WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 31, NO. 1 JULY 3, 2009
An over-capacity crowd spilled out into the courtyard of the new St. Michael the Archangel Church in Leawood for the dedication ceremony on June 13.
Curt Koutelas, Architectural Building Committee chair, hands over the plans for the new church to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.
Archbishop Naumann blesses St. Michael the Archangel Church with holy water with the assistance of server Joe Rolleston and Father Bill Porter, pastor.
THE ARCHANGEL HAS LANDED Story by
JILL RAGAR ESFELD Photos by
SUSAN McSPADDEN EAWOOD — Parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel here experienced a taste of heaven on the feast of Corpus Christi when they gathered for the dedication of their new church. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who celebrated the Saturday evening Mass, noted the appropriateness of the feast day. “This space will be particularly dedicated to the celebration of the Eucharist,” he said. The event culminated a process that began weeks earlier when St. Michael hosted an evening to educate parishioners in the dedication rite and their new church. “We invited all parishioners,” said Denise Ogilvie, director of Christian education and liturgy. “We did a little bit of education about the liturgy itself and talked about the things we’re taking from our old church into the new church.” Some particular treasures that made the move are the sacred relics of Blessed Miguel Augustín Pro and Sts. John de Brébeuf, Gabriel Lalemant and Charles Garnier, procured for the church by Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher. On the night before the dedication, founding pastor Father Bill Porter led parishioners in evening prayer. Volunteers then kept vigil with the relics until the dedication Mass began. As the beginning of the dedication Mass drew near, the congregation gathered in the courtyard outside the roped-off entrance to the new church. No one had yet been allowed even a glimpse of the church interior. The archbishop greeted parishioners saying, “This is a day of rejoicing!” The church plans and key were then presented by Father Porter to Archbishop Naumann, who was invited to “open the doors of the new St. Michael Church.” A round of applause erupted as parishioners, led by the Knights of Columbus, entered the church, where they were greeted by the archbishop, Father Porter, and associate pastor Father Joseph Mandagiri. The new nearly $16 million church, which seats 1,200, was designed by David Meleca and has been noted for its traditional architecture. Columns direct a progression from the courtyard into the church, becoming more ornate as they approach the sanctuary.
L Archbishop Naumann called it “a day of rejoicing” at St. Michael the Archangel. Behind the archbishop is a 25-foot-high mural depicting Christ reigning from his throne in heaven with St. Michael and 13 American saints.
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