Are you aware that every diocese has an Art and Architecture committee that is involved in the building or renovating of a church? Because our buildings help shape us in our faith life, as it were, we are showing our love of God in the beauty of our church building. The architecture of the church building is meant to express the theology of the time it is built but also to be able to convey theology for future generations.

The norms that direct the building and renovation are all built upon the idea that "the dwelling of God with men reconciled and united in Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1180). As you can imagine, there are numerouthings that must be considered. Some of these are:

• The external appearance of the building
• The threshold
• The baptismal font
• The nave (body) of the church building (are you aware that our church building is in the shape of a cross?)
• The sanctuary
• The altar
• The ambo
• The presider's chair
• The tabernacle
• The confessional
• The choir area
• All the sacred images, including the windows

In coming weeks we'll explore some of these norms and why they are meaningful.

The Archdiocesan Office of Worship's Reclamation Center is holding two open houses in the next few weeks. The Reclamation Center is home to many of these sacred objects when they are between uses.