”The church building is actually an image of our Lord’s body, and in decorating this place of worship we become like the woman anointing Christ’s body with precious ointment. (Mark 14:3-9) … 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. …”
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From the beginning of time, God has chosen to meet His people in sacred places. The “holy ground” of Mount Sinai became the tent in the wilderness and the Temple in Jerusalem. The church building is the “dwelling place of God”, and once inside we find colours and furnishings that invite us to be part of the liturgy. Putting those colours and furnishings in place is our Decorating Committee, a dedicated and creative group of parishioners whose phenomenal efforts make our church beautiful. When you enter our church, the current liturgical season greets you with a grace and style befitting our Lady of Grace.
Our Decorating Committee, officially known as Art and Environment, decorates our church 8-10 times a year. And while the word “decorating” may suggest items used for festivities, liturgical decorations mean “appropriate honour”. That’s what the Latin decorus means: “seemly,” “decent”, “fit for its purpose.” Heading the Committee is Adele Marcucci who alongside her husband Joe, has worked with other parishioners on the committee for 20 years. Adele, who studied Art in Italy, sews all of the banners and swags in our church, including the 5-meter ones that sometimes adorn the sides of the Priest’s chair. The group sets a mood that invites us to participate in the liturgy. In fulfilling this purpose, they take into account the liturgical seasons, the readings, feast days, and Parish celebrations. At the heart of the work is the liturgical calendar and its colours.
Green is used in Ordinary Times (time between seasons) while violet/purple is used for Advent and Lent; white for Christmas and Easter; Red for Pentecost . The committee uses meaningful symbols to translate images into the spirit of the worship environment. During Eastertime, Ephesians 1:17-23 tells us that Jesus Christ fills the universe. In response, the committee erects celestial signs – the earth, sun, moon and stars may appear in their banner, always the colour of the present liturgical season.
There is much to learn such as when it is appropriate to change the decorations and where many of them should or should not be placed. During the time of Penance, Adele explains ”you have to reflect so it is not a joyous time. We do not use flowers.” Both Adele and Joe agree the most intense period is during Easter Week when the group meets 4 times to accommodate the flow of the liturgical season. “It is hard but it is the most rewarding,” says Adele.
Each item during the decorating process is placed specific to its symbolism. Banners, baskets of flowers and swags are used to surround the assembly with the theme and colour of the season - many times strategically placed along the walls to create the mood. The altar, the table of the Lord, must be covered with a cloth but not too ornate or large as to fully cover this symbol of the Lord. During Easter, in celebration of the resurrection and ascension of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, Adele and the committee make use of elements that draw the eye upward such as hanging stars and other shapes. She often uses swaths of fabric arcing from wall to ceiling as a symbol of exultation (great rejoicing). A white shroud may hang on the cross … representing the burial shroud of the Lord.
Decorating our church’s house through the seasons is not a labour of love for this group – it is just love. And, as with all our ministries here at Our Lady of Grace, we are truly blessed to have them working among us in service of The Lord.
Pictured here is the ministry at work preparing for the Christmas Liturgy. Click on the thumbnails below to view full images. (Please take your time before starting in order for all photos to load properly.)
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