Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Work continues to progress in the church in many different areas. The most visible change over the last few weeks has been the installation of the framing for the ceiling and the new dome, seen in the photo below:
Work continues to progress in the church in many different areas. The most visible change over the last few weeks has been the installation of the framing for the ceiling and the new dome, seen in the photo below:
The Vision of John
The dome will feature a painting depicting St. John's vision, recorded in Chapter 5 of the Book of Revelation.
In his vision, John sees God the Father holding a scroll containing his plan of salvation. The scroll is written on both sides, symbolizing that the Father's plan is perfect and lacking nothing. However, it is sealed with seven seals, indicating that not just anyone can take the scroll, open it, and accomplish the Father's plan.
John tells us: "I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it." (Revelation 5:4)
One of the elders, symbolic of the saints in heaven, says to John: “Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.” He is speaking about Jesus, whom John now sees as the victorious Lamb who had been slain but was raised from the dead in triumph.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, receives the scroll from the Father to complete the work of salvation. As Jesus receives the scroll, all of heaven, all the angels and saints, begin to cry out to the Lord in worship, praising him for his work of salvation and singing:
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches and wisdom,
strength and honor, and glory and blessing." (Revelation 5:12)
The scene depicts all in heaven and on earth worshipping Jesus, the victorious Lamb of God, who offered his life for our salvation.
The image in the dome will feature the Victorious Lamb in the center, surrounded by the angels and elders in worship, and John, who has been caught up in the vision.
Heaven Meets Earth
We chose to have this image from Revelation 5 painted in the dome directly above the main altar to visually remind us that every time we come to Mass, we join the angels and saints in the worship they offer Jesus in Heaven. Heaven and earth are joined together every time we celebrate Mass:
- As they bow down before the Lamb of God in heaven, we kneel before him here on earth.
- As they praise Jesus for the sacrifice he offered, he makes that sacrifice real for us on the altar, allowing us to be with him at the Last Supper and Calvary.
- As the angels and saints join in the Heavenly Banquet, we receive a foretaste in the gift of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.
- As their song of worship rises before him, we join our voices in that same worship, singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy..." (Revelation 4:8)
Thank You!
Please stay tuned for more updates as the renovation work progresses. Thank you again for your continued prayers for all those involved in the work and your incredible generosity, which is making this work possible.
May God bless you all!
