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Contents © 2004
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
May 2004

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SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST, UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS

On the corner of Normal Street and Polk Avenue in University Heights stands Saint John the Evangelist Church. The present basilica-style structure with its gabled tower was dedicated in 1952, though the parish dates from 1913.

The church's nave features thirteen Saints portrayed in stained glass. Each has his or her name inscribed on the panel. A walk-in alcove on the left honors Our Lady of Fatima, who holds an enormous silver rosary. Above her, Saint John the Evangelist is portrayed leaning on Jesus' breast at the last supper.

At the end of the nave, the tabernacle -- a golden box -- rests on a pedestal to the left of the sanctuary. Holy Family statues occupy the pedestal on the opposite side.

I attended Mass on the Vigil of Palm Sunday. Father William Dillard, the parish pastor, celebrated. Deacon Carl Shelton assisted him and preached the homily. One woman served as cantor, another as lector. Each wore a black skirt and a red blouse.

The commemoration of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem took place inside the church. With palm leaves uplifted we heard the Gospel, Luke 19: 28-40, which Father Dillard read at the door of the nave. An acolyte carried a processional crucifix festooned with palm fronds. Father Dillard sprinkled the congregation with Holy Water. Only a few made the sign of the cross as he sprinkled them. As Father Dillard censed the sanctuary, the fragrance drifted into the nave. Meanwhile the cantor repeated the festal antiphon: "Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."

The first reading from Isaiah 50, vividly predicted the scourging, striking and spitting which the suffering servant willingly endured. The responsorial psalm verses continued the prophecy of the Lord's dereliction on the cross, punctuated with the refrain, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

The second reading, from Philippians, was Saint Paul's hymn to the humiliation and glorification of Christ. Then we united in the Passion narrative, Father Dillard taking the role of Christ, Deacon Shelton the narrator, the lector various other voices, and we pewfolk played the crowd.

Deacon Shelton began his sermon with the story of a boy named Andrew who was thrilled to get a part in a passion play. The director told him simply to follow the example of the men in red turbans and do as they did. Andrew was delighted when in the Palm Sunday scene he joined the red-turbaned men crying out "Hosanna to the Son of David!" However, in the Good Friday scene he was horrified when he realized that the same men in red turbans were calling for Jesus' condemnation and he had to join them in screaming, "Crucify him!" Deacon Shelton used this story to illustrate the dangers of simply following the lead of men who wield power and influence in the world. Those who do so glorify Christ at one time and then denounce him at another, just as did the crowd on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. To avoid this, Deacon Shelton insisted, requires complete fidelity to Christ. He then urged us to observe the upcoming Triduum faithfully, and make use of those days to show our loyalty to Jesus in the sight of all.

Following the profession of Faith, Deacon Shelton led the General Intercessions. Most of these were quite ordinary; petitions for Pope John Paul II, for the clergy, civic leaders, peace and justice, etc. One petition particularly caught my attention: "For the Jewish people, that they may deepen their relationship with God in their covenant and continue to be faithful to him."

After Mass I approached Deacon Shelton in the narthex and asked what prompted his petition for the Jews. He noted that they are celebrating Passover this week, and the Holy Father wants us to be aware of the special relationship Catholics have to Jews as our "elder brothers in the faith." I asked if he believed that the New Covenant has annulled and superceded the former covenant so that those who remain under that covenant will be lost unless they are converted to faith in Jesus Christ. He denied this, again appealing to statements of the Pope. I inquired about the old prayers for the "perfidious Jews, that they may be converted." He explained that we no longer use such language. At last I asked if his petition could be construed as a prayer for their conversion, and he told me, "No. We do not seek to convert the Jewish people. They may not have the fullness of truth but what they have is sufficient for them."

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