Fellowship and community are key aspects of liturgy and parish life. The expanded Narthex allows for parishioners to gather after mass in an open, well lit, inviting area. As the Narthex is a separate area with a separate purpose, a second tile was chosen for the flooring. Accents of the Nave or assembly area course through the Narthex for consistency.

The entrance doors are made of mahogany with a cherry stain. Mahogany wood is a very strong and durable wood, a good choice for doors that will be exposed to the elements. At the north end of the Narthex is the original corpus of Christ, Prince of Peace, a historical and devotional depiction of the Risen Christ for many of our parishioners. The wall of the south end of the Narthex bears the Donor Plaque of Appreciation to all parishioners who helped make the renovation dream a reality. Architectural Bronze Studio fabricated the plaque that is composed of three bronzed and glazed panels. Two are inscribed with the names of our many donors and the middle section reflects how we come together as a community to tend to each other and our Church.

Lastly, just prior to entering the worship space of the church stands the two brick columns that previously formed the outside of the church. The height and strength of these columns sets a formal, awe-inspiring tone as we enter the church, the House of God.

The Sacristy is a room not only for the storage of vestments, linens and other articles used in divine service, but also a room for preparation and prayer for all ministers who will be participating in liturgical services. This room was generally located in the front of a church, adjoining the sanctuary, prior to Vatican II. During that period of time, only the clergy and the altar servers would be preparing for the liturgy in this room. There were also very few times when long processions would be used at the liturgies, therefore, the Sacristy's close proximity to the sanctuary was important.

Today, most churches have the Sacristy located near the entrance of the Gathering Space where the procession for the liturgy will begin and end. In addition to the clergy, the altar servers, lectors, music ministers, Eucharistic ministers and others participating in the liturgical services utilize this room for prayer and preparation. This room also contains the vestments worn by the clergy, the albs worn by the altar servers, linens, sacramental supplies and other items needed for liturgies.

The sacristy in our church prior to the renovation was the "smallest of all the churches in the Archdiocese." This space became insufficient with scarcely enough room for the clergy to stand, much less anyone else who needed to consult with them on the liturgy that was about to be celebrated. Our new Sacristy not only allows for ample space to store the necessary items, but also satisfies the space needs for everyone who is preparing for the liturgy. Our new Sacristy is a vast improvement for meeting our needs now and in the future.

This multi-functional room is on the north side of the Gathering Space. Some of its purposes include the following: small meetings during the week, the gathering of the children's Liturgy of the Word during the 9 and 10:30 a.m. weekend masses, RCIA candidates scripture discussion at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday mass, as a changing area for the newly baptized at the Easter Vigil and for brides. The priests can also meet with new parishioners in the meditation room.

The rite of Baptism, the first of the Sacraments of the Initiation, requires a prominent place for the celebration. Initiation into the Church is entrance into a Eucharistic community united in Jesus Christ. Because the Rites of Initiation of the Church begin with Baptism and are completed by the reception of the Eucharist, the baptismal font and its location reflect the Christian's journey through the waters of Baptism to the altar. That is why one of the focal points in the design of the church is its baptismal font. Our new font is located just inside the entry to the nave or worship area to signify the entrance into the Christian community through the baptismal waters. The site is in direct line with the altar to show the integral relationship between Baptism and Eucharist. The shape of the font is a seven-foot square. A square font is symbolic of the tomb of Christ. We go into the water to die and rise with Christ. Also, Baptism is a community event, thus, the design and size were chosen to assist with the community feeling. The font is made of granite and built so that full submersion of an adult is possible. The water is always flowing because we are baptized with "Living" water, which we are reminded of each time we enter the church and bless ourselves with the holy water.

An ambry is the cabinet where holy oils are stored. We keep three oils there: the oil for the anointing of the sick, the oil for the anointing of the catechumens and chrism for baptism, confirmation, priesthood and the consecration of altars. In our Archdiocese, Archbishop Burke blesses these oils in large containers at the Chrism Mass celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday at our Cathedral Basilica. They are then poured into smaller vessels and brought to all the parishes of the Archdiocese where they are entrusted to the care of the community.

Our ambry was designed, created and given to us as a gift from our liturgical artist, Steve Erspamer, S.M. The symbolism of this unique door is as follows.

• There are three distinct sections to the door. The top section holds the holy Chrism used in Baptism, Confirmation, Priesthood and the Consecration of Altars. In times past, kings were anointed with oil as a sign of consecration. Thus, a crown symbolizes the resting place for holy Chrism.
• The symbols of a branch and a star signify healing in the second section which holds the Oil of the Sick.
• The Cross is placed in the bottom section of the door for the Oil of the Catechumens. The sign of the cross seals those preparing for Baptism with Christ.

The Adoration Chapel or Reservation Chapel is the small area of seating behind the sanctuary wall. The tabernacle is the focal point of the chapel, a place for "reserving" the consecrated host, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Private devotion to the Paschal Mystery, Christ living, dying, rising and coming again, is found in praying before the Blessed Sacrament. At Christ, Prince of Peace we have adoration on the first Friday of every month from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. for the intention of increased vocations in the chapel, unless otherwise announced.

The rite of Baptism, the first of the Sacraments of the Initiation, requires a prominent place for the celebration. Initiation into the Church is entrance into a Eucharistic community united in Jesus Christ. Because the Rites of Initiation of the Church begin with Baptism and are completed by the reception of the Eucharist, the baptismal font and its location reflect the Christian's journey through the waters of Baptism to the altar. That is why one of the focal points in the design of the church is its baptismal font. Our new font is located just inside the entry to the nave or worship area to signify the entrance into the Christian community through the baptismal waters. The site is in direct line with the altar to show the integral relationship between Baptism and Eucharist. The shape of the font is a seven-foot square. A square font is symbolic of the tomb of Christ. We go into the water to die and rise with Christ. Also, Baptism is a community event, thus, the design and size were chosen to assist with the community feeling. The font is made of granite and built so that full submersion of an adult is possible. The water is always flowing because we are baptized with "Living" water, which we are reminded of each time we enter the church and bless ourselves with the holy water.

Our reconciliation rooms are spacious with the option of face to face or behind a screen. Behind the screen there is an option either to kneel or sit. The face to face option has a chair for the penitent.

Off of the north side walkway is a Meditation Garden that was dedicated in 2001 to Fr. Joe and Fr. Bob in honor of their service and guidance given to the parish. Here, parishioners can gather outside in fellowship or devotion with comfortable seating and a variety of perennial flowers and grasses. The center of the garden bears a bronze plaque of dedication...