Bethpage-Tribune_1994-11-11

              Bethn^-
YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Serving Bethpage, Island Trees, Plainedge, Seaford, Old Bethpage & Plainview
VOL. 27 NO. 45 NOVEMBER 11-17, 1994 25 CENTS
SPREADING THEIR WINGS
If you take a stroll through
downtown Bethpage, you surely
have noticed the "New Look", if
you will, of our town. The Beth­page
Public Library is taking
shape and looking wonderful and
our down town stores new facade
complete with antique street lights
is breathtaking. Soon we will have
our S2 Golden Age Zone adding
to this Bethpage Renaissance and
we are proud to announce that St.
Martin of Tours/Church is also
planning a renovation that will
totally redo the/ existing church.
This will include the expansion of.
three sides of the church and a
new Sanctuary Sacristy, Blessed
Sacrament Chapel and Church
Proper. The cost of the project is
$1,600,000.
St. Martin of Tours Church will
be expanded on three sides—the
east, the west, and the north—to
provide greater seating capacity
for its parishioners. The renova­tion
will also enhance the beauty
of the Church while preserving its
original architectural integrity. All
work will be done in accordance
with the Church's liturgical norms
and will provide an atmosphere
appropriate for both public and
private devotions.
The proposed renovation of the
parish church will encompass the
following:
The Sanctuary
A raised Sanctuary Platform, two
steps up, will be extended out
toward the pews with a new Altar
positioned in the view of all par­ishioners.
This construction will
help foster a deeper awareness
among people that they are not
mere spectators but are active
participants with the priest
presiding.
A new Celebrant's Chair will be
stationed behind the Altar and will
be visible to the whole congrega­tion.
The new Processional Cross
and Candles will be nearby. Also,
a new Credence Table will be
located to the side of the Altar.
With the8 Second Vatican Coun­cil's
greater emphasis on the
Liturgy of the Word, a new Pulpit,
appropriately adorned, will be
given a prominent position in the
Sanctuary.
A Crucifix will be affixed to a
newly constructed Reredos (the
wall behind the Altar). The wood
grill work in the Reredos will
provide us with a view of the new
Tabernacle, which will be relo­cated
to the new Blessed Sacra­ment
Chapel.
To enhance the special role of
our Church musicians and sin­gers,
a Choir Area will be created
adjacent to the Sanctuary floor.
Plans include a new Baby Grand
Piano, a new Leader of Song
Stand, new Choir Chairs, and the
relocation of the Organ to this
area.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
To provide an area for the
private adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament Reserved, a new
Chapel, suitably appointed and
lighted, will be constructed. The
Tabernacle will be repositioned on
a new Pedestal and Stand. New
Kneelers will also be installed for
devotions.
The Sacristy
In order to provide the cele­brants
and other ministers a
proper place to prepare for sacred
celebrations, a new Sacristy will
be constructed by the Central
Avenue entrance. New Vestments
will be purchased to symbolize the
renewal of the Church and pari­shioners
as a community.
The Church Proper
The renovated Church will have
a seating capacity for approxi­mately
700 parishioners; an
increase of 300. New Pews and'
Kneelers be installed to accommo­date
this expanded capacity. The
existing pews and kneelers will
also be restored.
A new Baptismal Font will be
placed at the edge of the
sanctuary.
Two devotional shrines will be
erected to provide suitable areas
for the veneration. A St. Martin of*
Tours Shrine will be established
with a commissioned statue of its
patron saint. The existing statues
of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St.
Joseph will form the Holy Family
Shrine. Each shrine area will have
new Votive Candles.
Two new Reconciliation Rooms
will be constructed. Each confes­sional
will be soundproof to assure
privacy.
New Stations of the Cross,
complimentary of the architectu­ral
style of the Church, will be
affixed to the walls. The existing
Stained Glass Windows will be
restored and reused in the Church.
A new audio Sound System will
be introduced to assure that the
Sacred Scriptures and the prayers
of the Liturgy are heard. The
current lighting system will also be
enhanced.
To represent the self-giving of
the parishioners, a new Offertory
Table will be situated for the
Presentation of the Gifts. New
Holy Water Fonts will be placed
at all of the entrances.
A Gathering Area, of comforta­ble
proportion, will be created at
the Seaman Avenue entrance.
Underneath this Gathering Area,
a new Basement room will be
excavated and will provide us with
additional meeting space. The
Central Avenue entrance will be
renovated to provide additional
gathering space.
To assure that all parishioners
have access to our Church, a
Ramp will be added for wheel­chairs
and those who find steps
difficult.
For parishioner comfort, Air
Conditioning will be installed and
the heating system will be
enhanced to increase efficiency.
Bathroom facilities will also be
constructed.
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