Author Topic: San Antonio chapel now has pews! (Read 1722 times)

Matthew · « **on:** August 09, 2015, 01:01:03 PM »

Following closely in the footsteps of the Houston chapel "Stella Maris" -- and not by coincidence -- St. Dominic's Chapel now has pews as well!

Did I have to purchase them, or did Fr. Zendejas just donate them to the chapel?

Yes.

These 11 foot pews all have kneelers, and are in good shape. A few of them might need a new screw here or there, but all the kneelers work. I had to install one of the kneelers myself.

While the (12) pews were donated, they cost $575 to transport here, and that was with 2 men and 1 boy volunteering for a day's work! U-haul rental, insurance, and lots of gas. We took a PT Cruiser one direction and towed it back with the U-haul, to save on gas. It was a 240 mile trip, one-way.

This expense vastly exceeded the chapel's coffers, so we're in the hole (again!) If anyone wants to contribute to the cause, you can donate by Paypal (which accepts credit cards) using this link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LHMPZNHJB6J8Q

I realize that many (most?) of you don't have any extra money sitting around, especially in this bad economy, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Perhaps there are a few readers out there who have the means and want to donate to a good cause -- a Traditional Catholic independent chapel standing for the truth, supporting good priests, and actively growing.

If our chapel had a motto, it would be "Stay Catholic, and don't be sectarian!" We are on good terms with anyone and everyone that we can be. We are friendly with Fr. Trinh's group in Lampasas, TX, Fr. Morel's independent chapel in Louisiana, all of Fr. Zendejas' chapels, and we even have friends at the local SSPX chapel. We're looking to help as many people keep the Faith as possible -- our job isn't to find ways to condemn people.

Our chapel is not sitting on a big bank account like Tolkien's Smaug the Dragon sitting on his gold, not doing anything with it. Unlike certain SSPX chapels I know...

Anyhow, we're about to test these pews out in a real Mass setting in about an hour and a half... Mass is at 2:30!

Miseremini · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2015, 04:24:29 PM »

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If our chapel had a motto, it would be "Stay Catholic, and don't be sectarian!"

Might I suggest a motto for some chapel?

On March 20 A.D. 1908, His Holiness Pope Saint Pius X granted a 500 day indulgence to the following ejaculation that I believe is a perfect motto for the Resistance.

"Conserva nobis fidem, O Lord preserve in us the faith" This was taken from a breviery insert titled Little Treasury of Indulgenced Prayers copyright 1937

The pews look lovely in your chapel !

Stubborn · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2015, 05:58:39 PM »

Awesome, awesome job Matthew!

RomanCatholic1953 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2015, 08:30:43 PM »

I been to San Antonio a few times and it is really a beautiful city with lots
of History. Such as the restored Spanish Governors Palace where
Spanish rule of the Spanish ruled Territories, now the western U.S.
was ruled from. The Cathedral in which were added on by the waves
of German Catholic Immigrants in the latter 19th Century.
Also the superb architectures of the German Immigrants of the 19th
and 20th Centuries.
Even a boat ride on the canal and the guide pointing out the trees
that pre dated the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
All the restored Missions that predated the California Missions by
at lease a century.
On a private ranch nearby there is an exact replica of San Antonio
of 1836 including the Alamo that was used as a set for the motion picture
staring John Wayne in the "Alamo" .

JPaul · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2015, 08:39:46 PM »

Matthew,

Quote

If our chapel had a motto, it would be "Stay Catholic, and don't be sectarian!" We are on good terms with anyone and everyone that we can be.

In this you are doing God's work. Bless you and the Chapel.

"Love the brethren...."

Matthew · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2015, 10:06:59 AM »

Well, the pews really added a lot to the Traditional Catholic chapel experience. Surprise, surprise!

I thought I had a good imagination. I knew it would be "nice" to have pews in the chapel, but I think I vastly underestimated just how much better it would be.
Seriously, I think that most other upgrades the chapel has received pale in comparison to this one.

It's hard to put into words, but it makes a lot of difference in many different ways. Some psychological, some practical. Obviously having pews evokes the feeling of every real chapel you've ever been in. They are solid and don't move, so the kids can't move them around during Mass. Adults holding kids have an easier time, too, because they are solid. And speaking of solid (as in doesn't move) they are also solid (as in not see-through). So it's easier to focus on the altar. I could be wrong, but I think even children have an easier time staying put, compared with when each person has his own chair.

And then there is the kneelers aspect -- it's much easier to kneel without accidentally pushing the chair in front of you forwards, or kicking the chair behind you. And some people really need something to lean on a bit (to take some of the weight off their knees), and/or something solid in front of them to push off of to help them stand again. Yes, in a perfect world we'd all have 1% body fat and everyone would be in excellent shape. But I don't think we're in a perfect world. But other things cause difficulty kneeling as well, such as mankind's timeless foe, OLD AGE.

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2015, 10:31:10 AM »

Quote

We are friendly with Fr. Trinh's group in Lampasas, TX...

So that's where he is now. I have good memories of his orthodox sermons in San Diego when he was with the SSPX.

Your philosophy is very Catholic. As J.Paul quoted St. Peter, love the brotherhood.

Also

For the rest, brethren, rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one mind, have peace; and the God of peace and of love shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11