Friday, January 22, 2010

ST. MARYS DEANERY — The Missionaries of the Precious Blood, along with their lay associates, Precious Blood Sisters and friends of the congregation, celebrated the dedication of a new altar in the Chapel of the Assumption at St. Charles Center in Carthagena Jan. 3.

The Missionaries of the Precious Blood were joined by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr in celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving and dedication of the new altar at St. Charles Center. (CT/E.L. Hubbard)

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr presided at the liturgy and anointed the new altar, which was one of several improvements to the chapel made in the past year. The congregation is now enjoying better acoustics and lighting in the 100-year-old chapel, as well as new paint, restrooms and a ramp that makes the sanctuary accessible to all.

At the Mass of Thanksgiving and the dinner that followed, the Missionaries also celebrated meeting a $1.5 million matching gift that was an important part of their Missionary Hearts comprehensive fundraising campaign. Thanks to the support of the congregation’s benefactors, the match was met by the Dec. 31, 2009 deadline.