Nothing keeping us from worshipping in Abita Springs

You probably think this post is about something else; in fact I am referring to the now over 2 week adventure away from our beautiful, historical almost 100 year old church building that is named for St. Jane de Chantal.  After a beautifully restored and freshly painted sanctuary the renovations have moved on the pews and the floors.  For several weeks we simply worshipped in the beautiful church with folding chairs.  But then the floor work had to start.  The church has beautiful old wooden floors that have been covered up over the years; not one but two layers of linoleum covered over by carpet.  And somewhere in all that stuff is asbestos.  So after several weeks of careful and professional asbestos remediation, time to fully restore those soon to be beautiful again hardwoods.  Then of course we reinstall the pews and the church will be exceptionally beautiful.  After two Sundays out of the church, we may face a few more, but it will all be worth it.

So where do we worship, how do we worship.  Well for the most part we have set up a beautiful worship space in our St. Jane Hall, again folding chairs for the worshippers.  We also have a smaller set up in St. Joseph Hall for our 10 am Mass which is always the biggest attendance.  Then we always have the awesome opportunity to drive out to Bush and our mission St. Michael Church for the regular 4 pm Mass every Saturday afternoon.  Of course St, Michaels is about 18 miles from St. Janes but many of our parishioners live closer.

Bottom line is two weekends and many weekdays down we have worshipped in our temporary digs.  Now I'm sure we have more than a few folks opting perhaps to worship at a neighboring church.  But for the most part our folks have remained faithful.

The finished product is hopefully not to far away.  In the meantime we focus on what is important.  Church is where Jesus is and He is definitely present with us in our two parish halls and at St. Michaels.  And soon He will be back in that beautifully restored St. Jane de Chantal Church.

Here is a little glimpse of the church, look at the beautiful sanctuary and realize the floors at the time of this picture is early on in the restoration.