Built of Living Stones 211-214: Accessibility

These four sections outline the US bishops’ directives on ensuring that “full and active participation” is possible for every person. BLS 211 backs it up with a Biblical reference, a statement from the US bishops from the 70′s, as well as the concerns of Pope John Paul II.

§ 211 § Every person should be welcomed into the worshiping assembly with respect and care. It was the prophet Isaiah who announced the Lord’s message: “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”(Isaiah 56:7) The bishops of the United States have stated that “it is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to persons with disabilities, since these forms are the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian community together.”(Pastoral Statement of the U. S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with
Disabilities (1978), p. 6) Further direction is given by Pope John Paul II, who has called the Church to the full integration of persons with disabilities into family, community, and Church, and to overcome “the tendency to isolate, segregate and marginalize [those with disabilities].”(Pope John Paul II, Devoted to the Handicapped (March 4, 1981), I, 4) When buildings present barriers to the full and active participation of all, the Body of Christ is harmed.

For BLS 212-213, I’ve included the notes in full as given in the document:

§ 212 § Special attention should be given to individuals with visual or hearing impairments, to those who have difficulty walking or who are in wheelchairs, and to the elderly with frailties. In addition to ramps, elevators, braille signs, and special sound systems that can be accessed by those who need assistance, staircases should have at least one railing. If the sanctuary is elevated by steps, an unobtrusively placed ramp with a hand rail should be provided to make it possible for everyone to have access to the sanctuary.*

*In addition to eliminating architectural barriers, other forms of assistance should be available to persons with disabilities (for example, providing
listening devices, providing places for signing/interpretation, using printed texts and captioned audiovisual materials, installing visual emergency alarms, and making available special telephones for use by persons with hearing difficulties).

§ 213 § The planning process should include consultation with persons with various disabilities and the use of an accessibility inventory* to ensure a careful review of potential or existing architectural barriers. All new construction and renovation work must fully integrate the demands of the liturgy with current laws, codes, and ordinances for persons with disabilities.

*Cf. Accessibility Inventory from the National Office of Persons with Disabilities. This is available also in the January 2000 Environment and Art
Newsletter from Liturgy Training Publications.

§ 214 § Older places of worship can be especially challenging because of the obstacles they present to persons with disabilities. In the renovation of older buildings, special provisions must be made to harmonize the requirements for accessibility with the architectural integrity of the building and with the norms for the proper celebration of liturgy. Adaptations to existing buildings can be expensive, but failure to make the community’s places of worship accessible will exact a far more costly human and ecclesial toll. The goal is always to make the entire church building accessible to all of God’s People.

This is a wise approach. The bishops acknowledge that older building present a challenge–not an obstacle nor money pit. A goal is presented, and goals are often in process of being achieved. Assuming that local communities are always moving toward achievable goals, that is an important first step. And speaking for a community that has a broadly accessible church, we are always looking for ways to refine the friendliness we present to people who live with impaired sight, hearing, mobility, etc..

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 206-210: The Site Plan

Let’s take a look at “The Design of the Church and Its Surroundings: Special Concerns”

§ 206 § The unity of God’s people is both expressed and brought about in the gathering of the eucharistic assembly.(Lumen Gentium 11) Since the church building is fundamentally a place where God and his gathered people meet, care should be exercised in designing the entire complex of site and church building so that it will serve this gathering of the faithful that is essential to liturgical worship.(SC 10)

We are, while at worship, a body gathered (the word is used three times) by God. Does the entire church site facilitate this?

§ 207 § The design of the area surrounding the church can integrate trees, shrubs, and flowers with places for outdoor gathering and for quiet meditation. While there is no maintenance-free landscaping, it is possible to keep landscape care at a manageable level by using indigenous and low-maintenance plants that can withstand dry conditions without requiring excessive watering.

Is the church site multivalent–able to bear multiple activities?

§ 208 § The outdoor paths that lead to the church building should be welcoming and free of barriers, especially to persons with disabilities. In the design of these paths, consideration should be given not only to groups and individuals coming to Sunday Eucharist but also to the arrival and departure of special groups such as the wedding party or the mourners who accompany the deceased’s body at a funeral.

These considerations for those with mobility issues, as well as liturgical gatherings involving funerals and weddings, are well-taken. We’re not just talking about the interior of the building.

§ 209 § In suburban and rural parishes, the building approach must ordinarily provide access for pedestrians as well as for those who arrive by automobile. The building site can be designed so that all who approach are helped to make the transition from everyday life to the celebration of the mysteries of faith. Parking lots and passenger drop-off areas can be convenient yet unobtrusive. Sensitive design of vehicular approaches, parking sites and walkways coupled with appropriate landscaping make it possible to accommodate the automobile without allowing it to dominate the site. Weather considerations will influence the arrangement and the choices made by the local parish.

