Home / News & Publications / News Releases / Bishop Flores to Celebrate Mass of Reparation at St. Andrew Church
On October 26 at 6 p.m.
Bishop Flores to Celebrate Mass of Reparation at St. Andrew Church
Contact: Fr. Ed Zaorski (313) 671-3189
(pronounced zah-OR-ski)
Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Flores will celebrate a Mass of Reparation at 6 p.m. today, October 26, at St. Andrew Church on Detroit's west side. The Mass is in response to the October 24th theft of the church tabernacle containing the Holy Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the true presence of Jesus Christ.
St. Andrew Church is located at 7060 McGraw, at the corner of Cecil, in Detroit. Thieves gained entry through a broken window. In addition to the tabernacle containing the Holy Eucharist, also taken were candelabra, the top of the baptismal font, the paschal candle, and other items.
A criminal or notorious act in a worship space, such as what occurred at St. Andrew, constitutes a desecration or violation of the church. While the church can be used for devotions following such an act, it may not be used for the celebration of the sacraments until and unless a Mass of Reparation is celebrated.
For the Mass of Reparation, Bishop Flores will wear purple vestments, as would be used on Good Friday. The tone of the Mass will be penitential. The altar will be stripped and sprinkled with holy water and incensed before it can be redressed. Bishop Flores will then bless the remainder of the church with holy water. A new tabernacle for the Blessed Sacrament will be put in place.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for the return of the tabernacle and its contents. Initially, a reward of $500 was offered by the parish. That offer was matched by an anonymous donor. Anyone with information is asked to telephone Fr. Julian Chmura, pastor of St. Andrew, at (313) 361-1717 or Fr. Ed Zaorski, pastor of SS. Andrew and Benedict, at (313) 381-1184.
The gold plated tabernacle is triangular in shape and inscribed with alpha and omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Holy Eucharist was inside, as were a ciborium (a gold-plated vessel with a cover used for holding communion wafers) and a luna (a glass vessel used for holding a large communion wafer).
"We are not interested in prosecuting anyone, all we're seeking is the return of the tabernacle and its contents," said Fr. Zaorski, who also serves as vicar of the Southwest Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
|
