New Church Donnalucata

Foto Gallery>>
(foto di Gianluigi Galluzzo)

It was concluded on June 30 the ritual of laying the foundation stone of building the church of San Giorgio in Donnalucata. The Bishop of Noto, Monsignor Antonio stands out, so he began the celebration of the afternoon: "We build the temple of our humanity."

The presence of the Rosary Parish Priest Fr Sultana, of civil and military authorities, was celebrated the ceremony of laying the foundation stone with the praise, the presence of relatives of Edmund Riccotti La Rocca, who donated the land on which the church will be built : the widow, Anita Manenti, children, John and Marina Riccotti La Rocca. 'E' with great emotion that we are celebrating today a historical moment, a rare event in the life of a city, laying the foundation stone for the construction of a new church - said the mayor of Scicli, John Twenty-five. It 'was a special day for our community, made even more extraordinary by the presence of so many citizens and His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Staglianò. Among the most significant things the mayor has emphasized that "the presence of an educational, cultural, moral, which the Church is essential. Why a church marks the sense of belonging, a church in a neighborhood that is the signal c ' is a constant and continuous faith and hope. " The Secretary of the IEC Crusade Mariano Bishop (Bishop emeritodi Noto) sent in his message for the occasion has reminded those present at the ceremony that "the construction of a church is also a unique opportunity to enter into dialogue and relationship with urban fabric, social and, more generally, cultural territory. " The priest Don Rosario Sultana at the end thanked all urging to "feel encouraged and spurred on by me and by the bishop to work together in strings, symphony, so that everyone knows to do its part in various capacities and level for the good of all, So we will work together because the church is well built and delivered on time to the faithful. It 'is essential in us a positive attitude, mutual trust, hope and faith in all that we will have to do to build this new church. None of us feel useless, excluded or unrelated to this project rather than each discover and exploit their talents, overcoming every form of hopelessness or inadequacy, instead we are called to task for building unique and original joint .

Enclosed is the speech of the Rosary Parish Priest Fr Sultana

Donnalucata is the largest village of the municipality of Scicli (RG) and also the most populous, but benefits only the small church of Saint Catherine of Siena which is definitely not able to meet the needs of the community living in the township, both in summer than in winter. In fact, if during the daily exercise is just enough, during special celebrations such as baptisms, confirmations, marriages, the space available to the faithful is insufficient.
The new parish complex planned rise in the district north of Cannamara Donnalucata, the lot is bounded away from Marathon away from Thessaloniki, is characterized by a high slope, gradient between the lowest and the highest point is about 4:40 m

The Inspiration

For the drafting of the final draft is one inspired by the sea, because the charming town bases its main economy of this great resource. The sea is always mentioned in the draft, either with the memory of shells, with the sails to the wind, as it symbolizes the main hall of the church bell that reminds you with the mast of a ship in transit, and even with the sinuosity of the terrace of the churchyard and rectory that evokes the soft beaches lapped by the sea. While, the only expressions are rustic olive trees existing on the lot that will be left on site to address the agricultural economy of the territory. The project idea was to revive the language of the union that exists in this township between the two civilizations, one sailor and peasant, who for decades coexist and interact amiably in this enchanted place.
In the highest part of the lot is the church, whose shape resembles a shell, open to the township and the sea and at its summit there is the bell tower.

As will be realized

The nave may contain up to 550 seats, arranged in a semicircle, the area of the chancel is raised three steps, to the right is the pulpit, left the baptismal font. The soffit of the roof will be done in the classroom liturgical wooden caisson, it reminds the churches of the '4 oo not in our area due to the earthquake of 1693. The top surface is made of galvanized aluminum insulated. It was also a system of rods connected to the tower, whose function is to stay and then to support the roof. As concernei external cladding and flooring of the church has decided to use local materials, stone asphaltic and hard white limestone for interior flooring, stone Comiso gray basalt for paving. The internal floor will be arranged radially alternating the two types of materials, with the point of convergence towards the altar, so that entering the church is almost the feeling of stepping into the most important point of it. The emphasis is placed before the altar and the waterfall behind it with all the symbolic meanings that water evokes the purity, regeneration and life. Outside, the terrace, which stretches towards the township, it is preferred to use a drawing of concentric circles, alternating Comiso stone gray and white limestone, whose origin is the Summit north of the church, it follows the same direction the concave facade and stresses the role of the church: "spread" the Word of God beyond its walls to the world. The facade was made of concrete blocks will be reproducing the effect of white stone face view, but provide a longer life and greater insulation and heating insulation.
The lighting is by windows of 30x80 placed at the top and facing north so that the illumination is constant during the whole day and you can avoid sunlight shown upon the faithful. Connected to the church is the body of the weekday chapel, the sacristy and the rectory. The weekday chapel takes shape shell of the church, but this time not in plan but in elevation, has openings for skylights, and can hold 42 seats.
The parsonage was deliberately designed initially as a type indigenous agricultural recently before the final draft of the will of the CEI, the parsonage has been restyled for prolonging the semicircular roof of the chapel achieve a harmonious working together of . Spread over two levels the ground floor living area, featuring a double height space, with attached garages on the first floor sleeping area. Between the two buildings is the sacristy with a small office and services. In the lower part of the lot, a large yard bordered by a row of trees, leading circles located under the floor of the church. Here they are: the parish hall, marked by a large glass wall covered with sun block filters and illuminated from above with two skylights, classrooms for catechism, storage, local facilities and services. The parish complex will cover a gap that has lasted more than a century as well as provide a collective space appropriate to its size this charming town of Scicli.

• The latest changes to the draft final>>