design, yet rich in appearance and significance. The tabernacle is part of the parish's renovation of the church interior and it has evoked favorable response from the members of the parish community.

Fourth graders at Sts. Peter and Paul School have been penning their own reaction to the delighted Clover who reads the touching sentiments as though they were professional awards. A native of Iowa, Clover is a graduate of Kansas City Art Institute and Tulane University and works alone in his downtown Atlanta studio.

Father Gracz, pastor, said the location of the reservation of the Eucharist was selected for several reasons, two of which, he explained, were for private prayer, and for the Eucharist for the sick. Father said most people expect the tabernacle to be located directly behind the altar and somewhat distant from them.

He said that the location, near the entrance doors, is extremely conducive to private prayer and is utilized often by members of the parish. Two copies of the New Testament and Psalms are placed in the kneeler rails in front of the tabernacle, which is flanked by plants. The base of the tabernacle is "noble and simple" and is designed to permit people to place candles around it. Several special spotlights to highlight the structure have been installed in the high ceiling of the building.

Commenting on the tabernacle, its style and design, Father Gracz referred to the "General Instruction on the Liturgy" quoting section 254 which states that at all times the Church needs the service of the arts and allows for the popular and regional diversity of artistic expression. High artistic standards should be followed, it adds. Father Gracz explained that the entire concept for the remodeling process was to conform to the "General Instruction" which also states that "the noble simplicity which reflects authentic art should be a major factor in selecting furnishings."

Father offered an additional reference to the Instruction, which states that even in matters of small importance, every effort should be made to preserve an artistic appearance and to combine cleanliness, simplicity and quality.