By Margarita Mendoza, El Observador Editor
CRYSTAL LAKE—It has been 100 years since the consecration of the first altar of St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Pierson Street.
On Sept. 27, parishioners arrived early for the 6 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop David Malloy and concelebrated by the parish pastor, Father Robert Jones, and the parochial vicars, Father William Tunarosa, Father Charles Fitzpatrick and Father Aaron Downing, who also served as Master of Ceremonies. A group of Knights of Columbus lined the central aisle for the entrance procession.
In his homily, Bishop Malloy explained the difference between consecration and blessing of an altar.
The altar blessing ceremony is “simpler than the consecration of the altar. They are related but different… A consecration is reserved for a fixed, immovable altar. However, this is an altar that could be moved, so we used the blessing according to the instructions. In both cases the blessings are the same… the altar is Christ.
“The altar is more than a special table. A blessed altar comes from the Church to fulfill God’s will… It is the Lord who made it important, not us.
“Second, the altar is the sacrifice of the Cross. Only in faith we can recognize the connection of the altar with the Cross on Good Friday. Because on the Cross Jesus gave His body for our sins, and here in this blessed altar is the same sacrifice of the Cross… It is Heaven touching Earth, in this sense. With our senses we only see a piece of bread, a cup of wine, but, in faith, we know it is the Body of Christ [and] Blood of Christ.
“Third, this altar is a place of unity for us as people of God… This is a reflection from the Old Testament… to present day… Jesus knew that the Mass celebrated in Crystal Lake, 2,000 years after His sacrifice, would be on the altar.”
In his homily, Bishop David Malloy expressed that he was “particularly glad to see so many young people here. How good it is to have you here at Mass, learning, praying.”
He added, “It’s something very important for families, particularly for our young people. I say this because it’s also an event for the future. Particularly, we need more priests from our Hispanic community. Mothers need to talk with their children, encourage them, and let them know there is support if the Lord calls them.”
Bishop Malloy also thanked the priests for their “priestly service” and for the invitation. “We are celebrating the conclusion of the ceremony from the last time I was here to bless the renovated church… I remember well that it was a very beautiful day.”
At the end of the Mass, Father Jones and Father Tunarosa expressed their gratitude to the bishop and the community, mostly Hispanic, who attended the altar blessing.
