Dedication of the Church Homily

Today we gather in order to celebrate the Solemnity of the Dedication of our Church.

From 1st Kings we were told, “even the highest heaven cannot contain You- how much less this house which I have built.” Therefore, the stones which make up this church represent that this is a holy place which has been consecrated to God where God continues to dwell among His people. We see this in the sacramental life of the Church especially through the Most Holy Eucharist. Through entering into such a life we are sent forth to put what we have received into action.

It is Saint Paul who reminds that we are “God’s building” and “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Through such a proclamation we are reminded that through this celebration that God desires that we be sanctified in His sight. As the consecrated people of God we must continue to be the living stones which build up the Body of Christ. This means that we are to be sent forth from here to live out a life of faith that transforms all that it touches.

This evening we come to celebrate this parish community and it’s rich history here in Johnson City. In the past many have contributed to the wellbeing of this community by putting their faith into action for the spread of the gospel. As we move into the future we do so proclaiming Christ by the way in which we choose to live and order our life on this earth and thus from these walls flows faith to all that it touches.

Anniversary of Dedication of Church Homily

Today our parish observes the Solemnity of the Anniversary of the Dedication of our Church. On this day in the year 2000 this Church was dedicated unto God that it may be set apart from the rest of the world as a place that is fitting for the celebration of the sacraments and that it may life up our heart to Heaven.

If we look inwardly upon what takes place within these walls we see people being dedicated unto God. They come here in order to pray, that their children may be baptized, that their marriage may be witnessed, that the soul of their loved one may be prayed for at their funeral, that their sins may be absolved, that they may be anointed at the danger death brought about due to sickness or old age, and that they may come to know and love Christ who dwells with us in the Eucharist.

As we are told by Saint Augustine, “just as this building has been made for us to gather in physically, so that building which we ourselves are is being constructed for God to live in spiritually. “For the temple of God,” says the apostle, “which is what you are, is holy.”

Therefore, as we continue our Advent preparations we prepare for the time when He will come again. Day by day we must be built up in order that we may live as a temple of God. We must be found prepared to meet Him at that moment when He comes again. Let this celebration assist us in coming to serve the Lord our God by our life.

Solemnity of Anniversary of Dedication of Church Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Anniversary of the Dedication of our Parish Church. This church building was dedicated on December 2, 2000 and from that point forward the hallowed walls of this church have lifted up many souls in their devotion to God.

In order to enter into a church one must first enter through the doors. It was this doors that welcomed us in at our baptism and it will be these doors that greet us at our death. In all things let us come to this hallowed space in order to be protected from the storms of this world and be prepared for that journey towards Heaven. Herein we receive an abundance of God’s grace which strengthens us in order that we may be prepared for that moment that we enter back into the world that we will live as Christians ought.

Some wrongly think that the building of the church holds no importance in the life of the faithful, but that is not the case. At the heart of Jewish worship was the Temple and so too does the Church become the fulfillment of the Temple and what took place within. The church as a building is very important for it serves as a symbol of the Mystical Body of Christ to which we are members through our baptism.

As Saint John Paul II spoke concerning the importance of the building of the church, “The beauty and the harmony of churches, destined to render praise to God invite us human beings too, though limited and sinful, to convert ourselves to form a ‘cosmos,’ a well-ordered construction in close communion with Jesus, who is the true Holy of Holies.”

Therefore, let these hallowed walls continue to nurture us and destine us towards that ultimate goal of Heaven. Today following Mass I will enthrone our parish to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through this act may we entrust our own life to His in order that we may live as His people. This is exactly what the church does for us. Let us live for Christ for from Him we receive all that we will ever need to live a good and holy life.

Dedication of Church Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Dedication of our Parish Church which was dedicated on this day in the year 2000. This community transcends this reality because we began having Mass in our the gym of our parish school starting in 1990, our former church still stands in downtown Johnson City which was dedicated in 1931, there was a white church building before it, Mass was held in a home overlooking market street starting in 1906, and Mass was celebrated in this city even prior to that.

