therefore, consider these elements to be very sacred items. You should be
aware of this fact and know your chaplain’s requirements for handling any
consecrated elements that are kept following Eucharistic services.
The Religious Program Specialist will not normally be concerned with the
disposal of consecrated elements following an Orthodox Liturgy or Roman
Catholic Mass. The Orthodox or Roman Catholic priest will usually arrange
to dispose of any consecrated elements remaining from the Divine Liturgy or
Mass. A Protestant chaplain, however, may ask you to dispose of or store
excess consecrated communion elements. You should strictly adhere to your
chaplain’s instructions for disposal or storage of communion elements when
this situation arises. In some cases, wine or grape juice maybe poured on the
ground, into the sea, or into a special sink (sacrarium) in the ecclesiastical
gear locker (sacristy). In some cases,
excess Protestant consecrated
communion wafers may be placed in the ecclesiastical gear locker (sacristy) in
a safe place designated by the chaplain.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF WOODEN CHAPEL EQUIP-
MENT.—To polish items of wood such as retables, altar railings, altars,
pulpits, pews, etc., use only a good quality furniture polish and a clean cloth.
Wood surfaces on which wine or grape juice has been spilled should be
cleaned as soon as possible. If the spill is dry, first clean with a damp cloth
and a commercial wood surface cleaner, then polish.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS.—
These decorative windows are very expensive and often difficult to replace.
When it is necessary to clean them, they should be washed very carefully.
Real stained glass windows are put together with lead strips between sections.
If too much pressure is applied, they can be pushed out. A commercial
window cleaning solution or ammonia and water may be used. Since some of
the newer stained glass windows are not real stained glass, but have color
applied to regular glass, abrasives or stiff brushes could remove the color.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF METAL ALTAR APPOINT-
MENTS.—The care and maintenance of metal altar appointments is dis-
cussed in the following paragraphs.
Brass Appointments. —If the appointments have a lacquer finish, do not
use an abrasive cleaner since this will damage the lacquer finish. Clean the
item with warm soapy water to remove stains, then polish with a nonabrasive
polish. If the lacquer finish has been removed by use of a harsh polishing
compound, the item should be cleaned with an abrasive cleaner and polished
with a soft cloth to restore a high shine.
Gold, Gold-Plated, Silver, or Silver-Plated Appointments.—Use only an
approved gold or silver polish made specifically for these metals. Never use
harsh polishes or steel wool. Abrasives will remove the metal and scar the
finish, which may necessitate the replating of the appointment.
Chrome and Chrome-Plated Appointments.—Use only a soft cloth and
rub briskly, then shine with a soft dry cloth. The use of a polishing com-
pound is not recommended.
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