ROAMIN'
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ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
November 2005
SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS, LEMON GROVE
Saint John of the Cross parish, founded in 1939 and named for the 16th century Spanish Carmelite reformer and mystical theologian, serves the people of Lemon Grove. The white basilica with its mission façade and blue-domed bell tower stands as a landmark in "the Grove."
The church's interior has preserved certain traditional elements congruent with its exterior, for example, fine stained glass stations of the cross, and the crucifix on the east wall. But for the most part, modernist trends prevail. Statues are tucked away in walk-in alcoves. The centerpiece of the wall behind the altar displays a nondescript pattern of pastels reminiscent of a secular conference room.
The Blessed Sacrament is housed in a chapel adjacent to the nave. The chapel, dedicated to perpetual adoration, boasts lovely stained glass windows. Yet the placement of Our Lord's repository creates an obscene suggestion. The cylindrical tabernacle rests atop a pillar of identical circumference rising from the center of the floor.
I attended the vigil Mass on Saturday October 15th for the 29th Sunday in ordinary time. Monsignor Edward "Ned" Brockhaus, Saint John's pastor, celebrated. He was assisted at communion by seven extraordinary ministers -- six women and one man.
Having arrived early, I saw the hymn numbers had been posted and looked up in Today's Missal -- Music Issue the four songs we would sing during Mass: Sing a New Song to the Lord, Center of My Life, Eagle's Wings, and Though the Mountains May Fall. I noticed that each was a post-conciliar product; each was based on psalm texts; and none made any clear reference to Jesus Christ. I wondered if the writers were attempting to produce church-synagogue crossover material.
A young blonde woman supported by a pianist led the singing of Bob Hurd's 1991 Mass of Glory. The cantoress had a Country Western vocalization style, while the lady on piano pounded out syncopated rhythms and jazz harmonies; together they made a Country-R&B fusion often heard on the Protestant radio station K-PRAISE.
As we sang the bouncy melody of Grayson Brown's 1992 paraphrase of Psalm 96, Sing a New Song to the Lord, the sanctuary party entered: A crucifer flanked by two girls as light bearers led the way, followed by a lector in dark slacks and polo shirt walking with palms joined together, and Monsignor Ned in a kelly green chasuble with gold embroidery.
Arriving at the altar, Monsignor Ned bent over to venerate the place of sacrifice, but being a tall man and apparently not wanting to risk loss of balance, his lips only came to about eight inches above the table. He embellished the sign of the cross, saying, "Once again, we gather together in the name of the Father," et cetera. He greeted us in a relaxed Midwestern drawl that reminded me of Garrison Keilor: "Well, good evening to you all."
"Good evening, Monsignor," everyone replied. He then asked us to turn to our neighbors and introduce ourselves. A wave of affability swept over the assembly, and in the ensuing thirty seconds I "met" Bea, Estelle, Betty and Maria.
The music of the Lord Have Mercy had the feeling and the call-and-response pattern of a Black spiritual. The keyboardist and vocalist then turned up the volume and delivered the Glory to God in Country-R&B fusion.
The gentleman in the procession read the first lesson, from Isaiah, in which the Lord proclaims that he alone is ruler of the nations, and Cyrus' power is from God. The pianist then switched to pipe organ and gave gentle support as the cantoress led us in the Today's Missal setting of Psalm 96 with the refrain "Give the Lord glory and honor." A little woman with short white hair, green pants, and navy sport coat then stepped up to read the second lesson, in which Saint Paul assures the Thessalonians that he is mindful of their faith, hope, and love. After an R&B Alleluia, Monsignor Ned proclaimed the gospel -- but not the one appointed. By mistake he read the parable of the talents for the 33rd Sunday, instead of the day's gospel; the Lord's answer to the Pharisees: "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Monsignor Ned reminded everyone that October is the parish's financial awareness month, and asked us to read the annual financial report in the bulletin. He then turned over the pulpit to two lay speakers. First up was Mary, a grey-haired lady in a blue dress with smiling lips and twinkling eyes. She told of being raised as a Catholic with an emphasis on keeping the Church's rules. "But when I got into the charismatic movement and was baptized in the Holy Spirit the Bible really came alive for me."
After telling of the blessings received during 57 years of marriage, she said, "The Lord will not be outdone in generosity." She received a big round of applause.
Next we heard from Bill, a balding man in a dark suit who gave an extensive biblical presentation on the principles of sacrificial giving. Using a plethora of scripture passages he drove home that when we give God what is God's -- which is everything, he will not let us go hungry but supply "all our needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus."