The Quasi-Parish of Ave Maria Oratory is Officially Dedicated

AVE MARIA, Fla., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, officially dedicated the Quasi-Parish of Ave Maria Oratory today and celebrated its inaugural Mass. Guests of the diocese and Ave Maria University (AMU), as well as town residents and AMU students, faculty and staff filled the Church to capacity in celebration of its official opening.

The dedication of the Church culminates the process to erect the Quasi- Parish, which will provide pastoral care and assist in meeting the spiritual needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Ave Maria University and the Catholic residents of the town of Ave Maria.

"This is a sign of growth for the Diocese, not only in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual life of the area," said Bishop Dewane. "As the faithful of this new Quasi-Parish, the students, faculty and residents of the town will have a place of worship, not only to participate in the Holy Eucharist but to receive all other Sacraments and enrich their spiritual life. This is a joyful day."

Thomas S. Monaghan, Chancellor of Ave Maria University, commented on the significance of the dedication and his gratefulness to have a dedicated place of worship to serve AMU and residents of the surrounding town.

"Today's dedication ceremony is a historic event for Ave Maria University. The Mass is the very center of our faith as Catholics and the Oratory's size and central location were always meant to symbolize this prominence. This first Mass at the Quasi-Parish is very special, and it is particularly meaningful that it takes place on this year's Feast of the Annunciation, our patronal feast day.

"We are grateful to Bishop Dewane not only for dedicating the Oratory today, but also for his pastoral concern for the Catholics in Ave Maria," Monaghan said.

The establishment of a Quasi-Parish is not only a historic event for AMU and the Diocese of Venice, but it is also a monumental step forward for the town of Ave Maria.

"We are delighted to celebrate another important milestone for Ave Maria," commented Blake Gable, Vice President of Real Estate for the Barron Collier Companies and project manager for the town of Ave Maria. "We are proud and honored to have played our small role in the dedication of the Quasi-Parish of Ave Maria Oratory."

The new Quasi-Parish is the first church to be established in Ave Maria and will provide residents with opportunities to congregate together in prayer and other community activities which are consistent with the sacredness of the space.

All liturgical and parish activities conducted in the church will be overseen by a priest administrator appointed by Bishop Dewane. A full Mass schedule will be determined by the administrator, and there will be Masses dedicated to serving the university and its students. Additionally, AMU will create an office of campus ministry.

"We are profoundly gratified that the Oratory, as the place for celebration of the liturgy, will now truly be the spiritual heart of the university," said Nicholas J. Healy, Ave Maria University President. "The dedication is a sign that we are in union with our Bishop and our diocese."

Standing more than 100 feet tall and with a seating capacity of 1,100, the Oratory is the focal point of the town center, a European-inspired La Piazza which is flanked on the north, south and east sides by the town's commercial core. The architectural design of the Oratory was initially inspired by Fay Jones' famous Thorncrown Chapel located in Eureka Springs, Ark.

The Church is a traditional, eastward-facing structure with a stone facade, a large rose window, and a planned relief of the Annunciation over the main entrance. The nave is capped by a continuous skylight that allows light to percolate down through a forest of 100-foot tall gothic style arches. This space culminates in a large semi-circular sanctuary, with a centrally located tabernacle. A stone altar, large crucifix, and statues of the saints are planned to complete this sacred place of worship.