Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Peralta, New Mexico, USA

Mass of Rededication
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church
Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan
June 22, 2005

church ready for rededication With our year-long project of repair and renovation complete, our parish was finally ready for the formal rededication of our main parish church and its new furnishings. The principal celebrant for this rededication Mass was the Most Reverend Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe.

This page shows highlights of this celebration. All images shown here were taken from the balcony of the church.

The image to the right shows the front of the church in the minutes before the Mass began. The wood of the rafters and their supports is no longer covered with paint and plaster. The lights previously used in the church have been retained.

processional
The Mass procession is led by members of the Knights of Columbus, with their colorful capes and hats. They are followed by the lay participants, deacons, priests, and the archbishop (with mitre and staff, seen here blessing part of the congregation as he passes them).

blessed with holy water
The altar — and then the congregation — are blessed with holy water by the archbishop.

reading gospel
The gospel is read by Deacon Eddie Espinosa. Deacon Joe Trujillo stands behind him.
Our pastor, Father Albert Gallegos, stands to the right of the archbishop.

addressing the congregation
The archbishop addresses the congregation.

placing of relics
Deacon Joe Trujillo places in the altar relics of three saints:

  • • Saint Anthony Mary Pucci, a Servite minister to the needy who died in the year our church was dedicated;
     
  • • Saint Philip Benizi, a “father of the Servite order” in the 13th century; and
     
  • • Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican order in 1215.

oil
The altar is annointed with chrism oil,

incense
and, with the reredo, is incensed.


celebrants
Principal celebrant Archbishop Michael Sheehan celebrates the Mass,
flanked by pastor Father Albert Gallegos (to the left)
and former pastor Father José Hernandez (to the right).

tabernacle
As the Mass nears its conclusion, the tabernacle holds consecrated hosts.

recessional
The Mass concludes with the recessional of all the featured participants. Included here (from the rear) are the archbishop, the concelebrating priests, the deacons, and the Knights of Columbus


The repair and renovation of our church is complete, and the Mass of Rededication reported here is concluded. Our parish church is now formally back in full operation. With our historic statues and decorations, and with our new reredo (retablo) by parishioner Carlos Otero, our church provides a worthy center for meditation and worship.

We hope and trust that, through this project, our efforts as a community have provided well for our descendants.

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Last updated July 7, 2005