Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church (HNM), 278 S. Main St, Montrose, extends an open invitation for their First Friday devotions Sept. 6, and the first Friday of every month thereafter.
On these First Fridays, services begin with the celebration of the 12:10 p.m. Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration where the consecrated Host is publicly displayed on the altar until the evening Benediction.
Participants pay respects through silent, private prayer and adoration/veneration of the Eucharist. Even though the consecrated Eucharist is always present in the church tabernacle, the exposure in the presenting vessel, called a monstrance, offers a quiet, spiritual environment as a respite stop for weary travelers as they journey in faith.
At all times during veneration in the church, two or more people are communing with their living Lord following the biblical words written in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
Beginning at 6 p.m., The Men of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic organization dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, lead the congregation in the Rosary, a litany of prayers to the Sacred Heart, and sacred music. Fr. Philip Rayappan then closes the veneration/adoration with Benediction, the Roman Catholic devotion of blessing the people using the monstrance encompassing the Eucharistic Host.
Following Benediction, the Host is reposed in the tabernacle and Fr. Philip celebrates the 7 p.m. Mass, followed by the anointing or laying on of hands for physical or spiritual healing. Worshipers may attend anytime during the afternoon and/or evenings during First Fridays at HNM Church.
New members are encouraged to join The Men of the Sacred Heart, call Ed Kays at 570-767-1005 or Angelo Scarfalloto at 570-967-2787 for information.
All are welcome at Holy Name of Mary Church. For church information, call 570-278-1504.
The bell tower and steeple of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church (HNM) were part of a dream in 1886 and a reality in 1887.
Swinging vicariously from boatswain chairs above HNM, steeplejacks began major restoration work Aug. 20 on the deteriorating 125-year old steeple/tower by removing the bell and the cross.
The steeple was leaking, causing damage to the choir loft ceiling. The building and grounds committee and Fr. Philip Rayappan realized that the steeple repair was a high priority to prevent structure damage.
Joe Bayer, Building & Grounds Chairman, said bids were sought and the work was awarded to Atkinson Steeplejacks out of Philadelphia with the 2013 bid of $50,000. Back in 1886, the entire original church structure was awarded to contractors in Binghamton, NY for the low bid of $4,875.
Atkinson Steeplejacks ground the historic bell
The bell tower and steeple contact includes sealing the leakage, replacing deteriorating wood, cleaning, repairing minor structural damage, painting and installing an insect/bird screen, and making the tower and steeple weather tight.
In keeping with Montrose town pride for authentic restoration, crown moldings will be added to the steeple restoring an original architectural feature. The cross will be once again coated in 23-karat gold leaf and then returned to its crowing glory atop the restored steeple.
The bell has not been in service for years. An electronic system replaced its nostalgic tolls in the seventies and today that, too, needs replacement. The manual bell rope still hangs in the choir loft as a testament to by-gone days when the tolling bells spoke a language well known to the faithful. Long-term future plans include a new electronic bell system that will once again speak to worshipers, mourners or those celebrating weddings or baptisms. As a fitting tribute, the 1887 bell will be officially retired to a prominent memorial spot on the church grounds.
The steeple/tower work is expected to be completed within a month.
For HNM church information contact 278-1504.