Does the automobile dominate your parish’s site?

§ 210 § Paths provided for those approaching on foot, especially paths that lead to the principal gathering space outside the building, should receive special attention. The space at which these paths converge should be welcoming and hospitable, drawing together those who assemble for worship and providing for those who wish to linger in conversation with one another after liturgical services. Pavement patterns, borders, and configurations; shrines containing images in sculpture, mosaic, or other art media; as well as planters and outdoor benches help with the passage from the mundane to the sacred action of worship.

How much outdoor art does your parish possess? And is such art invitational to reflection and meditation? Five quick paragraphs, but these guidelines contain much wisdom that, here and there, is overlooked.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 205: Collaboration

Mutual dialogue is touted. But dialogue, by definition, is mutual. Preaching is one-way. Usually. Anyway, the bishops suggest the pastor, parishioners, and hired professionals all get along in such a way so as to fashion a place of “sacred beauty.” I’d say it’s quite possible. You?

§ 205 § Collaboration is essential to every architectural project, but it is even more so in architecture at the service of liturgy, for cooperation reflects the very nature of the Body of Christ. The members of the parish community along with their pastor, the liturgical consultant, the artist, the architect, and the contractor are all called to a collaborative effort, whose goal is to summon forth the finest expressions of faith within their means. Mutual trust and openness are central components of the collaborative effort. The parish, represented by its pastor and committees, the architect and liturgical design consultant, the artist, and the contractors should strive to listen to each other with careful attention so that a place of sacred beauty will emerge from their mutual dialogue.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 202-204: Compensation and Professional Standards

Pay for good work, and don’t be dismayed over it:

§ 202 § Excellent designs can be brought to beautiful completion only by competent and trustworthy professionals. These professionals have a right to compensation that matches the expectations of the outstanding competence and expertise demanded of them. A major and continuing educational effort is required among believers in order to restore respect for competence and expertise in all the arts and to cultivate a desire for their best use in public worship. The Church needs in its service professional people with the appropriate qualifications. The community must be willing to budget and expend resources for appropriate professionals so that the criteria for good liturgical art and sound building practices can be met.

§ 203 § The architects, liturgical consultants, artists, contractors, and all others engaged in the project should be held to a high professional standard of care and to the observance of the social teaching of the Church. Because they are, in part, responsible for the stewardship of the resources of the parish, all who are engaged in the project must be worthy of the trust of the community.

The West, and perhaps pragmatic Americans in particular, have devalued the arts. Parish leaders, especially the pastor, is on the spot for assisting this build-up of trust.

§ 204 § Volunteers and donors of contributed services and in-kind gifts are valuable assets in any parish building project. However, these individuals and their contributions must be held to the same standard of skill, quality, and appropriateness that is required of services and objects procured through conventional methods. As a parish utilizes contributed services, it will be important to work with diocesan personnel to ensure that all legal and insurance requirements are met.

If parishioners and donors are up to the standard, all the better. Ifnot, there are alternatives, and it might require careful diplomacy to communicate.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 201: The Contractor

Make sure the contractor is sound …

§ 201 § Parishes will search for contractors who exhibit skills appropriate to the scope and significance of the project and who are properly licensed and insured. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to finance and to fulfill their commitments completely and on time and should exhibit skills in the areas of management, supervision, building technology, and construction methods and procedures. They also should have a record of good labor relations supported by positive benefit practices that are consonant with and reflective of the Church’s teachings on social justice. Most dioceses keep careful records of the competence, working methods, completion practices, and fiscal responsibility of the contractors who have worked on church buildings in the diocese to assist parishes with the competitive bidding process. This information can be readily available to the pastor and the parish building committee.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 199-200: The Liturgical Consultants

The liturgical consultant is a key professional, especially if the architect is less acquainted with the demands of liturgy. And sometimes, even if she or he is.

§ 199 § The construction of a church building cannot be undertaken without proper professionals in a variety of fields. When a parish begins to undertake the building or renovation of a liturgical space, the parish building committee should obtain the services of specialists in liturgical design. lt is the responsibility of the liturgical consultant to assist the pastor, the staff, and the entire parish with continuing education about the importance, role, and value of worship, and the impact of the church building upon worship.

