The Church Decorating Ministry: Working To Honor God Through All Seasons

Our Church Decorating Ministry works every week, and especially during the seasons of Christmas and Easter, to make St. Peter Church a place of beauty and worship, all for the glory of God.

The ministry members’ goal is to follow the direction of Dr. Denis McNamara, noted church architectural historian and liturgical design consultant, who recently addressed our parish. He has said that “a church should manifest heavenly realities.”

“That’s our goal for when parishioners walk in the church — they recognize it’s a sacred space,” says Karen Largen, ministry co-coordinator. “It will help us pray better, and worship better to the glory of God. Beauty and the decorations can help facilitate that and honor the Lord. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

During a recent update of the Strategic Plan, the major principle of incorporating beauty into our sacred Liturgy and sacred space was included.

Karen works closely with Kathleen Noonan, a longtime leader of the ministry, to appropriately prepare our church each week for worship. Every week, the ministry will use artificial arrangements to minimize labor and cleaning. However, those having weddings and funerals often will allow their flowers to remain on the altar.

“Our sanctuary right now has been beautifully adorned and smells great!” Karen says.

The ministry follows the liturgical calendar in order to use the appropriate colors throughout the year. For example, no reds are used until immediately before Christmas and Advent colors are typically in the rose and purple hues.

“We try to keep it seasonally appropriate,” Karen says. “We’re happy to receive whatever décor comes our way. Fr. Clark will have ideas and make suggestions or requests for certain colors that will work better against the red granite behind the tabernacle.”

The ministry totals about 30 members, having had 10 sign on through their stewardship commitment cards. The seasons of Holy Week/Easter and Christmas are the times when many hands are needed to decorate the church. Other organizations also help, with the Knights of Columbus members setting up the outdoors Nativity scene. Women’s groups also take care of the potted arrangements outside the church.

Even though there is literally heavy lifting involved, Christmas is Karen’s personal favorite time of year for decorating.

“I think everyone loves decorating for Christmas,” she says. “It’s perhaps the most extensive, with the trees decorated with lights. This past Christmas, we had an Advent tree in the narthex, and it was so warm and welcoming. Families posed with it for family photos. I was pleased to see the parishioners using it. This was the tree Fr. Clark donated and Kathleen Noonan decorated.”

Karen especially appreciates that the Christmas tree lights are left shining all day and night throughout the season.

“It’s so warm and cozy, especially in the evening for adoration,” she says.

Easter is also a time when the ministry makes sure that the church reflects the joy and glory of the season. The fact that parishioners can make online donations to help pay for the lilies used is very helpful to the ministry.

“We try to use the money well,” Karen says.

As the decorating plans for Christmas are put together, extra help is always welcome. Help is also welcome for Easter. Anyone interested in assisting may contact Karen Largen at 402-450-1008.