Festive day in Haimhausen: The parish church of St. Nikolaus is completely renovated after seven years.
Cardinal Marx is ordained.
Haimhausen - It is finally done: After seven years of renovation, the St. Nicholas Church in Haimhausen has been inaugurated.
According to the occasion, the congregation received a distinguished visit last Saturday with Archbishop Reinhard Cardinal Marx, who led the pontifical service for the rededication.
About 80 guests listened to the clergyman's words, including club representatives, local politicians and Mayor Peter Felbermeier. For everyone else who could not be there because of the corona pandemic, there was the opportunity to take part in the service thanks to a live broadcast. "We have got used to the fact that we are streamed everywhere," said Cardinal Marx with a smile.
Pastor Menzel opened the service before the archbishop took over.
Marx spoke of the renovation of a church as an important moment - for the life of a parish and a community.
"It is an expression of hope because we continue through history as the people of God," he said.
The cardinal then blessed the baptismal font and sprinkled holy water on the believers.
After the blessing of the anvil and two readings, Marx handed the Gospels over to Pastor Seidl.
Cardinal Marx then gave his sermon.
In it he went into, among other things, why there are churches at all.
“Why does God need a church?” He asked.
But it is not God who needs them, but people.
"We need this as a sign that heaven is open among us in Haimhausen."
During the consecration of the altar that followed, the relics of St. Martialis, St. Redemptus and St. Clementia were buried in the altar and incense was lit in five places.
It should remind of the stigmata of Christ.
The incense was high on fire and enveloped the church in dark smoke.
Finally, Cardinal Marx blessed the tabernacle and placed the Holy of Holies in it.
An altar boy was allowed to light the eternal light.
As proof of the inauguration, the parish association received the certificate of consecration from Marx.
In it he testified that he consecrated the church according to liturgical rules.
After the service, the delegation with Cardinal Marx and the Haimhauser Dorfmusik left the church in the direction of the parish kindergarten.
There the guests gathered for a small champagne reception.
The special and historic day of the Haimhausen community was rounded off with a meal in the children's home.
Pastoral advisor Bernhard Skrabal was happy and relieved: "I am extremely happy, even if we are not quite finished yet." New furniture is being supplied for the sacristy and the side altars.
But hopefully that should be ready in the next few weeks. "