Renovated St. Mary's Cathederal opens for Palm Sunday services

About 1,300 Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation parishioners got their first look at the transformation of the cathedral during the weekend's Palm Sunday Masses.

Palm Sunday celebrates Christ's entrance into Jerusalem to complete the Paschal Mystery of his death and resurrection, the Rev. Tom Kiefer of St. Mary said in an email to the Southeast Missourian. It also ties in with the Last Supper; the passion; Easter vigil, which is Saturday; and Easter Sunday, he said.

The three-month project, part of a master plan developed about seven years ago, involved replacing carpeting and tile, adding murals to the walls and ceiling, new side altars, votive candles, kneelers, accent lighting and a welcome center, Kiefer wrote.

Installation of the interior and exterior doors to the main entrance remain to be tackled, Kiefer wrote. The new front doors will contain stained glass representing the annunciation

While work was going on, Sunday services were conducted in the school gymnasium. Average attendance on Sunday is 1,000 to 1,200.

Ceramic tile has replaced carpeting in the renovation of St. Mary Cathedral. (Fred Lynch)

Palm Sunday Masses, which began Saturday afternoon, marked attendees' first look at the improvements. Bishop James Johnson of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau was on hand for the occasion.

"It was more than a renovation or a construction project," Kiefer wrote. "Our cathedral is sacred worship space for the parishioners of St. Mary Cathedral, as well as the parishes of our diocese and for our community. Since 1868, St. Mary's has been a part of the lives of many people in the important moments and transitions of life.

"The renovation of the cathedral has united the old and the new," he wrote. "Originally, there was a mural of the Annunciation that Mary was to be the mother of God. A mural of the annunciation has been placed in the sanctuary and a mural entitled, 'The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities,' both by [Spanish painter Bartolome Esteban] Murillo, has been placed on the ceiling of the cathedral. The cathedral has been completely repainted with colors to embrace a spirit of prayer. Additional handicapped seating has been installed, as well as an updated sound system. LED lighting has been retrofitted into the existing lights suspended from the ceiling."

Kiefer said the feel in the cathedral is now welcoming and peaceful, drawing you in. "And before you realize it, you have spent some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament."

Parishioners also admired the refurbishment by looking around after the Mass, or snapping photos with their cellphones.

The Rev. Tom Kiefer celebrates the first Mass since renovation of St. Mary Cathedral that included new murals, “Annunciation” and “Heavenly and Earthly Trinities” by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, on Sunday in Cape Girardeau. New LED lighting was added to existing light fixtures. (Fred Lynch)

Tom Meyer said he remembers attending St. Mary as a child. "We've had three or four changes and each time it's better," he said.

"I think it looks beautiful," said Mary Meyer.

Alejandro Rivas, whose sister Gabby was an altar server Sunday, agreed with Meyer's sentiment and added, "It's like the pope comes here every day."

"I feel like I'm more awake and alert to what's happening," Jennifer Clark said after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.

Kiefer said there are still plans to build a narthex, or entrance hall, to connect the church buildings and a community room that could accommodate about 200 people and be used for funeral dinners, wedding receptions, overflow for Easter and Christmas services and a place for people to gather after Mass without having to go outside.

The timing of that project will depend on funding, he said.

Kiefer has said improvements were funded by memorials from individuals, the Knights of Columbus, private donations and donations for specific items in the cathedral along with parishioners who left specific bequests in their wills.

The architects are Chiodini Associates of St. Louis. Columbia Construction of Cape Girardeau installed the carpeting and tile.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

615 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.