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November 20, 2008

Church contains art fit for a pope

The worship space at Holy Redeemer Parish has evolved over the past 16 years into a work of art, piece by piece.

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 03.14.08

The art and architectural elements of the sanctuary at Holy Redeemer Parish are cohesively<strong> </strong>blended to form a point of focus on the altar, the Eucharistic table.

JASON COLLINS | FC
The art and architectural elements of the sanctuary at Holy Redeemer Parish are cohesively blended to form a point of focus on the altar, the Eucharistic table.

25 Year Celebration

Where: Holy Redeemer Church, 1454 S. W. Mapp Road
Palm City.

When: Noon, Nov. 16

Call: 772-286-4590

PALM CITY | Mary Ann Busha, a parishioner of Holy Redeemer Parish in Palm City for the past 22 years, has seen her beloved parish grow, expand — and embellish.

“Before we built the church, we were in a hall,” she said.

The present worship space of her parish and the sanctuary were completed in time for the Christmas Eve Mass in 1992 and since have been filled with many beautiful pieces of liturgical art, including stained-glass windows, sculptures and statues — some designed by an artist who has done work for popes.

“I think the church is beautiful,” said Busha. “Many people have remarked on it,” she said.

The liturgical artist who designed many of the church’s interior pieces is Italian Angelo Gheradi, who resides in Park Ridge, Ill.

An open marble surround for the tabernacle is silhouetted against one of the two stained glass windows that frame the sanctuary.

JASON COLLINS | FC
An open marble surround for the tabernacle is silhouetted against one of the two stained glass windows that frame the sanctuary.

“The stained glass windows are fabulous,” said Alvena Clark of Holy Redeemer about Gheradi’s work. “I love them all. They all have significance.”

Gheradi, who studied at the School of Design in LaSpezia, Italy, and at the Art Institute of Chicago, has received many awards and recognitions for his work. He designed the setting of the papal Mass in Chicago’s Grant Park during Pope John Paul II’s visit to the United States in 1979. At this time, the artist is commissioned to prepare work for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States in April 2008.

“He is selected to create a setting for a Mass at the Washington Nationals Stadium” on April 17, said Rebeca Carver, Holy Redeemer’s office manager. The artist is also involved in the design for the Pontifical Mass at Yankee Stadium April 20.

“I have been working for Holy Redeemer since 1985, and I have been involved in the artistic features here from the start,” said Carver. “We have organized fundraising campaigns to pay for the costs. We even chose the mountains and went to the quarry to see the materials we wanted.”

Designer Raymundo Guagnelli of Puebla, Mexico created this sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

JASON COLLINS | FC

Designer Raymundo Guagnelli of Puebla, Mexico, has also created several church pieces for Holy Redeemer, such as a sculpture of Our Lady of Guadalupe carved of aurora marble, a pink and white stone.

The church is working on one last project before an anniversary celebration this year with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito in November.

“It is called the Sacred Heart Chapel,” said longtime parishioner Sharon Campbell about the parish’s initiative, which is part of the parish’s silver anniversary year. “It is a beautiful idea. We have so many prayer groups that need areas for their gatherings. The parish continues to grow.”

A short history

Holy Redeemer was established by Miami Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy in 1983. Father Bernard Powell, who retired in 2000 and now resides in Massachusetts, is founding pastor. Initially, the parish consisted of 77 families, and worshippers celebrated Mass outdoors on the grounds, as well as at Chapman School of Seamanship and other public places in town. One year after the parish’s establishment, the faith community became part of the new Diocese of Palm Beach.

There are 1,920 registered families under the guidance of Father Martin Mulqueen, pastor since Oct. 2000. The parish has a full range of ministries and activities, 575 children attending religion classes and 70 volunteer teachers and aides. Holy Redeemer will celebrate a 25-year anniversary Nov. 16. Mass will be officiated by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. “At that time, the Sacred Heart Blessed Sacrament chapel will be dedicated,” said Carver about the church’s new chapel, currently under construction. “We extend an invitation to everyone to come to the celebration and visit our beautiful church,” said Carver.

 

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