Tabernacle restored for Holy Thursday Mass at St. Pius X in Mount Pleasant

By The Catholic Accent

MOUNT PLEASANT – It has been nearly 20 years since parishioners of the former Transfiguration Parish have seen the tabernacle that secured the Eucharist in the former parish.  When parishioners at Saint Pius X Parish in Mount Pleasant begin the Triduum on Holy Thursday, they will find the tabernacle restored and relocated to the school building for the Altar of Repose. The tabernacle will be available for veneration and prayer following the solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper.   

Father Daniel E. Carr, parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Mount Pleasant, says the journey of the tabernacle from the former church building  to its recent arrival at St. Pius X parish began many years ago.  When Transfiguration Parish closed, the tabernacle and other items from the church building were placed in the care of parishioner Mark Krystyniak.  Before he passed away, Krystyniak cared for the items in his own warehouse.

“We were going through the warehouse and here is this beautiful, big tabernacle,” said Father Carr. “It occurred to me that it would make a wonderful Altar of Repose at St. Pius X Church,” he added.  Up until this year, the parish was using the tabernacle from the former St. Bernardine Parish, which closed in 1972.

 “ I am sure many people will remember and have seen the tabernacle from Transfiguration Parish so it will be a wonderful opportunity to create a very powerful space for people to come and pray to commemorate the night that Jesus instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood,” Father Carr said.

Father Carr said the use of the tabernacle is also an acknowledgement of the history and heritage of those who worshiped at Transfiguration and to honor the service of Krystyniak to the parishes and community.  “He went out of his way to help those in need in our community and his passing was a big loss,” Father Carr said.

“When we received the tabernacle, I thought that this would be a wonderful way to honor his role in preserving it.”