We are still on schedule to be open for the Holy Triduum starting on April 1 with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 PM!
For several years, it’s been apparent that our church interior needs to be repainted. To this end, Msgr. Carson directed that monies be collected and put aside to help with this project. More recently, several parishioners formed a Painting Committee. They have been offering their professional and artistic opinions to the Pastoral and Finance Councils and to me. One thing that’s clear is that water incursion needs to be abated before we can paint. The good news is that the significant water damage on the wall above the statue of the Blessed Virgin has been repaired, and there is no sign at all of any leak. It’s also clear that we need to install a new ceiling in our church. This is unfortunately a big-ticket item. The current ceiling, which is original from the mid-1800s, is showing its age. The plaster continues to crack and deteriorate, and patching the ceiling is no longer a reasonable option. Finally, it’s also clear that our church, while a small and simple structure, should have a bit more artistic ornamentation to highlight its architecture and to give our worship space and liturgical appointments a little additional solemnity and grandeur. Elias Painting Contracting Company, Inc., of Johnstown will be repainting the church fully, placing a new plaster ceiling on top of the original, and adding artistic flourishes in keeping with the architecture of our church.
The painting and video upgrades are going to require us to close the church for two to three months. Work began Jan. 2, 202. We will continue to have weekend Masses at St. Michael’s but in the Parish Activity Center (building attached to the school). Daily Masses will still be said at 7:45 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) but they will be celebrated at St. Mary Church. If all goes as planned the church will be fully open and beautiful for Holy Week!
(Please be spiritually prepared to receive and approach from the parking lot to the door.)
MONDAY - FRIDAY approx. 8:15 AM (at St. Mary's Church - parking lot side door)
SUNDAY after the 10 AM Mass (parking lot entrance of Activity building)