By Barb Arland-Fye
CLINTON — Bishop Martin Amos poured chrism onto the altar’s surface in The Alverno Healthcare Facility’s chapel and with the palm of his hand reverently rubbed the sacred oil into the wood grain.
“Christian writers have long seen the altar as a sign of Christ himself,” the bishop said in his homily during the Jan. 22 Mass to bless the remodeled chapel and dedicate the altar. “It is why the altar is kissed, reverenced and why we celebrate our Eucharist upon it. It is anointed with Christ, honored with incense, clothed in white and illumined with candles – all symbols of Christ’s presence.”
An assembly of about 100 people — including Alverno residents and family members, staff and Sisters of St. Francis – witnessed the dedication and blessing. Six priests, including two from outside the Davenport Diocese, concelebrated the Mass.
After the anointing, Bishop Amos placed a bowl of burning incense on the altar as a sign of the people’s prayers rising up to God.
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