ROAMIN'
CATHOLIC

ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
April 2004

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SAN AGOSTIN, SCOTT'S VALLEYSo Cute

On Sunday, February 15, I entered San Agostin's church in Scott's Valley from the side entrance, where I was greeted by an octagonal immersion baptismal font. The church has sort of a disorienting effect, probably due to it's asymmetrical elements. The altar is centered, with an equal number of pews on its left and right sides. But a large curtain behind the altar, which opened from the viewer's right, was only partially drawn. The tabernacle was uninvitingly situated off to the side with no accompanying kneelers. A crucifix was placed behind the altar, though just off to the left. What clashed most with my sensibilities was a dark blue cloth draped over the front of the altar, forming a skewed triangle. The only other adornments I observed were stations of the cross around the periphery of the church and statues of Jesus and Mary off to the side. There were about eight or so rows of pews. Fold-up chairs were used in the back half of the Church, allowing the Church to have a multi-purpose function.

The church erupted into lively chatter after a woman instructed the congregation to greet those around us. I shook hands with adjacent, unenthusiastic parishioners, without introductions. The piano-accompanied, all-women chorus located to the right of the sanctuary interrupted the welcoming-session with the song, "Table of Plenty." Extraordinary ministers processed in pairs with large gaps between each pair -- and they bowed to the altar before withdrawing to the pews.

A green-clad Father Matthew Pennington processed in alongside a man in a white alb and a green stole, worn diagonally across his chest. Father greeted us very casually: "you're probably wondering 'who is that walking with Father?'" He explained it was Deacon Russ Brown, who will be ordained in the diocese of Monterey in July of this year. "Let's welcome him," Father Pennington invited. So we applauded.

The piano played an unusually interactive part throughout the liturgy. When Father invoked, "let us gather in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," the piano played tranquil, pastoral background music. The serene sounds of the piano continued as Father called upon us to reflect and ask for God's presence. The piano flowed seamlessly into the kyrie, the tropes spoken by Deacon Brown. The music reminded me of Saturday Night Live's "Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey." The priest concluded the collect, seasoned with the background music of the piano, which then streamed right into the intro to a vigorous rendition of "Glory to God," sung by the whole congregation.

The children were led out of the church for their own Liturgy of the Word. Their march down the aisle marked a temporary respite from the piano. Some laughed at the charming spectacle. Then a lectoress read from the prophet Jeremiah -- a capella, followed by a long silence. In place of the psalm response, we sang "Roots in the Earth," followed by a reading from 1 Corinthians, followed by another long silence.

Deacon Russ started off on the wrong foot when reading the Gospel by announcing he would read from the Gospel of Matthew -- then sheepishly correcting himself, "according to Luke." Seemingly responding to anything that even hinted of cuteness, the congregation laughed. The Gospel was from Luke's "Sermon on the Plain." When the deacon read each beatitude, happy music was played, so timed so that it would fill the gaps of silence between each beatitude. During the "woes," the pianist played music to evoke a downcast mood. At the end of the Gospel, the piano launched us back into the lively alleluia.

Father began his sermon by telling us about how, years ago, he was asked to do an invocation at a high school awards ceremony. One boy really stood out as being athletic, intelligent, good looking, well built, good smile -- he was a stunning person, as was his family. The father was a wealthy businessman. They seemed to have achieved the American Dream. They were not religious people, so Father did not actually know them. Soon after, the boy was diagnosed with cancer and died a year later. Although the family had no Christian affiliation, they wanted a Christian burial for their son, and Father was called to do the funeral. Doing funerals for young people, he explained, is hard enough; but what made this situation particularly difficult was that the family had no faith. There was nothing Father could say or do to bring them comfort. "The Death and Resurrection of Jesus is such a foundation of who we are, that I couldn't bring any words of hope to them." "It was like saying, let's all speak Chinese." As long as they had good health and lots of money, everything was fine. "We must prepare ourselves to be insulted, to be poor, to be sick, excluded," Father Pennington said.

We meditated a few moments in silence.

The tranquil music returned as Father called the catechumens forward. While they processed out, Father asked us to raise our hands to bless them.

Following the catechumens' dismissal, we sang a bouncy and carefree sounding Credo, treating the first few lines as the chorus. At the offertory we sang, "Blest Are They." Father used a clear glass chalice, resembling a simple wineglass. The persistent piano music continued throughout the offertory up to the preface.

The "Holy, Holy, Holy" was from the "Mass of Life." All kneeled for Eucharistic prayer number two, at which time the piano ceased. The piano returned to the Eucharistic prayer after the consecration. Father improvised the prayer of the minor elevation, "through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ..." All held hands, even across aisles, and recited the "Our Father." For the very social kiss of peace, I shook the hands of the people I greeted at the beginning of Mass.

During communion, one woman extraordinary minister made cute faces at all the children receiving from her. The communion songs were "As Grains of Wheat" and "Gifts of Finest Wheat." After communion, the priest told us it was great having a deacon with us. "It's certainly good for my ego" -- to which the congregation was quick to bust into laughter.

Father then wished us a pleasant [Martin Luther King, Jr.] holiday. We concluded with "We Are the Light of the World," followed by the modern tradition of clapping. The congregation quickly dispersed.

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