ROAMIN'
CATHOLIC
By Charles A. Coulombe
ARTICLES
LETTERS
NEWS
Contents © 2000
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES:
Money
I had not been to St. Francis de Sales Church in Riverside (4268 Lime Street) since attending my father's funeral there on July 3, 1996. At the time I much admired the altar and tabernacle (painstakingly re-assembled by the then-pastor). Shortly after Dad's death, the pastor was transferred, and the parish placed under the care of an Italian order, the Consolata missionaries. At last, on June 4, 2000, the Seventh Sunday after Easter in the Church's calendar, (but Ascension Sunday in all the dioceses of Cardinal Mahony's Province) found me there once more, for the 9 a.m. Mass. Structurally, the altar had been replaced by the presider's throne, a table erected with bits and pieces, and the tabernacle once more banished to the right side of the sanctuary.The choir, together with organ and guitar, were mounted in the choir loft, and the primarily middle-aged to elderly Anglo congregation filled about three quarters of the church. A suited gentleman went to the lectern to announce the unusual calendar arrangements, advising the audience to turn to the readings for the Ascension.
To an old Baptist hymn, the sanctuary party made their appearance. The procession consisted of crucifer, candle porter, candle portress, and five servers, making up a party equally divided between altar girls and boys; the lector; two vested male extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist; Deacon James Dale; and the celebrant, Father Luigi Inverardi. These ignored the tabernacle, bowed to the crucifix, and assumed their places in the sanctuary, Fr. Luigi proceeding to his throne.
After bowing to the people and making an informal welcome, Fr. Luigi recited the confession of sins. The lector read the first two readings, after which Deacon Dale, flanked by the candle porter and portress holding their lights, read the Gospel. That concluded, the deacon launched into his homily. He informed us that he had been ordained at St. Francis de Sales twenty-five years before and was head of the financial committee. He and we should be grateful for the many gifts Christ has given us, especially His Body and Blood. We need to show this gratitude through contributing money. He was speaking on behalf of the Diocesan Development Fund, the diocese of San Bernardino's financial appeal. He spoke of the many needs of the diocese, which require money. Due to the influx of newcomers to area, five new parishes must be built, which require money. New schools must be erected, which require money. Catholic Social Services need money. Retired religious need money. The missions need money. Social justice entails money. Faithful Catholics will be happy to give money. God has given many gifts to us all us, and gratitude requires money.
Although the Ascension itself was not mentioned, the homily was timely. This fact did not seem to impress itself upon the oldest altar boy, a tall lad of perhaps twelve to fourteen years. He laid his head on the back of the empty chair next to him. The homily completed, the Creed was recited and the collection taken up. Father Luigi used Eucharistic Prayer III, during which the altar boy chatted and giggled quietly with the altar girls next to him. The extraordinary ministers, stationed nearby, did not seem to notice.
At the Our Father, the sanctuary party all held hands, as did the congregation. The communion song was "How Great Thou Art." After the service was concluded, the sanctuary party formed up to recess. The active altar boy appeared to goose the altar girl in front of him, who laughed softly. Then, once again bowing to the crucifix, the sanctuary party retreated down the aisle.