Oasis: Our Dream for Cherry Orchard
Our dream for Cherry Orchard is that the heart of the area be an Oasis of beauty and peace: where people can come together to be nurtured and renewed in body and soul, where the quality of our community will be developed and strengthened and there we can worship together through meaningful liturgical celebrations for Sunday Masses and other special occasions.
Location of Oasis:
The physical location of this Oasis is the area encompassing the school-buildings, playground, church building and surrounding garden; hopefully the inclusion of a parish centre situated in the garden with a link to the church. Perhaps the extra parish ground outside the church and school will be earmarked as the site for a Second Level School and in the meantime be used for leisure activities.
What we have done so far
Since the summer of 2010 some of our plans have become reality.
The side chapel has been converted into a Prayer Room that can also be adaped fro use by various groups.
In the main church, the walls have been painted. We now have a new ceiling and lighting, a good heating system, a new sanctuary and a new backdrop behind the altar. There is also new floor covering.
Other plans which remain to be done:
- Make Baptistery a focal point in church
- Reposition organ to top lefthand corner of church.
- Include a wall mounted screen for powerpoint presentations.
- Provide appropriate reconciliation space.
- Wheelchair accessible toilet.
- Ensure that there is easy, all weather access to parish centre.
- Paint glass of windows to mimic stained glass windows.
- Good lighting outdoors.
Grounds:
A central aspect of our Oasis would be the beautiful environment outside. All the garden space would be beautifully landscaped. The front of the church would be simply done, green lawns, shrubs, flower beds, fronted by a suitable wall/fence/hedge. Behind the church would be a restful garden with different focal points. Note the raised flower bed in the photo: perhaps something like this or a water feature could be a gathering area for liturgy. The area would be carefully landscaped showing different levels and wide use of appropriate shrubbery and all the year round flowers. Visualise an arbour suitable for those First Communion, Conformation and Wedding photos! Perhaps there will be a Labyrinth to help those reflective moments and in a discreet area a Barbecue for summer picnics! The grassy areas would be planted with camomile grass and there would be a good scattering of Lavender and Lemon plants, all to help calm the troubled soul! If we could realise this dream of an Oasis for Cherry Orchard we would be well on the way towards making out mission statement a reality.