Originally a pagan temple dedicated to 'all the gods', the Church of Santa Maria Rotonda or Santa Maria ad Martyres was dedicated in 609 A.D. It has been a Catholic church for over 1,400 years. On Pentecost Sunday parishioners drop rose petals through the 27-foot ocular opening above (see the video below). Kings and queens are entombed there, as is the great artist Raphael. Go here, here, and here for more fascinating information on the history of this sacred structure. For another view, watch this, too.
Not sue why on this blog for info about asp and concerns of the same there are so many entries on things that I cannot find a connection with ASP concerns . But where do I put this concern: I heard today that IHM has been sold to Dunkin Donuts so if true why has not the administrator or financial or facilities committee let the congregation know?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, 5:56.
ReplyDeleteSometimes one has to post about the larger world, just for the sake of sanity. :-) And even though St. Patrick's, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Mary's, and St. Vincent's are not as physically wondrous as Santa Maria Rotonda, they were/are also sacred structures.
Numerous people have heard that rumor about IHM being sold to a national donut chain, or to a national drug store, or to one or more Christian sects in town.
The parishioners are usually the last to know about these things, so these rumors abound. Most unfortunate, as it fosters distrust and division and adds to the confusion already evident over the last several years.
It would be tragic indeed to think of Immaculate Heart of Mary suffering the same fate as St. Patrick's; even more so to think that a donut store would replace it.
Gretchen- I love how you post articles and clips that are faith-related. You often remind me of the beauty of the universal Church, which is often lost in the struggles of our local parish.
ReplyDeleteI have a question too. If this sale has gone through, how do you think it will be made known to the All Saints church family members? Will it be in a news article before the parish is informed, or will we be informed as a parish family should, in person as a formal announcement after Mass? Any bets?
ReplyDeleteI remember when we found out about the sale of Saint Vincent's while watching a power point presentation during mass and then learned more in the small group meetings arranged way after the fact. I am hoping that the parish team will notify us more appropriately about IHM after watching and hearing our frustration and disappointment with their previous approach. This is there chance to do better, they are capable. I pray that they will.
ReplyDeleteThank you, 9:00.
ReplyDelete9:13, your guess is as good as any other.
9:42, there may be some canonical procedures governing the announcement of a sale. Does anyone remember how it was handled for St. Patrick's?
leaked out from parish council meetings, then the bulletin I think. I could be wrong but that is what i recall.
ReplyDeleteAnother question, Does anyone remember when parish council meetings became closed to parishioners? We've been approached by parishioners who say that council meetings were always open to everyone and they don't know why or when that changed.
ReplyDeleteCheck with some of the priests....PC meetings must be opened to parishioners...
ReplyDelete