Father O’Connor to lead ascension day service at St. Patrick’s burial ground

MILLERTON — On the Day of Ascension, observed this year by the Catholic Church on May 29, a mass celebrating Christ rising into heaven will take place outside in the burial ground at St. Patrick’s Church at 5:30 p.m.

To prepare for this special event, artist Svend Lindbaek is creating a giant wooden chair at his workshop at 2 Main St. The sculpture — designed by Father Andrew O’Connor, the new priest at the Immaculate Conception in Amenia — is based on a Bernini sculpture in the Vatican. O’Connor’s goal, like Bernini’s, is to create a sacred space for worship.

“Since St. Patrick’s was closed 10 years ago I am restricted to celebrating mass outside,” explained Father O’Connor. “It is quite appropriate to celebrate a mass about Jesus ascending into heaven in a churchyard in communion with the dead who also anticipate rising again. Being outside, the chair’s monumental size makes all that cannot be seen somehow present.” The mass will be conducted in Spanish and English.

Elyse Harney, who is urging the Arch Diocese of New York to reopen the church, has upgraded the entrance to the church and is supporting the creation of the “Chair.”