§ 200 § The liturgical consultant also works with the architect. Some architects are liturgical architects. They possess, in addition to their architectural credentials, artistic insights and formal liturgical education that equip them to engage in liturgical design. However, this is not always the case. The liturgical consultant(s) selected by the parish work with the architect and other members of the design team from the earliest stages of the process to help them apply the principles and norms of liturgical design to the practical and liturgical needs of the parish being served. This includes an examination of the acoustics, the flow and movement for processions, appropriate styles for liturgical celebrations, the interrelationships within the Eucharist as well as the relationship of the Eucharist with the other sacraments, and all the elements required by the Church’s liturgy. In addition, the consultant may have expertise in design and can help to coordinate the design and fabrication of appropriate furniture and other objects to be used during liturgical services, as well as the liturgical art to be placed within the church.

Liturgical consultants, in some quarters, were among the most-hated of the liturgists about ten to twenty years ago. A few publications and web sites kept the fires burning on this for awhile. This has died down somewhat in my experience. But it would be a curiosity to me to know a parish that didn’t want good liturgical guidance on matters as important as the worship life of a community for the next century. I’m glad that the US bishops suggest here the importance of catechesis on worship, processions, interior design, and other artistic considerations.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 198: The Architect

The architect is a key person in a building project.

§ 198 § The architect, the primary agent of design, has an essential role in the building or renovation project. In choosing an architect, the parish will look for someone whose designs will embody the mysteries of the faith expressed and lived in the liturgical assembly. In addition to having the skills and exercising the appropriate standard of care required of a professional architect, those chosen to design church buildings should be able to

1. Create an environment by the use of space, sound, and visual aspects that will facilitate and encourage liturgical celebrations and the active participation of the faithful.(GIRM 288)

2. Give visual expression to aspects of doctrine and spirituality that words alone cannot adequately express, employing in their own designs, and requiring in those of others hired by them, the highest artistic standards for the inspiration, devotion, and religious formation of believers.(GIRM 289; SC 127)

3. Draw attention to and protect the significant treasures of the Church’s architectural and artistic heritage, whenever possible.

4. Be collaborative and willing to participate in the dialogue essential to the development of a building program that will fulfill the needs of the local Church.

5. Be sensitive to the financial realities of the parish and work within its budget.

Five good points.

On one, note the first includes “active participation,” the real hallmark of Vatican II liturgical reform. Not organic change.

Two, the “visual expression” of doctrine–a good image.

The others make for common sense.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 196-197: The Role of Professionals

Practical advice on the professionals that will almost always be hired to assist a building project:

§ 196 § In deciding to employ professionals, and in hiring specific people, the parish must be aware of any diocesan directives and requirements for contracts and licenses and is encouraged to utilize the expertise of diocesan staff with experience in this area. Doing so can help to avert serious financial and legal difficulties for the parish and major time delays. Because the architect is the contracted professional responsible for the development of the building’s design, it is appropriate that other professionals serve as consultants to the architect. It is also crucial that all professionals chosen have the expertise to fulfill the particular tasks needed and that a clear description of their roles and responsibilities be developed and agreed upon before they actually begin the work.

I think it important to have an architect well acquainted with church design.

Should a parish engage parishioners? Perhaps not:

§ 197 § Normally, engaging the skills of professionals with experience in the lighting of churches, acoustical design and sound transmission, and design is preferable to selecting vendors of equipment or accepting the “good will” services of individuals who may have some knowledge but who lack the requisite qualifications to design and install elements suitable for a church. Both the scale of the building and the demands of the liturgy require varied solutions that differ from those suitable for domestic or smaller scale projects.

I worked for a pastor who thought that a home audio expert was a good choice among his parishioners to install the church sound system. I knew the guy, who knew his stuff. But he was also urged to provide this service, which he reluctantly did, knowing that it was a bit beyond his expertise. As a result, we had a quirky system that sometimes worked, sometimes not. And it was not wired to the pastor’s specifications, a point he was unwilling to acknowledge. Many years later, many fixes were needed. Avoid these kinds of headaches, if you possibly can.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 193-195: Surveying Existing Churches

The bishops recommend a fmailiarity with good work done elsewhere. Sound advice:

§ 193 § Before people make architectural and liturgical decisions, they need some experience of the broad spectrum of architectural designs already in new and renovated churches. People’s preferences are often determined by things with which they are familiar. Visits to a variety of churches can help them to develop a store of images that they can evaluate and consider as potential options for the building project in their own parish.

§ 194 § Although the visits should not be confined to the work of architects or liturgical consultants under consideration for their project, people will want to visit churches that demonstrate the candidates’ work. Gaining knowledge of a professional’s previous work, whether religious or secular, is indispensable to the process of selecting the architect.

§ 195 § When actual site visits are not possible, slides, videos, and other visual aids can expand the experience of those preparing for the building or renovation of a church. Liturgical and construction offices within the diocese also can be invaluable resources in advising parish building committees of recent or exemplary projects in the local area.

