Homilies and Addresses 2007
Mass for the Dedication of the New Altar at St Joseph's Church

Celebrated By Archbishop Denis Hart
at St Joseph's Church, Malvern
on Saturday, 17th February, 2007 at 6.00pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am delighted to be with Father Brian O’Sullivan and each of you as we dedicate the new altar in Saint Joseph’s Church.

This church has always been a place of faith and beauty and the renewal of the interior of the church and the construction of the beautiful altar reminds us of the presence and love of God among his people.

As we bless this water, let us remember that we are the people of God coming to our holy place where we celebrate the sacrifice, where Christ is permanently present, taken to the sick, and with us for adoration, as our God who is ever near to his people.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Saint Joseph’s church is set apart as a place of wonder and the house of God.  The dedication of the altar in this church, which for many years has been a sacred place, is highly significant.  This is so because at the altar the sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs.  It is also the table of the Lord and the people of God are called together to share in it.  The altar is as well the centre of thanksgiving that the Eucharist accomplishes.

The altar is of its nature dedicated to the one God because the Eucharistic Sacrifice is offered to him.  It becomes sacred by the celebration of the Eucharist and it is by participating in and rightly understanding what takes place tonight that we will be imbued with the love and respect that is owed to the altar.

Mass has already begun with the sprinkling of the people, reminding us that we are the people of God gathered to worship him with fitting praise.  Immediately after this homily we will profess our faith with constancy and love, reaching out to the ever-living God.  After invoking all of the saints in the Litany we pray that the altar may be the place where the mysteries of redemption are achieved.

The ancient tradition of the Church arose from the celebration of Mass in the catacombs on the tombs of the martyrs and sometimes relics are placed beneath the altar, because it is in the united tradition of love and service of God that we approach Christ, who is the one true altar.

The long prayer of dedication highlights this point, that just as Jesus offered himself on the altar of the Cross, so he is the one, true altar effective for the praise of his Father and the forgiveness of our sins.  What Noah and Abraham did in the Old Testament Christ has fulfilled when he went to the cross. 

The prayer also highlights that the altar is always reserved only for the sacrifice of Christ and is no ordinary table, as the place where people find nourishment and strength.  It is the sign of Christ’s suffering from whose pierced side flowed blood and water, which ushered in the Sacraments.  It is a table of joy where the friends of Christ come to bring their burdens and cares to him.  It is a place of communion and peace, unity and friendship, the centre of our praise and thanksgiving until we meet in eternity with Christ our High Priest.

Because as we are holy and anointed in Baptism and Confirmation, so this altar is anointed with chrism as a visible sign of the mystery with Christ.  It is honoured with incense and the altar is clothed and the candles are lit and placed upon it.

Again and again throughout this Mass we come to the power of Christ’s activity as priest and victim on the altar of the cross.  We are to be drawn to this altar of sacrifice as with a magnet, to be one with him, to be nourished by him, to know that this place set apart for sacrifice and the permanent presence of God in the Blessed Sacrament is always a place of silence and prayer.

May I pay tribute to all that has been achieved here at Saint Joseph’s over so many years.  I value very highly the work of the Vincentian Fathers and their priestly care of this parish.  May this continue for many years to come.

I recognise especially the long tradition of faith and love in this parish and encourage you in your faithfulness to Jesus Christ, your unity with Pope Benedict and with your Archbishop and with all God’s people to continue the journey, which has begun so well. 

I congratulate you, your parish priest, your builder, and all who have shared so much in the preparation of the parish for this day.  May the Lord bless you and may the light of the Holy Spirit fill your hearts and kindle in them the fire of constant love and zeal to spread the Gospel.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.