Tabernacle
One
feature of the church, which immediately strikes and indeed
shocks some people, is that the tabernacle is not on the sanctuary
or, indeed, visible as one enters the church. It has been placed
behind the screen, quite separate from the sanctuary. It is
surrounded by a semi-circle of benches where parishioners can
pray quietly and intimately before the blessed sacrament.
The sanctuary is thus reserved for the altar on which the Eucharistic sacrifice is celebrated by the assembled parishioners. This in no way devalues the importance of the Divine presence in the tabernacle, but separates the space for personal private prayer from that devoted to communal prayer in which all unite in offering praise and sacrifice to God.
Behind
the tabernacle can be seen the candle, visible from the front
of church through the screen. The lighted candle indicates the
presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