One important piece is to check the references of architects, contractors, and artists among church projects they have done. It is useful to get a good sense on how other churches have worked with professionals. In my current parish, we are looking to upgrade the sound system from the fire-damaged former set-up. In speaking with consultants, we were less impressed with eight-figure projects for convention centers, arenas, or even megachurches. We wanted people with church experience, preferably Catholic. We also asked churches for their assessment in working with professionals. A professional may do excellent work, but their interpersonal skills with a committee’s, a parish’s, and a pastor’s expectations need to also be a good match.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 191-192: Priorities and Stewardship of Resources

Are the bishops overly optimistic about this?

§ 191 § Since the building of a place of worship has serious financial implications, wise stewardship of resources demands that the parish establish liturgical, spiritual, artistic, and social priorities upon which financial decisions rest. However, the cost of an item is not the only consideration in planning for construction and renovation. Every faith community, even the financially poorest, is called to use all the powers of human ingenuity at its disposal to provide beautiful, uplifting, and enriching places of worship that also serve basic human needs.

Honestly, I do not think so. My sense is that many parishes pour a degree of extravagance into their buildings. Seomtimes this is an artistic gesture that bears the weight of faith. Sometimes, perhaps, it is more outward display. I think the Church is wise to emphasize the quality of material and honesty of the craft of architecture and art. Lavish display is not the target:

§ 192 § Building a beautiful church is itself an act of worship because beauty is a reflection of God and “a call to transcendence.”(Letter to Artists 16) All church buildings and their contents should mirror divine beauty, which is not to be confused with lavish display. Whatever the style of architecture adopted, extravagant expenditures on the construction of a church should be avoided in light of the obligation to share the resources of the earth in an equitable manner. However, compromises in cost should not compromise the durability, stability, and structural soundness of the building. Balancing the social needs of the local faith community with their duty to worship God through beauty affects the equation of design and execution. Beauty also can be found in simplicity of shape; in humble, honest materials; in the creative use of light, water, and sound; in elegant design; and in worthy religious art.

Can you think of any examples from your own experience?

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 190: Liturgical Education

What sort of catechesis will be needed in a parish?

§ 190 § As part of the self-study, the parish will want to develop a process for liturgical  education. While the actual content will vary from one parish to another, parishioners need to learn more about the liturgy, which is the heart of the Church’s life, and about their participation in the liturgy, which is the “primary and indispensable source” of the “true Christian spirit.”(SC 14) In addition, they need to understand the intrinsic relationships between the Eucharist and the other sacraments, the Liturgy of the Hours, the liturgical year, and the building that houses these celebrations. After reflecting on the basics of liturgy, the assembly can learn about the ways in which architectural elements, the placement and design of liturgical objects, and the choice of floor plans can encourage, control, or hinder liturgical actions. Full and active participation will be greatly affected by the appropriate architectural expression of faith for a particular community. The liturgical consultant  chosen by the parish often develops and directs this education process. In other instances diocesan offices can provide assistance and resources in this area.

Note that optimal catechesis will result in a community more aware of the sacramental life of the Church, plus the connection with liturgical time, daily and through the year. Please also note that participation rises up to the top of these considerations. It’s always at the top of the post-conciliar liturgical renewal. That’s reform, sans 2.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 187-189: The Parish Self-Study

Preface

§ 187 § By their design and construction, church buildings serve the rites of the Church and the devotion of the people, fostering their encounter with God who dwells in all holiness,(SC 122) and reflecting the faith of the people and the culture in which they live. Ideally the church building will be designed so that it also responds to the local environment. While the church building belongs to the Church, its visual aspects belong to its neighbors. In addition, there must be a concern for the impact of the building on its natural surroundings; that is, the site on which it will be located and the resources available there.

The principle of harmony with surroundings is well-taken. Not in the sense, I think, of blending in, but more of being complementary with the surroundings. These days, of course, green considerations are in play.

Keep in touch with one’s history, the bishops advise:

§ 188 § Parishioners may have some sense of the history of the parish, but it is helpful to sharpen the common knowledge of church members at the beginning of the project. This review can consider the origins of the parish; its evolving identity within the local community; and the social, political, economic, and religious elements that have shaped its life. Among other things, the parish will want to reflect on the cultures represented in its members, the geographical and historical factors that have contributed to its development, significant aspects of the community’s liturgical and devotional life, and changes that have already taken place in the building in which its members worship.

