(above photo by Danny Beauchamp)
When the current provincially-imposed lockdown in response to COVID-19 is lifted and all Saint Clement parishioners are once again able to return to a normal worship schedule, they will be able to fully appreciate the talents of those who have worked on their behalf to restore both the side altars and church statuary.
Two days before Christmas, thanks to parishioner-generosity, volunteers ensured the return to its place in the sanctuary of the restored altar dedicated to Saint Joseph: a fitting response to the proclamation made a few days before by Pope Francis of the Year of Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of the Universal Church to run from 8 December 8th 2020 to December 8th 2021.
The same papal proclamation reminded the world of the feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady celebrated on the 8th of December. While restoration work on Our Lady’s altar is still ongoing, Saint Clement parish was able to respond with the installation high on the West transept wall of the newly restored statue of Our Lady.
Overpainted white in the 1960’s like all other statues in the church, the one of Our Lady was skillfully and beautifully painted by Brushworks a parishioner-owned company specializing in the restoration of church statuary.
The treatment of Our Lady’s statue as well as that of the one of Saint Joseph completed earlier in the year by Brushworks was made possible by generous parishioner donations.
The work to restore the side altars is being undertaken by Atelier Plantagenêt who carried out the restorative treatment of the high altar.
It is parishioner support that has made such restorations possible. The cost of restoring the side altars was budgeted at $24, 800 (plus applicable taxes). As of the end of December, parishioner response to the project appeal had raised $29,345.00 thereby exceeding the goal.
Thank you for your generosity!