OLBS has a very special place in my heart and in the hearts of those in the Rosrland Community that…read moreremember its creation.
In a town that had a Protestant majority, this parish began in a tiny building and was developed by the handful of committed Catholics that saw a vision for the future.
The very first altar, created out off old mahagony doors, showed the commitment and inginuity of a handful of men that, under the guidance of our very own Father Pagash, were determined to establish a Catholic place of worship in what was basically a farming town. I know, my father and our neighbors, mostly living on Eagle Rock Avenue, built that altar.
Among that vision for the future was an idea that grew from a genuine desire to educate the children of these dedicated men and women; against all odds Our Lady of the MOST Blessed Sacrament Grammar School became a reality.
So, on a autumn day in the 60's, a handful of Dominican Nuns from Mount Saint Dominic's (Caldwell) arrived to teach a handful of Catholic children... One problem existed, the school building had not yet been completed. With the same inginuity that had created that first mahagony altar, the nuns opened up there own convent to their students. The first and second grades were combined in the convents front sun room, with the third and fourt in the parlour.
We, yes I was among them, were so very proud of our first day, all shinny and polished in our very own uniforms, the name of the parish having been changed to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, basically because an "OLBS" logo fit better on said uniforms (so the story goes).
Moved into the newly finished school, one grade was added every year until we reached all eight grades (final total, aprox. 40 students). One of the highlights of my life was graduating, being part of the first class to have attended from first through the final eight grade... but more on the church !
At the height of the spirit of Vatican II, Father Pagash, one of those old fashioned conservative priests (the confessional was known to quiver with his "rath" at times!), embraced a modern-ism that is to his everlasting credit. One can see this in the very design of the church's interior, an exemplary "monument" to mid-century architecture, deceptively raw and minimal but with a spirit that captivated the new (non-latin) liturgy.
Anyone, Catholic or not, should take a trip to this interior to admire the spectacular stain glass windows; abstract art at its finest. The history of these windows may be lost now, but they were certainly controversial when first installed. Controversial mainly due to their exorbitant cost. They were hand crafted, one of a kind and imported directly from an Italian Studio and the finished plans for the interior were put on hold because they took ever last dime of the budget! These windows spellbinded us kids, I can remember that instead of dreading the daily mass requirement (part of our education), I looked forward every day to "loosing" myself amidst the vibrant colors that reflected each morning off the giant patterns and shapes that made so much sense to a young inquisitive mind. I can even remember daring to turn my head backward, hoping one of the sisters was not looking, to gaze at the enormous window of the Last Judgement that dominates the choir loft. This window is worth, if I may be "vulgar," the price of admission.
Some things have changed and some have not been executed. The cross above the altar black now, was originally painted vivid green (yes THAT green the 60's unleashed on the world!); I like to think it was representative of the branches of the tree of life. The interior side walls were scheduled to be paneled with the same light wood of the pews, meant to "embrace" the symbolic Stations of the Cross, also from the studio that gave us the windows, but those plans seem to remain just that, plans.
A few other ideas were floated around, the altar wall was to have had colorful and guided "emblems" of the faith, symbols like IHS and alpha & omega but one idea has not changed. The idea of creating a place of worship by and for the people of Roseland is alive and well in this flourishing parish, on the rare occasion I am in Roseland, I always make a visit a priority. I light a candle by St. Joseph, I remember "May Day" when the statue of the Virgin was awash in the sent of lilacs that filled the entire interior and I know I have come home to a parish that still is full of the warmth and love that was the essence of it's creation... God bless OLBS!
