No problem, Chris--the story of my life. Everybody calls me Sam, so that's easy to remember and spell. I was named after my dad, (Samuel) and it wasn't until I lived in Saudi Arabia that I learned my name is actually Arabic! It means dark-skinned woman, which is hilarious because I'm 6' tall and have red hair and very fair skin!

You know, when I say traditional church design, I don't mean fancy. I was married at St. Thomas Aquinas church in Indianapolis, which my father described as resembling a silo. Very plain, austere church with a negative space cross that looked like something Mark Rothko would paint. But the tabernacle was smack dab in the center, and that was a constant reminder of Our Lord's presence. So we can have a modern design but with a traditional bent, I do believe. And some modern architecture is more expensive to build than traditional.

I had the privilege of spending 6 weeks last summer in Guanajuato, Mexico, where I was trying to learn Spanish. (Mi espanol is muy mal porque tengo no mas opportunidad por practicar!) I had asked to be placed with a family that was active with the church, and ended up on a first name basis with two of the padres and several of the church members. The church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato is relatively new to Guanajuato--it's only 312 years old, but it's home to the oldest piece of Christian art in Mexico. After Vatican II the only thing they did was update the liturgy and remove the altar rail. I have never felt so at home in a church as I did in Guanajuato, and at Christmas my husband and I returned there and based on that experience he has decided to become Catholic. But it's not the building, it's the community that is so welcoming.

I remember after Vatican II many churches stripped out all the old decorations and did new, austere decorations, but the community wasn't there, and many people were put off by the modernism. I guess my concern about a "traditional" design is that we need to have a church that encourages community while still paying homage to the history and traditions of the church. St. Tom's in Indianapolis was actually an ugly building but a beautiful community. La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato has lots of fancy artwork, but it's the community that welcomes everyone and makes you feel whole. And I'm old school--I like the tabernacle out front and center where you can see it. I even got into the habit of making the sign of the cross whenever passing an open church door, because the Blessed Sacrament is almost always on display in Mexican churches (which are open 24/7) and they always genuflect or make the sign of the cross when passing by.

Sorry -- it's Samra, not Sandra. My eyes....

Back to the discussion of the new building....
Please, please, do not throw out the baby with the bathwater as the Protestants have done and as too many Catholics have done since Vatican II. If people do not understand why sonething is done, or why something is included in the building, we need to teach about it, not just get rid of it! Our tradition is so very rich and full of important meaning, and worth keeping.

To Sandra - welcome to St Mark from another newcomer (November). I joined CSS right away and have been so glad I did.

I'll put Wednesday nights on my calendar. I could use a little Wisdom! ;-)

Hi Samra. You can jump in anytime, even in the middle of the year if you need to. Next year, we'll be doing the Wisdom books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Wisdom,and Sirach) and all of the New Testament letters. See you there !

Thanks Jim. So I take it this is something you can jump into at any time? I don't have to wait to cycle back to Genesis? Where will you be picking up in September?

Hi Samra,

Welcome to St. Mark ! We have just what you're looking for. Catholic Scripture Study is a program that goes through the whole Bible in 5 years.
We just finished our 3rd year last week, and we have about 70 people that attend the weekly classes. Classes are 2 hours, consisting of a 75 minute small group discussion time followed by a 45 minute presentation. The same class is offered on Monday mornings from 9AM-11AM, and Wednesday evenings from 7PM to 9PM.

As the name implies, we learn the bible from a Catholic perspective. We'll start again right after Labor Day. There'll be announcements, but if you have any quiestions, call me @ 214-552-8935. We'll save you a seat ! Again, welcome to St. Mark !

Jim Hawk

Edited by author 04-20-2009 02:26 PM
Hi--I'm new to the parish and just starting to get acquainted. I see we may be building a new church. While I'm spoiled by being able to pretty much fall out of bed (in Southridge) and get to Mass, I think it's exciting to be able to plan a new facility for the community. I hope it is a traditional design (with the Tabernacle prominently front and center) and I hope we can incorporate native plants in the landscape--they are low maintenance and low water and will save us money in the long run as well as attract birds and butterflies that will enhance enjoyment of the property.

On a more short-term discussion, I'm looking for a Bible study group that can meet in the evening. I'm interested in the course through the University of Dallas, but was hoping St. Marks had a group that could meet regularly and informally to discuss scripture. One flaw I see in my Catholic upbringing is that The Bible wasn't emphasized--the Catechism and dogma definitely was, but understanding scripture just didn't seem to be emphasized. This was brought home to me at my high school reunion (I went to public school in Kentucky) when I met the husband of an old friend. He's a Baptist minister and was shocked to learn that we Catholics do read the Bible--he'd been taught that we do not. It made me wish for the kind of regular Bible study groups the Protestants have. However, I want the Catholic perspective on The Bible. Thanks...Sam

Well it appears that we are fortunate to be able to discuss the future building plans of St. Marks. In reviewing church history with my son who is an architectural student, i have come to learn that the reason why Catholic Church's were built in the form and structure they were (prior to Vatican II) was because Christ said when entering Jerusalem He was confronted by the leaders demanding that He stop the crowd from crying out "Hosanna" Christ response back to the leaders was that if the people do not cry out then these rocks certainly will. As i understand my son's research, the design for the building is suppose to cry out even when their is no Mass going on. So i do hope that if Fr Tim decides to build that or building cry's out "Hosanna" even when it is empty.

Fr Tim. please expand on your comments from 1/5/09 "Obviously what one person sees as tradition is not necessarily what another sees. And, of course, we are called to incorporate the modern as well as the tradition. Gothic cathedrals were an innovation in their day." Are there Diocesan guidelines/documentation we can access that addresses this issue of “traditional” versus “modernistic “ architectural church design ? I would expect a continuing dialogue with parishioners with various points of views regarding the future look and feel of our church.

Thanks for the kind words, Jaye and Bea. I thought I had said too much, for being so new. I tried to modify it, still did not like it, so removed them. I have not left for good!

Edited by author 04-02-2009 03:17 PM
I have kept silent for quite awhile, listened and observed, and I may be out of turn here; however, I am now wishing to ask a few questions and this seems to be the logical place to do it. It will reach many more people rather than just the one person I may question. It is a concern of mine that St. Mark has not gone forward with any building plans although the property has been secured. It may be that there has been some progress; but to my knowledge, the last known public announcement was in 2006 with an update in February 2007, and an “update” from Fr. Tim on March 25, 2009 (which mentioned a meeting with the architect on the 27th of March). I researched the St. Mark website and saw that there are currently nine members on the building committee – some are original members from 2002, I believe. My questions are thus:
1. How often are building committee meetings held? Are they publicized?
2. Are the meetings open to any parishioner to observe, join in, and participate?
3. Why are we, the parishioners, not kept apprised of any changes or at least updated yearly?
4. Is the building committee open to welcoming new members? Especially as there are many new parishioners who have joined since 2002 and I anticipate will be joining once we do make our move!
To be honest, I am being selfish when I say that I would have loved for St. Mark to have stayed in its current location. Although the inconvenience of arriving and leaving the parking lot is but a small sacrifice I can endure each week, I understand that there is also a lack of space for classrooms, large group gatherings when meals are served, etc. The current location is convenient for me as well as for many others, I am sure; but, I understand that as growth occurs, change is inevitable, and progress (changes) must occur. I am looking forward to gathering and participating at Mass whenever the new church is built. I am only too happy to have a “church” (a roof over my head) to go to each week, regardless of what it looks like, and a priest to celebrate Mass!

Cris,
I was thinking the same thing. You have a lot of good things to say! Come back...
Jaye