Religion

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church of Jacksonville, 1023 Corinth Road, will dedicate its new church building at 11 a.m. today.

The Most Rev. Alvaro Corrada del Rio, SJ, bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, will lead the dedication ceremonies.

“The centuries-old Dedication Liturgy marks this building and ground for sacred use,” said information from Our Lady of Sorrows. “Rites include a procession from the existing church to the new, bled by the bishop.”

The ceremony also includes the reception of the church plans and keys from the builder and architect; entrance into the church; blessing of the people; readings from sacred scripture; anointing of walls with sacred chrism; incensation of the altar and people; the placing of relics of saints in the altar and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Priests and deacons from around the diocese will be vested in white albs and golden vestments.

The existing church seats 208 people and the new church will hold 650. The average weekend attendance at mass in 2004 was approximately 600. The current attendance is between 1,000 and 1,200 people.

Morning prayer will begin at 10 a.m. in the existing church and at 10:45 the bishop, priests, deacons “and the faithful” assemble in the existing church. At 11 a.m., the dedication begins.

On Sunday, there will be a Mass & Reception beginning at 9 a.m. and again at 11:45 a.m. The Mariachi group, Los Arraieros, will play at the 12:45 p.m. mass and for two hours afterward.

There will be activities for children homemade Mexican food.