ROAMIN'
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ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
June 2004
SANTA SOPHIA, CASA DE ORO
At the foot of Mount Helix in the Casa de Oro neighborhood of Spring Valley sits the parish of Santa Sophia. The name is a Latinized form of the Greek Hagia Sophia meaning Holy Wisdom, a title of the Mother of God. The church building, dedicated in 1958, is notable for its high oval roof and interior ceiling, resembling the upper half of an egg. The church's tapering bell tower dominates the area's skyline.
Unique to this sanctuary is the largest indoor crucifix in North America, 36 feet tall with a 12-foot corpus. Made entirely of carved wood, it is a devotional masterpiece. Facing this at the rear of the church is a magnificent stained glass window of the Risen Christ.
An odd feature is the placement of the tabernacle in the narthex. Surrounded by a semi-circular stone wall, the tabernacle rests on a replica of the main altar, but at the opposite end of the church, near the restrooms.
I attended the 11:30 a.m. Mass here on the Fifth Sunday of Easter, which also happened to be Mother's Day. The celebrant was the pastor, Father Peter Escalante. A group of twelve singers provided contemporary music. Three men played guitar; two on acoustic rhythm and one on electric bass. The bass guitarist sometimes played piano.
As the sanctuary party entered we joined in an upbeat tune in 6/8 time: "Sing a New Song to the Lord." Three teenage altar-boys led the procession; a crucifer and two candle bearers. A woman in red skirt and jacket followed carrying a multi-colored Gospel book displaying the symbols of the Four Evangelists. Then came Father Peter vested in a gold chasuble with blue vertical stripes.
After the Confiteor we launched into John Foley's setting of the Gloria. The guitarists carried the slow-moving melody with an insistent rhythm. One of the singers was swaying, arms slightly extended. A few in the pews did likewise.
The red-suited woman gave the first reading, from Acts, in which Paul reminded the new Christians that "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." Verses from Psalm 145 extolled the glory of God's kingdom. A young lady rose to take the second reading, from Revelation, which described the kingdom descending in glory as the holy city and bride of God in which he will dwell forever. The singers performed a Revivalist-style Alleluia. Father Peter then read the Gospel, John 13:31-35, wherein Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another as the sign of his kingdom on earth.
Father Peter ignored the liturgical theme and spoke about Mother's Day. He noted that it is second only to Christmas for sending greeting-cards, and the biggest day of the year for florists. He related a humorous piece setting forth a mother's job description as her role changes through the years. He then focused on Mary as the ideal mother. He called to mind how Mary was depicted in the film "The Passion of the Christ" as one who silently suffered. This, he said, is true for all mothers. In the unspoken inner agony of raising a child they can all relate to the Mother of Sorrows. Father concluded with a prayer for God's blessing on all mothers, after which many women wiped away tears.
The offertory song was "On Eagles' Wings." A family brought up the gifts; two boys and a girl carried the collection baskets, while their older sister and mom presented the bread and wine.
At the Eucharistic prayer, the singers rendered the Sanctus to a minor-key tune with descants on the Hosanna. After each consecration, Father elevated the Host and Chalice to eye level for two seconds.
Everyone joined hands and sang the Our Father to a slow waltz melody giving the impression of a grand celebration of togetherness.
A troop of ten extraordinary ministers, seven women and three men, encircled the altar. One man brought a tray of eight common glass goblets to the table for the distribution of the Precious Blood. Church norms say, "Eucharistic vessels should be made from materials that are solid and regarded as noble."
As people processed for communion we sang "We Have Been Told" and "You Are Near."
After Mass I chatted with the bass guitarist/pianist, Frank. I learned that he has been doing music ministry at Santa Sophia for nine years. He's a professional musician and was to perform in a jazz trio that night at the Embassy Suites. I asked what playing at Mass meant to him. "This is my real mission," he said. "I could have had a good-paying job this morning, but I turned it down. We don't get paid for playing here, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Praising the Lord with music is what gives me joy."