On Sunday, December 20th, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the parishioners of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace received their Christmas present: the first Masses in the reincarnation of their magnificent church. Because of the special Rededication Mass at 12:00 noon, the Masses that day were scheduled one half-hour earlier than usual. Since the new altar and the sanctuary would not be blessed and dedicated until the noon Mass, the Masses at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM were celebrated using the temporary altar from the auditorium placed in front of the sanctuary. The astounding change from longtime decrepit and shabby splendor to majestic magnificence brought “ooohs” and “ahs” from all who entered, parishioner and visitor alike. Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, presided over the Mass and the Blessing of the Altar, and was so astonished at the change from when he last visited Our Lady of Solace that he gave it a new nickname: “The Cathedral of Coney Island.” Yet, in all its glory, the church continued to provide the feelings of a small, rural, and intimate church for which it has always been most beloved.