St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Faith Community

Walking Tour

Welcome to St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Community and our new worship space

Mission Statement

“We are St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Community, witnessing the Good

News. We will strive through word and action to welcome, to pray, to teach, to

serve, to share, to heal – reflecting Christ to the total community.”

A Walking Tour of the Church

As you approach the site the bell tower guides you to the building, the cross standing as a symbol of our Christianity. As you approach the canopy you pass a vessel for fire, constructed of copper, limestone and concrete block, where the community will gather to celebrate the Easter Vigil and the lighting of the new fire.

2. Gathering Space (Narthex)Entering through the main doors you pass through the entrance into the narthex, a place for gathering and Christian hospitality. This area can also be made available for wakes and as a gathering space for other liturgical events. Speakers connect the narthex and the worship area and the glass entry doors allow visibility. A door to the right leads into the “Children’s Chapel” (3), where comfortable chairs are available for rocking fussy babies or tired toddlers.

To the left is the “Celebration Chapel” (4). The altar from our former church has been refinished and placed in this chapel for weekday Masses and other celebrations better suited to this smaller space. We have also brought the Last Supper carving here from our former church. Refurbished and restored, it now forms the central focus of a shrine area.

A statue of St. Mary Magdalene (5), our patron, sculpted by artist Suzanne Young of Oakland Township, Mich., stands near the doorway into the worship area greeting worshipers as they enter the worship space.

6. The Baptismal Font

Upon entering the church you encounter the font. Its octagonal shape symbolizes the eighth day, the day of resurrection, reminding us that in baptism we die to sin and rise to new life in Christ. The round upper bowl reminds us of the womb, for it is here in the waters of Baptism that we are reborn. The cross inlay in the tile floor of the font reminds us of our commitment to the cross of Christ. Each time we enter we use water from the font to mark ourselves with the Sign of the Cross.

7. Paschal Candle…

The Paschal Candle – “light of Christ” – is generally placed near the font and is lit for baptisms. During the Easter season and for funerals it may be located nearer the altar. The paschal candle stand, like the processional and freestanding candle stands, is made of red oak and designed to reflect the lines of the sanctuary furniture.

The Assembly Space…

The seating allows us to focus on our central altar table and ambo, while still being able to see one another, thus reminding us of the presence of Christ in the assembly. Seating includes single, double and triple configurations. The floor is flat to allow for maximum flexibility. Movable platform pieces for altar, ambo and presider’s chair are designed to enhance visibility while still allowing for flexible seating arrangements. Ramping is designed to allow a barrier free environment in the church so that all may worship and minister here. At present, seating is arranged for 600 with additional seating in the Celebration Chapel for smaller liturgical events.

The choir and cantor area (9) are a part of the assembly seating, but arranged to allow for musical leadership. The organ from our former church is located here,

along with a new grand piano. Storage and workrooms (10) are located behind the back walls.

11. The Altar…From the font area, the central aisle leads to the altar. This simple but noble altar is fashioned from red oak. Carved leaves encircle the altar, a symbol that is repeated throughout the worship space.

12. The Ambo…

The ambo (lectern) is also encircled with leaves, linking the Table of the Word with the Table of the Lord as the twofold expression of ritual that is contained in our Sunday worship. The top of the ambo adjusts to accommodate children and allow for wheelchair accessibility.

13. The Presider’s Chair…

The presider’s chair is similar in design to the altar and is also made of red oak.

14. Cross…

Our celebration cross has two components, a simple crucifix which is carried in procession and a stationary cross into which it is placed, thus creating a complete image. The stationary cross is made of red oak with inlaid squares of purple heart wood to reflect colors and materials used elsewhere in the space. The body of Jesus, carved from a lighter wood, offers an expression of the crucified one.

15. Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Tabernacle…

Beyond the altar is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, offering a place for private prayer. It includes seating and kneelers. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel anchors the bell tower, a visible reminder to passers by that this is sacred ground. The tabernacle was brought over from our former church and has been refurbished to bring it back to its original beauty. The tower in which it is housed is made of red oak wood and, again, encircled with leaves reflecting the Tree of Judah and the Tree of Christ, through which you pass when entering the space. The design of the chapel is enhanced by the natural wood ceiling, which almost seems to float above the tabernacle.

16. Trees…

On either side of the entryway into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel two trees frame the opening. They are carved of basswood and were designed and constructed by Michigan artist, Michael R. Kapitan. Part of, and coming out from, each tree are human figures representing our ancestors in faith.

On the left is the Tree of Judah. Abraham and Sarah stand at its base. Above and beyond them rise Moses, David, Ruth, Isaiah and, at the top and pointing to the Tree of Christ, John the Baptist.

Tree of Judah

On the right, the Tree of Christ depicts major figures in Christian history. This tree has at its base Peter and Paul. Moving forward through history we see St. Isadore the Farmer, Bishop Oscar Romero, Dorothy Day, Pope John XXIII and, looking out at us as though to hand on to us what has gone before, Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Tree of Christ

Shrines

The seating area is surrounded by an ambulatory (17). Off the ambulatory on either side of the nave are four shrine areas. On the right are the shrines of Mary (18) and Joseph (19). These statues were brought over from our former church and have been refurbished to bring out their beautiful detail and color. They are embraced within ivy enclosures, a living reminder of our vine and branches theme.

On the left side are the shrines of St. Francis of Assisi (20) and St. Katharine Drexel (21). These statues were carved by Jerzy Kenar, a well-known Polish artist now residing in Chicago, Illinois.

St. Francis is depicted sitting. Open space on the bench beside him invites you to sit and rest awhile. Outside the window a flock of sparrows hovers, as though looking in over the saint’s shoulder. Beyond, a path winds its way out to a table set under the trees.

St. Katharine Drexel founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a community of women whose special concern is service to Native Americans and African Americans. Mother Katharine and her sisters founded and staffed schools in 16 states, including one in New Orleans that grew into Xavier University.

22. Dedication Candles…

Wrought iron candleholders on the twelve pillars surrounding the nave mark the places where the church was anointed with holy oil at our church’s dedication. These special candles will be lit again each year on the anniversary of our dedication.

23. Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross were rebronzed and brought over from our former church. New bases were constructed for them, similar to the bases of the dedication candles and designed to convey the feeling of vine and branches.

24. Reconciliation Chapel…To the right of the font is the Reconciliation Chapel, located in the base of the smaller tower. A red oak screen allows for confession in the traditional manner or, if the penitent prefers, space is provided for face-to-face celebration of the sacrament. A stained glass window introduces color and light into the space.

May all who enter here share in the love of our

communityThank you for taking the tour

and May God Bless You