On June 21 at our 5 pm Mass we started our centennial celebration with Mass and a dinner. Bp. Barber was the celebrant. Bp. Larry Silva was one of the concelebrants. Bp. Larry was our pastor from 1991-94.

Priest concelebrating were our pastor Fr. Thuong Nguyen, Fr. Chrisanttus Nakanda, Fr. Joe Tran, Fr. Ray Ogbemure, Fr. Gabriel Wankar, and Fr. ??? Assisting at Mass were Deacons Loch  Sekona and Dok??

Blessing of an altar requires a sprinkling rite as the penitential rite

The readings for this Mass were for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Andy and the choir sang the psalm and sequence. Bp. Barber delivered the homily.

The blessing of the altar starts after the homily. First the litnay of the saints is sung. We are required to include St. John the Baptist and the names of the saints whose relics will be placed in the altar, Sts. Pauline and Fortunati. The bishop then places the relic in the altar and prays the prayer of decidcation. The bishop removes his chasabul and anoints the whole top of the altar with Sacred Chrism. Lastly a brazier is put on the altar, incence is placed in it, and then the altar is insenced as normal.

When the bishop was done, we needed to get the altar ready to use. First two priests wiped the excess Chrism from the top of the altar, then our decorating team put on an altar cloth and brought out flowers. Lastly the adult servers brought out candles. Bp. Barber hand Dcn. Loch a lighted candle to light the altar candles.

Final blessing, dismissal and procession out