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BY ERIKA ANDERSON
Staff Writer
ROME--The illuminated steeple of St. Mary’s Church stands 12 stories
above the streets of Rome, a visual representation of the newly dedicated
church and the dreams of its parishioners.
Built in 1931 in American Benedictine style, the church, renovated and
expanded, was rededicated by Archbishop John F. Donoghue at a Mass on Dec. 19,
bringing to fruition eight years of planning.
The church was expanded to include a right and left transept on either side
of the altar and seating was increased from 270 to 425 people. A new high
altar, 14 new stained glass windows, a new organ and pews were also placed in
the church.
New construction includes a two-level parish center with church offices, a
nursery, parish hall, bride’s room and adult education library. A new
glass vestibule connects the old and new buildings. In addition, a steeple
envisioned by the original architect in 1929 was placed to the left of the
entrance atop a bell tower and is illuminated at night.
Father James Miceli, pastor, said with the completion of the work, the
70-year-old parish has the facilities needed today for worship and for parish
life and education.
“The tendency in human beings is to be relieved when a project is
finished--to celebrate its completion, to sit down to a meal, to talk about
everything that went into the effort and to consign the accumulated labor and
thought and resource-gathering to the past, so that in the future, those who
remember, may see proper limits to the event they recall--its planning, its
beginning, its progress, its completion and finally, the setting of the seal of
faith and of history upon the work,” Archbishop Donoghue said in his
homily.
“This is very much a part of what we are here today for--to tie up the
beautiful work that has been accomplished here, by priest and parishioners,
into a presentable gift to the Lord, wrapped up in the many layers of human
activity that have seen it through to the end, and adorned with prayer--the
prayers of the Faithful, as we gather here around this new altar of Faith in
this reborn and reconfigured Temple of the Lord our God.”
The $2.4 million project was designed by architects Kermit B. Marsh &
Associates of Atlanta and built by contractors Colyer, Lloyd of Anniston, Ala.
Archbishop Donoghue reminded the congregation that a church is only a
building without God’s presence.
“No building blocks, no decorations, no precious materials nor pealing
bells can have any meaning at all, unless we turn them over to God, ceasing to
assert our ownership, our will and trusting Him to give us to enjoy, that
portion which we deserve,” the archbishop said. “We are not saved by
our own works--we are not cleansed because we open the doors, cross the
threshold, and enter into the presence of God--we are saved because in these
fine and beautiful places, which we have prepared, with the blood and sweat of
our bodies and minds, the Lord God comes to meet us, and in His coming brings
us the greatest gift of all, salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.”
Following the homily and a litany of the saints, relics of St. Helen, Pope
St. Pius X and St. Therese of Lisieux from the original altar of the church
were placed beneath the table of the new altar. Archbishop Donoghue then prayed
the prayer of dedication and anointed the altar and walls of the church with
chrism, a symbol of Christ who offered His life on the cross, and a sign that
the church is set apart for worship.
The altar, church and congregation were then incensed as a sign of the
prayer which would waft up to God in this place of prayer. The altar was
covered with a linen cloth for the celebration of the Eucharist and the candles
on the altar and throughout the church were lit recalling Christ as the light
of the world.
The high altar, which holds the tabernacle, was acquired by Father Miceli
from a Jesuit boarding school in Prairie du Chien, Wis. Crafted of white carved
marble with gold inlaid mosaic, the altar was appraised for $750,000. Father
Miceli was able to purchase the altar, along with 100 feet of Communion rail,
from the school for $11,000. The Communion rail was later crafted into the
altar of sacrifice and pulpit by parishioners Ed and Bob Cescutti.
Father Miceli said that the high altar was dedicated at the Jesuit school on
or around the same time that St. Mary’s Church was first dedicated in May
1931.
“The new high altar is a beautiful example of Gothic carving,”
Father Miceli said. “It anchors everything in the church very well.
It’s a piece of sculpture worth preserving.”
The new addition will enable the various ministries of the parish to expand
and the renovation of the church has created a new worship experience for
parishioners. Classrooms were not added because religious education classes are
held at St. Mary’s School.
“The whole reaction has been wonderful, not only from the parishioners,
but from the residents of Rome as well,” the pastor said.
The parish has 700 English-speaking families and a large enough Hispanic
community to fill the church each week for a Spanish Mass. Father Miceli said
the number of parishioners has more than doubled since 1990, which he links to
growth in the community.
“Rome is a very nice community. The quality of life is good, the school
system is good and we’re close enough to the cultural amenities of Atlanta
and Chattanooga,” he said. “I think once people see Rome, they fall
in love with it, just like I did.”
Father Miceli said that parishioners are very excited to be in the new
church and that celebrating the dedication was a joyous occasion.
“You don’t know how much you need until you actually have
it,” he said. “We keep asking ourselves how we managed before. It was
wonderful to get everyone together in the new hall after the dedication.”
Father Miceli said that St. Mary’s is blessed with parishioners who
care about their church, many of whom held important roles in the planning and
construction. He said that many parishioners were “very much involved in
the decision making process,” but that his role was to “pull people
together.”
“To be able to take their dreams and see them happen has been
wonderful,” he said. “It was great to see the smiles on their faces
when they were finally home. It’s been very rewarding.”
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