What we see in a Catholic church

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What we see in a Catholic church
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The Tower
The tower is high and grand to show the
importance of the church in the community. It
holds the bells that are rung before church
services to call people to worship..
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The Notice Board

• The notice board is by the door, giving
  information about important events and the
  charities that we support.

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The Holy Water Font (stoup)

• The holy water fonts are next to the door. They
  contain water which is blessed by the Priest.
  When they enter the church they dip their fingers
  into the holy water and then make the sign of the
  cross. This reminds them of their baptism, and
  that they are entering the presence of God in
  church. When they leave, they do the same, but
  now it reminds them they are being sent out into
  the world by Jesus, to bring his love to others.

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The Nave

• The congregation sit in the nave for the main
  services.

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The Confessional

• The confessional is a very private place where
  someone can confess their sins to the Priest. The
  Priest will then pray for theirforgiveness by
  God - this is called 'absolution'.
• This is known as theSacrament of Penance or the
  Sacrament of Reconciliation, and it can take
  place anywhere.

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A Priest will never speak of what he has heard in
confession

The penitent (person confessing)
The priest
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The Stations of the Cross

• These are fourteen pictures or carvings which
  tell the story of how Jesus suffered and died.
  Catholics use these to help them to pray during
  the time known as Lent, just before Easter.

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The Sacristy

• Through the doors is the sacristy. This is a
  room where the vestments, and items used in
  worship are kept.

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The Lady Altar

• This chapel is dedicated to Mary,
• mother of Jesus

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The Baptismal Font

• This is the basin , that holds water for the
  purpose of baptising new members of the Church,
  including babies.

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The Paschal Candle

• This is a large candle near the baptismal font.
  It is lit for the first time at the Easter vigil,
  and is used throughout the Christian year to
  remind people that Jesus is 'the light of the
  world'.

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The Sanctuary Lamp

• Hanging from the ceiling is the sanctuary lamp.
  It is lit to show that bread that has been
  blessed in mass (communion service) is in the
  tabernacle. This can be taken by the Priest or
  ministers to people who were too ill to come to
  church.

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The Altar

• The altar is used by the Priest during Mass. It
  is near the congregation, so that they can see
  and hear. The missal used by the Priest is open,
  ready for use.

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The Sanctuary

• The sanctuary is the holiest part of the church,
  around the altar.

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The Tabernacle

• In the tabernacle are the 'blessed sacraments'.
  These are kept to take to people who have been
  too ill to come to church.

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The Aumbry

• This is a small cupboard which contains the holy
  oils.

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St. Joseph's Altar

• This chapel is dedicated to St. Joseph.

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Votive Candles (vigil lights)

• This is a stand of small candles. People can
  light a candle to show that they are praying
  about something particular - perhaps for
  themselves, or for someone else. They are usually
  near an icon or statue of Mary.

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The Choir Loft

• This is the gallery from which the choir may sing

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The Credence Table

• A Small shelf or side table used for holding the
  articles (cruets, chalice etc.) used in the
  celebration of the Eucharist.

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Crucifix

• A Cross with the crucified image of Christ on it.

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An Icon

• A symbolic, sacred image of Christ, the Holy
  Trinity, Mary or the angels and saints, usually
  written on wood or ivory.

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The Presiders Chair

• The presider's chair is located so that the
  priest may preside over the celebration. It is
  from this place that the priest leads the
  liturgical assembly in prayer.

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The Pulpit

• This is where the homily or sermon is preached
  from. The pulpit is high up, so that all the
  congregation can see the Priest. Not all priests
  use the pulpit.
• The Priest might explain the meaning of the
  Bible passage that has been read. The teaching
  helps the people to apply the guidelines and
  stories in the Bible to their own lives.

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The Lectern (Ambo)

• This is a stand from where the Bible is read
  during church services. It is higher than where
  the congregation sit, so that everyone can see
  and hear.