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Contents © 1998
by Jim Holman.
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An Ascension All Can Enjoy

St. Elizabeth's is a true jewel of Spanish baroque architecture. Since my last visit, there have been changes to the sanctuary. Although the gorgeous high altar remains intact, the tabernacle once placed thereon has been moved to the small Sacred Heart altar on the left of the high altar, where a small votive lamp placed directly on the altar unobtrusively alerts interested parties to the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Some time ago the beautiful floor of the sanctuary was carpeted, and the ornate baptismal font placed just to left of the high altar. But since Christmas, a large wooden water-tub has been placed just inside where the altar rail used to be -- remnants of which still remain on each end of the sanctuary, directly in front of the two side altars.

A large congregation, primarily aging Anglos, and Latinos and Filipinos of all ages, filled the pews. Few genuflected toward the tabernacle. Meanwhile, the first communicants filed in, the boys dressed somewhat formally, the girls in little wedding dresses. Then the guitarist/lead vocalist, a middle-aged, husky, white-haired balding man took up his place in front of the side altar to Our Lady. Accompanying him were another male guitarist, and a male and a female vocalist. The lead guitarist first asked for a round of applause for the first communicants, and then ran through the opening psalm.

Then came the procession, when, as throughout the Mass, the music played was reminiscent of the folk revival of the late '50s and early '60s. The crucifetrix was followed by two altar girls; behind them came eight first communicants: two older boys and two younger, two older girls and two younger. They in turn were followed by lectoresses, one of whom held the Gospel-book high. The came the concelebrants: Associate Pastor Father Humberto Bernabe, a younger Hispanic, and St. John's Seminary professor Father Gary Landry, an older, mustachioed priest.

Once in the sanctuary, Father Bernabe reminded us that we were still in Easter. Filling an aspergill from the holy water tub, he proceeded to perform asperges. The folk did not kneel for it, but did cross themselves. After he returned to the sanctuary, the quartet struck up an unusual Gloria, in which a few of the alternating lines (but not all) were sung in Latin, followed by the English translation. After this, the school children were called out for a special "children's liturgy of the word."

The lectoresses read the first two readings. Then Father Bernabe read the Gospel. In his homily, Father informed us that "the Church has moved the observance of the Ascension to the following Monday so that every one can enjoy it." He further told us that we have become dependent upon the internet, cell phones, and the like, but that we should be dependent on Jesus. After this, the catechumens were dismissed, and then (rather than in its accustomed place after the Our Father), the handshake of peace was administered.

The older first communicants who had marched in the procession then proceeded to place linens on the heretofore empty holy table, after which Father Bernabe read the preface, and then a folksy guitar version of Holy, Holy, Holy was played. After this, the two priests used Eucharistic Prayer III, during which the congregation knelt. The Our Father was said with all, including the sanctuary party, joining hands.

The first communicants went up to receive on their hands, after which everyone went, back to front. This completed, another round of applause was called for the first communicants. The final blessing was given, and the sanctuary party recessed. Most of the congregation darted out after them, but a few remained. Almost all of the hold-outs then rewarded the quartet with more applause.

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