The Ambo 

At every liturgy we listen to the word of God proclaimed to the assembly from a lectern we call the ambo, a furnishing set aside as the table of the word.  Through listening we come to know of God’s marvelous deeds throughout history.  Like most storytelling, the scriptures help us learn who we are in relationship to God and one another.  From the table of the word we are nourished spiritually just as we are fed at the table of Eucharist with the Body and Blood of Christ.  This relationship of word and Eucharist becomes clearer to us in the placement and design of the “two tables.” 

The ambo, along with the altar and baptismal font, create the primary focal points at worship.  There are different ways to relate them to one another in the body of the church–in design, location or in the use of similar materials used to create them.  The ambo, altar and font can be placed in line with one another, in a triangular formation or in a gathered group occupying the sanctuary space together. 

q       In our renovated church, the ambo, altar and font form a triangle.  

q       The ambo is located in the sanctuary near the altar. 

q       With use of the same fine wood used to modify the altar’s base and using the existing marble, the ambo will resemble the altar of Eucharist. 

q       The same materials will be used in our new baptismal font. 

q       Anyone will be able to proclaim the scriptures from the new ambo created with safe access to accommodate those with disabilities.

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The Gathering Space/Narthex

 The gathering space, or narthex, is the “family room” of the church.  The narthex moves us from the ordinary into the sacred space.  With the new entryway, everyone will enter into the narthex and pass by the baptismal font to the nave.

 As parishioners arrive for Mass they have a place to stop and greet one another in friendship.  This area will allow the community to linger over conversation and refreshments after Mass.  Time to get to know one another better helps to build closeness as it does in our family. The narthex is the area where we can begin to live out our role as members of one family. 

q       The new narthex will allow for chairs to be set up as the need for overflow seating arises at times when larger numbers of people are present.   

q       Speakers in the gathering area will make it possible to hear what is happening in the main body of the worship space.  

q       Seating and an extended sound system will allow parents to use the narthex to soothe fussy children and tend to their needs.   

q       Space will be designated for publicizing parish events and activities so that all can know what is going on in the St. Hubert community. 

 

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The Music Area  

Music assists the prayer of the assembly and heightens the text for a fuller expression that cannot be gained in any other way. The assembly, by its collective singing, encourages each worshipper to sing more enthusiastically.  Music is produced by the assembly as the Body of Christ gathered, the presider as head of the Body and the music ministers as the rehearsed part of the assembly to support, not usurp, its role.  In a worship space music is reinforced by architecture, the materials used in the room and in the use of a sound system.  Hard surfaces reflect sound and tend to reinforce our singing.  Soft surfaces absorb sound and tend to undermine participation.  The assembly’s participation through singing serves to nourish their interior faith and outward expression of praise to God.   

q       The sanctuary platform and pew arrangement improves the assembly’s view of the song leader and each other. 

q       The cantor at the ambo will have a more natural eye contact with the assembly. 

q       Gypsum board used in the nave and porcelain floor tile will better reflect sound. 

q       A new sound system makes use of advanced technology.

q       Assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired are standard in the new system.

 

Speech amplification will be intelligible and natural-sounding.

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The Altar 

The altar is a symbol of Christ present in the midst of the assembly in Catholic worship spaces.  To express the unity in the Eucharistic experience today, there is to be only one, fixed altar in every church.  The appearance of the altar as a table supports the banquet character of the sacrament.  A strong design, worthy materials and its placement in the worship space give evidence of the altar as a primary symbol. 

q       The altar is located in the sanctuary at the same level with the ambo rising three steps from the main floor. 

q       Our present altar will be used in our renovated church. 

q       The base of the altar will be modified using the same materials found in the ambo and font to strengthen its appearance as an altar table. 

q       Access to the altar is inclusive and gracious through the use of a well-designed ramp. 

q       The assembly is brought closer to the altar in our renovated church. 

q       Generous space around the altar allows for processions, receiving the offerings of the assembly and special rites.

 

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 The Assembly Seating 

In building or renovating a house for the church, the seating arrangement must be considered because it serves as language for what we do at Eucharist.  We gather as one and all attempts should be made to make evident our unity and to enrich our experience of the community gathered around the table.  In our renovated church, reducing the number of steps to the altar, moving the first row of benches forward and ending the pews closer into the body of the church bring everyone closer to the liturgical action.  This arrangement of space with moveable seating in some areas, such as around the baptismal font, enables us to arrange ourselves to the particular celebration.  Allowing generous room for aisles and around the perimeter of the worship space is sensitive to anyone with special needs or our occasional need to add chairs to the space.

Though the footprint of the worship space remains cruciform, the “arms” of the cross shape will be softened by opening up the corners to the assembly seating.  The choice of curved pews throughout the church will carry the symbolism of the circle—the eternity of God—and create a greater sense of connectedness.  Many churches are enjoying the aesthetics of radius pews that provide maximum seating in the worship space.   

q       The seating arrangement in the new church is a radial design through the use of curved pews. 

q       The first row of benches will move forward toward the altar; the last row only about two-thirds into the nave . 

q       Moveable seating using chairs will be used in some areas.  

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The Tabernacle 

The tabernacle is for the reservation of the Eucharist that is carried from the assembly’s gathering to the sick and the dying.  It also provides for our private and communal devotion before the Blessed Sacrament at times other than the Sunday liturgy.  The tabernacle will be located in an area visible from anywhere in the worship space.  Designed to be beautiful and conspicuous to all who enter our church, the area for our tabernacle creates a niche near the sanctuary that maintains an appropriate relationship with the altar.  Architectural elements and lighting mark our tabernacle’s importance while properly shifting focus to the liturgical action at the altar during Mass.  This area is also designed as a comfortable setting for those who desire quiet and private prayer. 

q       The tabernacle is located in a niche near the sanctuary and can be viewed from the main body of the church. 

q       The sanctuary lamp and auxiliary lighting will draw worshippers to a beautiful and contemplative location. 

q       A few chairs near the tabernacle can be used to create an intimate place for communal adoration.

 

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