Bishop dedicates Mary Queen of Angels in Fort Scott

Bishop Carl A. Kemme told those attending the dedication of Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott Saturday, Nov. 23, that they had turned a new page in the parish’s history.

“If there are any tears here today, let them be tears of joy and gladness, for today we begin a new chapter in the life of Mary Queen of Angels parish, the dedication of your new church, built for the glory of God and for the salvation of souls,” he said.

The bishop said he remembers receiving a phone call from their pastor, Fr. Yancey Burgess, about how lighting had struck the church and that it was burning.

“I think I immediately went to my own private chapel in my home and began to pray for Father and for all of you, as you experienced what none of us ever think will happen, the destruction of a church building that was so venerated and honored for many years,” the bishop said. “What couldn’t be destroyed – I am grateful to acknowledge –  was your faith and your hope.” 

Bishop Kemme said he saw the damaged church a few days after the Aug. 29, 2022 fire.

“I knew then that no matter what, somehow, we would re-build this church so that Catholic faith and life could continue here in the Fort Scott area for many generations to come. Now today, it is my special honor to be with you as your bishop, to consecrate this new altar and the walls of your new church so that this place will be forever holy and sacred to the Lord.”

The bishop thanked Fr. Burgess for his leadership in the project and for being a spiritual father who shepherded his parish in a tragedy of such proportions. He also thanked those involved with the rebuilding, “indeed to each and every person who had a part to play in bringing this church from the ashes of the old church to a new, brilliant, and beautiful church that will serve God’s people here for years to come.”

“Nevertheless, the liturgy is a masterpiece of ritual and meaning. We entered the church as if we were entering heaven. We blessed the sanctuary and walls and then the people with holy water recalling our baptismal status. We heard the sacred scriptures proclaimed here for the first time, the Word of God that will be proclaimed here day after day,” he said. 

Incense abounds

“Soon we will call upon the saints acknowledging that here all of heaven and earth are one in the sacraments. I will pray the solemn prayer of consecration will be prayed and then anoint the altar and walls with Chrism and incense. And here I must warn you, copious amounts of incense will be offered to symbolize the supreme sacrifice of Christ that will be offered here day after day.”

He said the Mass would be celebrated for the first time, Holy Communion would be distributed, and then reserved in the new tabernacle where Christ will remain with the parishioners for prayer and adoration. “Few liturgies rise to the level of this much beauty and meaning. How blessed we are to be here today!”  

Bishop: remember baptismal grace

The liturgy speaks for itself, he said, and concluded his homily by reminding those attending that what they were doing externally, “Christ does in each of us internally through the sacramental grace we received at baptism and confirmation and which we receive each time we worthily receive him in Holy Communion.”

Referring to the day’s second reading, Bishop Kemme said the faithful come to Jesus “as a living stone, chosen and precious in the sight of God and like living stones, allowing ourselves to be built up into a spiritual house.  

“This church building will last only for a time, but the spiritual house of your soul and mine is immortal and eternal. May what we do here today and what is done here each day be done in us as we come before him with tears of joy and hearts full of gladness and thanksgiving.”

Church resembles original building

The architects designed and crews built a church that closely resembles the original church. 

Fr. Yancey Burgess, the pastor of Mary Queen of Angels, thanked the bishop and priests who took part in the dedication.

“We also want to thank all the artists for their work – our new parish church is truly a work of art,” he said, adding, “Everybody loves the new kneelers as compared to kneeling on the gym floor.”

“We are now moving things into our church that have been in storage for two years and we’re trying to find a place to put everything. As we continue our capital campaign, our goal is to have the church paid for as soon as possible.”

The church’s new cornerstone states the parish was established in 1860 and dedicated in 2024.