A church is not a building which is withdrawn from the ordinary. It takes that which is ordinary and dedicates it unto God. When Jesus drove the money-changers out of the Temple, He was not making a statement against capitalism. Rather, He was saying this place is not for that use: that it has been dedicated to something else. Not just for its own sake is a church building dedicated, an altar consecrated, a person baptised: no, we do all of this for a sacred purpose.

Our church is no mere museum for sacred objects, our altar no mere table for a special meal. No: this is the place to praise, to bless and to preach; to sacrifice, intercede and thank; to honour, to consecrate and to commune; to christen, to absolve and to commission. Here the most extraordinary things occur: babies are changed into children of God; bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood; couples into spouses; singles into priests and religious; sinners into saints.

May this sacred space continue to transform the lives of all who enter. The Catholic Church here in Johnson City has a strong history and will have a strong future if we allow God to be the one who is found as at work within us. The ordinary will be taken and will continue to be transformed in the presence of God.

Anniversary of Dedication of Church Homily

Today is a very special day in the life of the local Church of Johnson City for we celebrate the Solemnity of the Dedication of our Church. This parish has a rich history within this city which heralds all the way back to 1906 when this parish was founded. Of those 114 years we have spent 20 of them within this church which we currently use.

If we take a moment to reflect upon the evolution of these past 114 years we will realize the growth of Catholicism throughout this area. As time went by this parish has grown and with it the people of this parish were faced with the need to build a new church. When we look around this place in its vastness we should realize the need to evangelize and to be sent forth to lead others into a relationship with Christ. If that task was not done by those who came before us we would not be in the building that we are in today.

The Church reminds us of the instruction of Christ: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” You see within these hallowed walls we come to encounter Christ who is present with us in the Eucharist. We come to worship God especially as we enter into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We are reminded that independent from our worship of Him that it is impossible for us to be sent out as disciples for there is nothing that we can do when it is done independent of Christ.

As we continue this celebration may we as the people of God continue to come together in our worship of God. From our worship of Him may our hearts be transformed to better reflect Him to those whom we encounter within this life. Truly from our interaction with this holy place we are sent forth to live out our faith and to draw others into relationship with God. It for this reason that we celebrate this great joy which is the anniversary of the dedication of this church.

Anniversary of Dedication of Church Homily

19 years ago this parish church was dedicated unto God.

This was made possible through the hands of many parishioners who came together to make this offering acceptable. To this day this parish community is blessed by many parishioners who carry on this concern through the offering of their time, talent, and treasure. To each of you I say thank you for your generosity springs forth from the Lord and His invitation to us to come and follow after Him in order that He may make us fishers of men.

And so since that time of that dedication these hallowed walls could tell many stories of sacraments celebrated and souls who have been claimed for God the Father. Within these hallowed walls people have proclaimed the Glory of God and have been drawn together as a community of faith.

As one walks into this Church they are first of all greeted by the Baptismal font which serves as a reminder of our baptism. Through this sacrament we have been welcomed into the life of the church. It was here that we were claimed for Christ Jesus and sent forth to proclaim His Most Holy Name.

From this Sacrament springs forth the other Sacraments of the Church. With that the Eucharist has been received here, confessions have been heard, people have been anointed, confirmation has been received, and weddings have been offered. Very soon we will celebrate the ordination of a new priest in the form of one Zach Griffith, may we remember to pray for him.

With that this is a house of prayer. It is the purpose of this place to elevate our sight upwards towards Heaven and inspire each of us to get there. May each of us continue to band together under the banner of the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist we become one though we are many. Through the Eucharist we put difference aside in order to follow after Christ who unites us. It is the devil who desires to spread lies which bring forth division, but as instructed in Holy Scripture a Kingdom divided among itself will not stand.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, despite the turmoil which may lie ahead this church will continue to stand. Truly the gates of hell will not stand against the church. The church will always prevail. Let us celebrate with great joy this day as we come to proclaim the glory of these hallowed walls and the stories contained here in. When we enter this hallowed temple of God may we always be inspired towards Heaven and towards an encounter with Christ.