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Contents © 2004
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
January 2004

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SAINT COLUMBA, SERRA MESA

Saint Columba parish, named for the sixth century Irish "Apostle of the Scots," serves the area of Serra Mesa, part of the original land grant which the King of Spain deeded to the San Diego Mission. First organized as a parish in 1955, the church was dedicated in 1958. Its sanctuary was remodeled in 1966 "in the light of Vatican II guidelines." The church was renovated more thoroughly in 1991.

Inside, all bless themselves from one holy water/baptismal font located near the beginning of the center aisle. The Stations of the Cross resemble comic book pictures painted on tile. Chairs for the celebrant and server sit to the right of the small marble altar. The centerpiece of the sanctuary is the huge woodcarved Risen Christ with arms extended in welcome. Hanging against a background of Cape Cod Gray, the carving is flanked by banners displaying images of wheat and grapes.

In the right transept sits an electronic organ. Colored plate glass windows carry Marian acclamations, but Our Lady has no visible representation other than in a small alcove containing a holy family statue. The left transept contains a cry room. The Blessed Sacrament resides in a chapel to the left of the sanctuary. The former communion rail surrounds the tabernacle. A clear lamp, rather than the traditional red, burns nearby.

I attended the 7:30 a.m. Mass on December 7, the second Sunday in Advent. The celebrant was Father Frank Mannion, a priest in residence at Saint Columba. Speaking to him briefly after Mass I learned he is also involved in ministry to the Korean community.

Music was provided by an organist and a cantor -- a gentleman sporting brown denims and cowboy boots, a string tie on his white western shirt, and a neatly trimmed salt and pepper beard. Though short in stature, this fellow had a booming voice.

At the entrance procession Father Mannion, vested in violet, approached the altar behind an all female crew. A crucifetrix led the way, followed by two candle bearers, while a blonde lectoress in black pants, boots, and gray sweater carried up the Gospel book. She labored with a hoarse voice, yet managed to read both lessons and lead the intercessions.

Father Mannion has a very mild Irish brogue and a no nonsense attitude toward the liturgy. After the Sign of the Cross there was no personalized greeting, but a direct introduction to the Confiteor. The cantor intoned the Kyrie and all responded, singing the simple chant.

In the first reading, from the fifth chapter of Baruch, the Lord tells Jerusalem that he will lead her into glory, having leveled mountains and filled in gorges to prepare her way. The cantor sang the verses of Psalm 125 with the refrain, "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy." Returning to the pulpit, the lectoress read the second lesson, from Saint Paul to the Philippians, in which he prays that they may be blameless in the Day of Christ. Following the Alleluia, Father Mannion proclaimed the Gospel, Luke 3:1-6, in which the baptism of Saint John prepares all to see the glory of the Messiah and his reign in the Church.

Father's homily stressed two points: the most important thing in being a Christian is loving our neighbor, and the Church exists to help us accomplish this. He said that not all are called to be part of the Church, but we who are help them spiritually by praying for them.

During the preparation of the gifts we sang "O Come, Divine Messiah." An elderly husband and wife brought up the bread and wine. Father said Eucharistic Prayer II. After each consecration he raised the Host and Chalice in one hand to eye level for between one and two seconds.

We chanted the Our Father without organ accompaniment. As far as I could see, nobody held hands during the prayer. At the Agnus Dei, six extraordinary ministers came forward; five women and one man. One of the women went to the Tabernacle to bring the ciborium to the altar. The same woman returned it after communion. Others performed the purification of the vessels in the sacristy, in apparent contradiction of the Vatican instructions "On the Participation of the Laity in the Sacred Liturgy" which reserves these functions to priests.

As the sanctuary party recessed we sang "Comfort, Comfort, O My People."

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