Something beautiful in Wisconsin: the new St. Cecilia Church

They dedicated a gorgeous new church in the Diocese of Madison last month (with an assist from brand new Deacon Jim Hoegemeier!) and the Catholic Herald has the scoop:

A dream more than 15 years in the making has finally become a reality.

A standing-room only crowd attended Mass in the new St. Cecilia Church in Wisconsin Dells for its Solemn Mass of Dedication on August 28.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison presided at the Mass.

The building began in May of last year with the careful deconstruction of the original St. Cecilia Church that served the community since 1902.

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The old church could seat 350 parishioners, but could no longer serve a growing congregation — currently 650 families — and the many visitors who attend Mass when in town for vacations or sporting events.

The decision was made to take down the church, saving important artifacts and incorporating them into a new church on the same site at 603 Oak St.

The new church can accommodate 850 worshippers.

The $11.5 million construction project was the culmination of more than 15 years of planning and fundraising by the congregation.

…Following the opening hymn, “O God, Beyond All Praising,” Bishop Morlino blessed holy water and walked through the body of the church, blessing the walls and the people.

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Mass continued with the Gloria and the readings and Psalm, read and led by Bob VanWie, Donna Momot, and Kelli Trumble-Borcher. Transitional Deacon Luke Syse read the Gospel.

In his homily, Bishop Morlino invoked the words of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI that, “When one approaches the celebration of the Eucharist one should experience the attitude of amazement.”

“What does amazement mean?” the bishop asked. “Amazement means looking around, as I did, when I first entered the church . . . and saying ‘wow’ . . . Amazement is one giant wow.”

“Today, we are saying to the Lord, ‘this is your house.’ And the Lord, in the beautiful ritual that we celebrate, is accepting this house as his own,” Bishop Morlino said.

Following the homily, a Litany of Saints was sung asking for their intercession on the new church.

The church’s relics were then placed in their respective altars. A relic of St. Jude the Apostle was placed under the high altar, a relic of the True Cross was placed in the side altar shrine of the Sacred Heart, and a relic of St. Cecilia was placed in a side altar shrine of St. Cecilia.

Bishop Morlino then prayed a prayer of dedication to consecrate the church and anointed the low altar with Sacred Chrism.

The bishop next incensed the altar, which was followed by Deacon Syse and Permanent Deacon Jim Hoegemeier incensing the walls and the people.

Check out the rest and see more pictures here. 

Photos: St. Cecilia Facebook page and the Catholic Herald