A Few More Important Items....

Here are some things that we find within the church that it might be helpful to know a little more about.
Father Henry graciously provided me with more information.

The Tabernacle-
The Tabernacle in our church is behind the altar. Tabernacle is Latin for "Small Inn" where the Blessed Sacrament is stored.

The sanctuary lamp will burn at all times signifying that Christ is present.

The Altar- This is the Altar of Sacrifice. We are blessed to have such a beautiful altar in our Church!
Read HERE for some very interesting information about The Altar in The Church.

The Pulpit -
   The podium on the left side of the church as you face the Altar (the "Gospel side"), from where the Gospel is read (and which is reserved for clergy).   Not all churches have both a lectern (see below) and a pulpit; some just have one single speaker's podium called an ambo. Note that the Gospel side of the church is also informally referred to as the "Mary side" of the church, because it is there a statue of her is often placed.

 
         

The Presidential Chair- This is reserved for the Bishop, but it is usually occupied by the priest.

The Nave and the Sanctuary- Represent the throne of God and the communion of Saints. Our floor plan is a bit different, but the main point is that all within the Nave are directed to the Throne of God in the Sanctuary.

The linens that are on the altar are:

The Altar Cloth- 
 The use of altar-cloths goes back to the early centuries of the Church. St. Optatus of Mileve says that in the fourth century every Christian knew that during the celebration of the Mysteries the altar is covered with a cloth (bk. VI). Later it became a law, which, according to Gavantus, was promulgated by Boniface III in the seventh century. The custom of using three altar-cloths began probably in the ninth century, but at present it is of strict obligation for the licit celebration of Mass (Rubr. Gen. Miss., tit. xx: De Defectibus, tit. x, 1). The reason of this prescription of the Church is that if the Precious Blood should by accident be spilt it might be absorbed by the altar-cloths before it reached the altar-stone.

The Corporal- Represents the shroud, Swaddling Clothes
The Blessed Sacrament always rests on the corporal. The Corporal (from the Latin corpus, "body") is a square white linen cloth, now usually somewhat smaller than the breadth of an altar, upon which the chalice and paten, and also the ciborium containing the smaller hosts for the Communion of the laity, are placed during the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass).

 
 Purificator-
A small piece of white linen, marked with a cross in the center, used by the priest in the celebration of Mass. It is folded in three layers and used by the priest to purify his fingers and the chalice and paten after Holy Communion.

Pall- 
A square of cardboard that goes on top of the chalice, to keep out foreign matter.
           

 Chalice-

Used to hold the wine consecrated at Mass. During the Roman empire, the chalice was the cup of the household and was often made of precious metal and Gemstones.

It must be consecrated and may not be handled by anyone except the priest himself unless special permission is given by him to religious brothers and others qualified to tend to the sacristy. It must either be made of gold or silver with a gold plated interior.

           

 Paten- 
 The paten is used to carry the hosts. In ancient times the paten held the bread offerings collected from the faithful.

It must be gold or gold plated and shallow. It may be engraved on the outside but must be perfectly smooth on the inside.

Ciborium-

Ciborium means "food container" in Latin. It is where the consecrated hosts are kept in the tabernacle. 

  

The Cruets-The small bottles used to hold the water or wine.