FORT PIERCE | At St. Anastasia Parish Jan. 16, 2024, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito congratulated parishioners and remarked on the beautiful works of art “which depict our faith and the deepness that we have in our faith” during a celebration to consecrate its renovated church in Fort Pierce.
Father Rick George, pastor of St. Anastasia, welcomed the bishop along with other diocesan representatives, including Father Chuck Notabartolo, vicar general, Archimandrite Glen Pothier, judicial vicar, Father Daniel Daza-Jaller, vocations director, and Michael Lockwood, director of building and construction. Other clergy in attendance included Father Joshua Martin, St. Anastasia parochial vicar, Father Tom Barrett of Holy Cross in Vero Beach, Father Jaime Dorado of San Juan Diego Hispanic Pastoral Center and Father Yves Geffrard of Notre Dame Mission.
Father George welcomed Bishop Barbarito and thanked the “living stones of the parish” who have supported and loved St. Anastasia for 115 years. “They are an inspiration and the foundation in which this parish is still able to shine with the light of Christ, who is and will always be our cornerstone,” he said.
In particular, he expressed appreciation for Jacquin Construction, general contractor for the renovation project, along with Conrad Schmidt Studios, creator of the hand-painted murals in the church sanctuary; local artist Georgeta Fondos, whose Marian works are in the church foyer; New Holland Church Furniture, makers of the new curved pews, altar, altar railing and other items; new statues of St. Anastasia, St. John Vianney and St. Michael the Archangel by Fiat Imports with the help of Darlene Francis; architect Joe Colome; and parish and school staff and volunteers.
The project also included a new audio/visual system, tile and carpeting, St. Joseph stained-glass window, ceiling medallions, refurbished Stations of the Cross and other alterations.
“Our church renovation project was truly a team effort with no weak links,” Father George said. “Thank you all for bringing to light a vision that will last for generations to come. I can honestly say this whole process, from start to finish, was led and directed by the Lord’s hand. And, I might add, it finished on time.”
As part of the dedication ceremonies, chrism oil was used to sanctify the new altar and building, holy water was sprinkled and incense was spread throughout the church, which was darkened until candles were lit and full lighting was turned on. A relic of St. Frances of Rome was installed under the altar.
During his homily, Bishop Barbarito spoke about the murals that depict significant aspects of Christian belief. The central mural represents the Trinity, showing the Father holding up his Son on the cross, while the Holy Spirit hovers above. The artwork is known by two different names, he said: “Throne of Mercy” and “The Passion of the Father.”
“This depiction reminds us that it is not only Jesus who undergoes a passion. It’s the Father who undergoes a passion by giving freely to us his Son,” the bishop said. “To reflect upon the parent giving the life of a child for someone out of love is incredible. And that’s exactly what God did for us. God gave us that who was closest to him, that person closest to him, his Son, in order that we might have life.
“When we come and celebrate the Eucharist, we come together not simply recalling what happened 2,000 years ago, but entering into the very life of God himself in the awesome mystery of the Trinity, where God gives us himself, where God reminds us that he loves us so much that nothing — absolutely nothing — no sacrifice stands in the way of God in giving us of himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” he said.
To the right of the Trinity mural is an illustration of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and other disciples, marking the beginning of the church’s mission. In the center of the mural is the Virgin Mary.
“It was Mary who kept that band of apostles together and handed on to them what she treasured in her heart, which was her relationship with the Lord and his relationship with us,” Bishop Barbarito said. “And it is Mary who is the model for us, the perfect Christian, the perfect person, the perfect woman.”
The bishop concluded by saying, “May St. Anastasia, this beautiful, renovated church with such wonderful works of art reminding us of our faith, continue to give us the hope, not only during this Year of Hope, but every year, of what the meaning of life is all about and the passion of the Father, the life of the Trinity.”
At the end of the Mass, Father George again thanked the bishop and Father Brian King, episcopal secretary, for their support, along with cantor and music director Kristin Jones, organist Steve Brownell and their student choir.
“Tonight is not a celebration of the end of a project,” Father George said. “Rather, it is the start of new beginnings, a bridge for the lost, the brokenhearted and the hungry. A place of encounter, where any person can find hope, peace and healing, forgiveness, spiritual nourishment and opportunity to begin again.”
For more information about St. Anastasia Parish or School, visit https://stanastasiachurch.org/ or follow on social media. To watch the recorded Mass of consecration, go to www.facebook.com/stanastasiachurch/videos/637355355623327.
