The Ambo…
The word ambo derives from the Greek verb anabainein (“to go up”) and was the name given to the elevated platform from which the scriptures were proclaimed in the large churches of the early Middle Ages. In smaller churches of the time, the priest and lector stood at the altar rail; only the bishop stood at the chair (the cathedra) for proclaiming and preaching. A later development saw elaborate, elevated pulpits attached to church pillars for better visibility and audibility. The liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965) called for the location of the ambo to be a natural focal point for the assembly during the liturgy of the word.
The ambo is a place for the act of proclamation. By its form and appearance it honors Christ present in the word, and hence evokes reverence and attentiveness when the word is sung or spoken from it. Here is the place for the proclamation of the scripture readings, the leading of the singing of psalms, for preaching God’s word and perhaps for leading prayers of intercession. All other announcements and speeches are to be made elsewhere.
The ambo should be beautifully designed and carefully proportioned to suit its function – not as a shrine for the lectionary, but as a cradle for the word that embodies the story of our salvation, the mystery of the word made flesh among us.
The ambo at Saint Peter Church was added with the 2003 renovations. It clearly matches the altar and is crafted from the same material, Indiana limestone and black onyx marble. This shows the close connection liturgically between the liturgy of the word and the liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Chair…
The ancient Latin word cathedra, used to designate the chair of a high-ranking civic official, was adopted by the early Christian church to refer to the cathedra or chair of the bishop. It was from the cathedra that the bishop presided at the liturgy and preached on the scriptures. The cathedra is the bishop’s chair and the place he presides over official diocesan functions. The Cathedral takes its name from that chair and thus is the building that housed the bishop’s chair.
Other chairs (sedilia) for attending priests and deacons were placed to the side. Later developments of church architecture saw the cathedra of the bishop elevated on a podium, and more throne-like in design. As parishes developed in the fourth century, a less ornate chair was used in the local church by the priest. The presider’s or presidential chair soon became superfluous as the priest stood at the altar for most of the liturgical action.
The liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council sought to recover the function of the chair of the presider. The materials and design of the chair should identify it as part of the particular place of worship. Its style should speak of the ministry of presiding, not of remoteness or prestige. Since we now have a fuller understanding of Christ’s presence in the assembly of all the faithful, the presider’s chair cannot signify privilege, but rather a sense of leadership in prayer, as well as the dignity and service that are inherent in Christian ministry.
From this chair, the presider calls the people of God to prayer, joins them in attentiveness to the word, keeps with them moments of silence, leads them in petitions of forgiveness, invites them to profess their faith, lifts up their intercessions for every need and send them forth with God’s blessing. And although rarely done by anyone other than a bishop, the rubrics allow preaching from the chair, too.
The present presider’s chair at St. Peter Church was added during the 2003 renovations to coordinate with the updated décor and style of those renovations. Our chair is crafted to match the light oak wood of our church and the upholstery is in keeping with the color and style of the existing chairs in the sanctuary. It is located on the right side of our sanctuary as one looks directly at the altar from the nave of the church.
October is doing its magic on us this year with its brilliant colors on our trees and warm sunny days and cool nights and bright blue skies. If there is one month one would miss if you lived outside of Missouri it would be October. Enjoy it, folks, and I’ll see you in church or on livestream.
Monsignor Jack
0822
This Week's Bulletin
This week's bulletin is attached below. Hard copies of this weekend’s bulletin are available on the shelf in the vestibule of the rectory office.
How can I continue to support St. Peter Parish?
Join us for Sunday Mass - In Person or Livestream!
Knights of Columbus: Join the Knights
Any Catholic gentleman over the age of 18 joining the Knights of Columbus online through the year-end will have their initiation fee waived and their first annual membership fee of $30 will not be due until Jan 2022.
This special offer is being extended to potential new members in celebration of the pending beautification of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Michael J. McGivney.
Reducing Racial Bias
Save the Date!
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
7:00 pm.
St. Peter Parish Committee on Racism
Virtually presents
Reducing Racial Bias:
Everyday strategies for people seeking to deepen their understanding and build more committed families and equitable communities
Join Adelaide Lancaster for a virtual, interactive conversation on reducing racial bias. Adelaide is the co-founder of We Stories, a St. Louis-based non-profit that helps families start and strengthen conversations about race and racism and then engages them in the work of racial justice. Ms. Lancaster helps families and individuals reexamine the role that socialization has played in their own comfort and discomfort around topics of race. Together we will consult the research, trace the origins of our collective discomfort, and dig into everyday strategies that counteract bias formation. There will be a special focus on supporting school age learners.
All are invited! This presentation will be enlightening for all adults of the parish.
The Zoom link for the event will be in upcoming parish emails and
and in the bulletin on Sunday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 8.
For more information, contact Joan Turnure at jsturnure@gmail.com
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation begins during the Fall of 2020 for Confirmation reception on Thursday, May 6, 2021. If you are a St. Peter Parish 8th grader attending a private Catholic school, please contact Susan Lueker at slueker@stpeterkirkwood.org. You will be added to the list of Confirmation candidates.
Students attending St. Peter School and PSR will receive information through their programs.
Prevent and Protect STL
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has developed a new system for safe environment compliance called Prevent and Protect STL. Everyone (clergy, employees and volunteers) ministering to minors and vulnerable adults in the Archdiocese are required to register in the new system before December 31, 2020. This includes those new to service as well as those who are currently compliant and in service. For those who have already attended a Protecting God's Children workshop, your previous training date will transfer to this new system. In addition to attending a live Protecting God's Children workshop, all clergy, volunteers and employees will register for an updated background screening, view two new on-line training modules on abuse reporting and the Code of Ethical Conduct, and agree to the updated Code of Ethical Conduct.
Please go to www.preventandprotectstl.org: select the ‘register’ link and enter ‘stlprotect’ for the passcode. Then create your username and password for this new system. Contact Mary Doyle, the parish Child Safety Coordinator, at (314)966-8600 or mdoyle@stpeterkirkwood.org with any questions or for assistance.
Thank you for your continued support.
Memorare
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