… and involve the people:

§ 189 § During the study it may be helpful to invite parishioners to contribute photographs of weddings, first communions, baptisms, and other sacramental and seasonal events. These photos, arranged chronologically, can provide graphic evidence of the changes that the church building has already undergone. The archives of local and diocesan newspapers also can provide material that will help in piecing together the story of the parish over the years.

This is more than just simple sentimentality. I think the emotional and cultural connections to the past may inspire people of the present day to maintain, advance, and appreciate the whole story of the faith community.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 185-186: The Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Worship Committee, and the Finance Council

Standing councils and committees get a role:

§ 185 § Each of the key parish committees oversees the various aspects of parish life and continues to work during this major parish activity. As the building or renovation project progresses, these parishioners contribute to its development through membership on existing parish committees or on newly formed committees entrusted with specific tasks. The parish pastoral council can assist the pastor with the general oversight of pastoral activity in the parish and represents the concerns of the parishioners. The parish worship committee can contribute its expertise in keeping the liturgical needs in the forefront of the discussion. The finance council has a significant role with regard to sources and limits of funding, debt amortization and financial campaigns. Areas that might be addressed by other committees include furnishings, seating arrangements, the chapel of reservation, devotional items, interior and exterior artwork, and landscaping design.

§ 186 § However, it is essential that members of these committees approach their tasks from an informed perspective and stay in constant communication with other committees to insure a well informed team and a coordinated project. While the professional experience of people related to a building project is valuable, care must be taken that these professionals familiarize themselves with the special requirements of the liturgy related to their area of competence. In many instances, the initial work of the committees will be to gain knowledge of the church’s liturgical practices as they relate to their task. As the project develops, these committees may be called upon to provide an ongoing informed review of plans from their areas of expertise.

Liam’s comment in the last BLS post is spot on. It is optimal for a pastor’s leadership (not to mention his ego) to have people willing to disagree and even haggle over serious points on any building project. These three lay groups balance considerations of material resources, liturgy, and the overall pastoral thrust of the parish and its ministries. Aside from defending “turf,” it is also vital that these groups commit to formation (both education and prayer), mutual communication, and teamwork.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 183-184: The Parish Building Committee

The bishops don’t footnote it, but they presume there will be a committee to assist the pastor in his oversight of a building project:

§ 183 § Depending on the organization of the parish, a building committee will be formed that will have significant responsibility for the consultation and educational components as well as for the oversight of the actual building or renovation process. In selecting this committee, the pastor will search for parishioners whose skills and knowledge will contribute to the project. Engineers, architects, artists, interior designers, contractors, and individuals with experience in construction can be of great assistance in overseeing the work to be done. As professionals who have a vested interest in the life of the parish but who are not financially or materially engaged in the process, they can assist with the development of realistic plans and can also provide an ongoing objective evaluation of the work as it progresses.

This is key. Pastors don’t presume that parishioner are going to do the work. It will more frequently be better for qualified lay professionals to assess the planning and results.

§ 184 § In addition to having professionals and people with a broad range of experience on the committee, the pastor will want to insure that the committee is representative of the parish by choosing members of various ages and viewpoints and some liaisons from key parish committees. When all views are heard in the discussion phases, better decisions are likely to be made and a greater sense of ownership will result.

A good nod to diversity, don’t you think?

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

Built of Living Stones 182: The Pastor

In BLS 182-195, we’ll cover “Roles Within the Parish,” starting today with the key person, the pastor:

§ 182 § The pastor is vital to the building or renovation of a parish church. The pastor shepherds the community through the various and often lengthy stages of discernment and planning and works with the finance committee in fulfilling his responsibility for the fiscal dimensions of the project. He must open channels of communication with the entire parish so that all voices may be heard. A clear initial presentation on the scope of the project and frequent updates on the progress of the work, especially any alterations to initial plans, coupled with displays of the architect’s renderings, floor plans, and scale models help to involve parishioners as part of the project from beginning to end. With the help of the staff and others in the parish, the pastor arranges for the parish self-study, the liturgical education of parishioners, and the preparation of the building committee as it begins discernment. The pastor is also the connection and communication link with the diocese throughout the process. In the final analysis, decisions concerning every facet of the building program from beginning to end remain with the pastor, in conformity with diocesan regulations. Wisdom, however, requires that the pastor consult broadly with the congregation, the parish staff, the parish pastoral council, the parish liturgy committee, and the parish finance council, as well as with liturgical and architectural experts and experienced diocesan personnel.

In sum, the pastor is leader (not necessarily doer), financial overseer, diplomat and facilitator, educator, spiritual director, liaison with diocese and parish. It might be no single person is good at all of these. In that case, the pastor delegates appropriately to people who are.

All texts from Built of Living Stones are copyright © 2000, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.