St Stephen Catholic Chapel: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Updated clergy, clarified status. Provided information on liturgical arrangement and art.)
mNo edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
St Stephen Catholic Parish was founded in [[1991]] by [[Frank Muscalino]] as an outgrowth of an existing campus ministry. Initially it primarily served mostly foreign nationals working as graduate researchers or staff at [[UAB Medical Center]].
St Stephen Catholic Parish was founded in [[1991]] by [[Frank Muscalino]] as an outgrowth of an existing campus ministry. Initially it primarily served mostly foreign nationals working as graduate researchers or staff at [[UAB Medical Center]].


When Muscalino was reassigned to [[St. Patrick’s Catholic Church]] in Adamsville in the early 2000s, the parish was joined for two years with [[Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church]] and served by Fathers [[Greg Biitner[[ and [[Bryan Lowe]]. After this its parochial status was removed and it became a chapel of the [[Cathedral of St. Paul]]. From 2018-2021 the chapel was led by Father [[Joshua Altonji]]. In August 2021, Fr. [[Justin Ward]] will become the chapel’s sacramental minister.
When Muscalino was reassigned to [[St. Patrick’s Catholic Church]] in Adamsville in the early 2000s, the parish was joined for two years with [[Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church]] and served by Fathers [[Greg Biitner]] and [[Bryan Lowe]]. After this its parochial status was removed and it became a chapel of the [[Cathedral of St. Paul]]. From 2018-2021 the chapel was led by Father [[Joshua Altonji]]. In August 2021, Fr. [[Justin Ward]] will become the chapel’s sacramental minister.


The chapel is unique among Birmingham Catholic churches, in that the altar is in the middle of church. Initially the congregation sat around the altar on all sides. Also initially there were no kneeler in the church. The congregation stood for all prayers. This reflected the progressive liturgical thought in the Roman Catholic Church in the decades after the Second Vatican Council. Fr. Muscalino also explained it reflected the congregation’s international character, since kneeling was not as common in many countries as it was in the United States. Later after it was merged with the cathedral parish the tabernacle was moved to in front of the organ and kneelers were provided.
The chapel is unique among Birmingham Catholic churches, in that the altar is in the middle of church. Initially the congregation sat around the altar on all sides. Also initially there were no kneelers in the church. The congregation stood for all prayers. This reflected the progressive liturgical thought in the Roman Catholic Church in the decades after the Second Vatican Council. Fr. Muscalino also explained it reflected the congregation’s international character, since kneeling was not as common in many countries as it was in the United States. Later, after it was merged with the cathedral parish, the tabernacle was moved in front of the organ and kneelers were provided.


From the 1990s into the 2010s, a distinctive crucifix known as the “Christ of the Nations” was suspended over the altar. Its four sides depicted Jesus as multiple races.
From the 1990s into the 2010s, a distinctive crucifix known as the “Christ of the Nations” was suspended over the altar. Its four sides depicted Jesus as multiple races.


==References==
==References==
* Hearn, Sidney. (November 18, 2020) [https://magiccityreligion.org/2020/11/18/christ-of-nations-in-st-stephen-the-martyr-catholic-church/ “Christ of the Nations in St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church: Symbol of Faith or Race”] “”Magic City Religion””
* Hearn, Sidney. (November 18, 2020) [https://magiccityreligion.org/2020/11/18/christ-of-nations-in-st-stephen-the-martyr-catholic-church/ “Christ of the Nations in St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church: Symbol of Faith or Race”] ''Magic City Religion''


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 07:50, 8 July 2021

St Stephen the Martyr Catholic Chapel is a Roman Catholic chapel operated by Catholic Family Services and the Diocese of Birmingham at 1515 12th Avenue South adjacent to the campus of UAB.

St Stephen Catholic Parish was founded in 1991 by Frank Muscalino as an outgrowth of an existing campus ministry. Initially it primarily served mostly foreign nationals working as graduate researchers or staff at UAB Medical Center.

When Muscalino was reassigned to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Adamsville in the early 2000s, the parish was joined for two years with Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and served by Fathers Greg Biitner and Bryan Lowe. After this its parochial status was removed and it became a chapel of the Cathedral of St. Paul. From 2018-2021 the chapel was led by Father Joshua Altonji. In August 2021, Fr. Justin Ward will become the chapel’s sacramental minister.

The chapel is unique among Birmingham Catholic churches, in that the altar is in the middle of church. Initially the congregation sat around the altar on all sides. Also initially there were no kneelers in the church. The congregation stood for all prayers. This reflected the progressive liturgical thought in the Roman Catholic Church in the decades after the Second Vatican Council. Fr. Muscalino also explained it reflected the congregation’s international character, since kneeling was not as common in many countries as it was in the United States. Later, after it was merged with the cathedral parish, the tabernacle was moved in front of the organ and kneelers were provided.

From the 1990s into the 2010s, a distinctive crucifix known as the “Christ of the Nations” was suspended over the altar. Its four sides depicted Jesus as multiple races.

References

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=St_Stephen_Catholic_Chapel&oldid=181797"