Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre recently celebrated Mass at St. Ambrose Church in Cecilia, Kentucky, to dedicate the newly renovated parish and bless the new altar. The Hardin County parish has completed a five-year renovation project, adding nearly 1,600 square feet to the church building.

Father Benedict J. Brown, administrator of St. Cecilia, along with Father Roy Stiles and Carmelite Father Michael Greenwell, concelebrated the liturgy. During his homily, Archbishop Fabre emphasized the importance of prayer and faith within the renovated church.

“Here in this renovated church and around this altar, you will gather as a people of faith," said Archbishop Fabre. "It’s here that God will find the offering of your lives and respond to you in love.”

The archbishop also reflected on the parable of the Good Samaritan from the day's Gospel reading.

“This altar is not merely a piece of furniture in this church," he said. "This altar is instead a symbol of Jesus Christ himself."

The new altar was constructed by William Edlin using slabs from a 200-year-old walnut tree. After being blessed by Archbishop Fabre, it was draped with white linen by parishioners Sarah Fellows and Brenda Skees.

St. Ambrose Church has a history dating back to its establishment in 1889 but faced destruction due to natural disasters twice before rebuilding efforts led to its current structure dedicated in 1956.

The $1.3 million renovation aimed at accommodating growth included installing new pews, repairing walls and windows, recladding the bell tower, and adding an accessible entrance.

“Inspirational elements” such as a prayer garden and stained-glass windows were also added during renovations. The windows depict various sacraments as well as figures like St. Ambrose himself; they represent one final project completed posthumously for Deacon Bob Markert by his son Joseph Markert alongside artist David Wallick over approximately 1,200 hours using German-imported glasswork materials—intended to inspire reflection among parishioners according to Father Brown: “We need inspiration for living out our faith,” he stated.

St Ambrose currently hosts around one hundred registered families under Father Brown's administration who additionally oversees nearby St Ignatius Church located fifteen miles away from Cecilia's site itself found six miles westwardly outside Elizabethtown city limits where original buildings once stood before tornadoes/fire necessitated subsequent rebuilds historically speaking prior decades past present day endeavors undertaken successfully concluded now onward towards future prospects alike evermore ongoing community engagement developments thereof still yet continuing forwardly altogether united therein shared purposes anew always henceforth forevermore likewise continually so forth perpetually altogether again afresh eternally onward beyond furthermore eternally steadfastly assuredly indeed faithfully committed together throughout all times hereinforever onwards thus far henceforward infinitely beyond everlasting...