At the centre of our church, where sightlines converge, is the Sanctuary area. It is marked out from the body of the church by being raised on a step. This is the focal point of our worship, where the sacred actions of our sacramental life happen.
At the centre of the sanctuary is the altar, on which the Eucharist or Mass is celebrated. The word altar means a place of sacrifice, and it has the form of a table. This is because the Eucharist is a sacrificial meal, where Christ makes present his Body and Blood under the sacramental signs of the Bread and Wine, offers them to the Father in union with his sacrifice on the Cross, and gives them to the faithful as spiritual nourishment.
Because what is offered on the altar is the same sacrifice that was offered on the Cross, there is always a Cross placed on or near the altar.
To the right, a little outside the sanctuary is the tabernacle. It is a receptacle for the Body of Christ in the form of Bread, kept after the Mass is ended in order to be taken to the sick, and also as a central focus of our private prayer and worship. The word tabernacle comes from the Latin word for the tent: it recalls the Tent of the Presence where God was present among his people in the Old Testament. Christ is truly present among us in the Eucharist.
To the left of the altar is the ambo, or lectern, where the passages from the Bible are proclaimed (the readings) and explained (the homily or sermon) during Mass and the other sacraments.
In front of the altar is a brass gong or bell, rung at the Consecration, when the Body and Blood of Christ become present in the form of Bread and Wine and are shown to the faithful.
Behind the ambo to the right is the credence table, where objects to be used in the Mass and other ceremonies are held in readiness for their use.
To the right of the altar is the Baptismal Font. Baptism with water is the first sacrament by which we become members of the Church, are cleansed of sin and are united to Christ on our journey to the Father.
Behind the altar, raised on a step near the wall, is the presidential chair. It is here that the one who presides (sits at the head of) the Eucharist, the bishop or priest, sits when he is not at the altar. There are seats on either side for the deacons or other priests who assist.
To the right, in a little cupboard or aumbry are glass flasks containing the Holy Oils consecrated by the bishop for use in the sacraments and other rites: Oil of Catechumens, used to anoint candidates for baptism, Sacred Chrism, a perfumed oil used in baptism, confirmation and ordinations, and Oil of the Sick, used for the anointing of the sick, a sacrament f strengthening and healing.
Candles, a natural symbol of light, have a place in Catholic worship:
There are at least two lighted candles on the altar and near the ambo during worship.
A sanctuary lamp (usually red) near the tabernacle reminds us of the presence of Christ.
In front of the statue of Mary, there is a blue Marian candle that burns in her honour.
At prominent points on the walls of the church are consecration candles (usually 12, in our case 4) which the bishop lit when he consecrated the building, and which remind us that the church as a community (of which the building is a sign and symbol) is built on the witness of the Apostles and Evangelists.
Catholics often light votive candles, placed on stands in front of the statues, as signs of our prayer and devotion to Jesus, Mary and the saints.