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by Jim Holman.
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Polyphony and Altar Girls

Apart from these features, St. Charles also boasts the choir direction of Paul Salumonovich, K.S.G., one of the Southland's best known and most talented church musicians. I was looking forward to attending Mass there on October 18, the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which is observed as World Mission Sunday.

It was pleasing to see in the bulletin the following quote from the pastoral letter, "On Human Life," of Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver: "A man and a woman participate uniquely in the glory of God by their ability to co-create new life with Him. At the heart of contraception, however, it is the assumption that fertility is an infection which must be attacked and controlled exactly as antibiotics attack bacteria. In this attitude, one can also see the organic link between contraception and abortion. If fertility can be misrepresented as an infection to be attacked, so too can new life."

The congregation, although predominantly Anglo and middle-aged to elderly, did have a large number of young people and Latinos, Asians, and blacks.

The procession, made up of the priest (a native of India), a crucifetrix, and three altar girls, came up the aisle to the tune of "Come Holy Ghost." Once the priest and his acolytes were ensconced in the sanctuary, the choir sang the Kyrie and Gloria. Here, Salomunovich's expertise and that of his choir became apparent. They sang a beautiful polyphonic Mass by Lodovico da Viadana (1654-1627). The first two readings (done by a lector) were interspersed with the choir-led responsorial psalms. The Gospel reading was St. Luke 18:1-18, which ends with Christ's famous question, "When the Son of Man returns, will he find faith upon the earth?"

It being World Mission Sunday, the priest preached at great length upon the missions and the need for them. He spoke of the importance of prayer in making our Christian life meaningful, and told of the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi. Recounting Gandhi's 1931 visit to London with then-Viceroy Lord Irwin (later Lord Halifax), the priest quoted Gandhi's reply to Halifax's question regarding a real solution to Britain's difficulties with India: "a solution will come when the people of both countries really believe the Sermon on the Mount." The priest went on to say that Vatican II taught that there is salvation outside the Church, but that we should be missionaries because that is what we do as followers of Christ.

After the recitation of the Creed, a procession brought up the gifts--a large dish (there were to be no reserved hosts used at this Mass), and a flagon of wine similar to those golden flagons used at High Anglican services. During the Offertory the choir and congregation sang "Immaculate Mary," followed by the choir alone with "O Sanctissima."

The priest chanted the Sursum Corda in English, and the Preface. Eucharistic Prayer number three was employed (during which the people knelt), and the Our Father were sung by the choir and congregation. Congregants enjoyed a vigorous handshake of peace, followed by the Agnus Dei from Viadana's Mass.

At the communion, the choir sang "Gift of Finest Wheat," the theme song of the 1976 Eucharistic Congress held in concert with the Bicentennial. Six Eucharistic Ministers, evenly divided between men and women, came out, as did an additional priest. The two clerics gave out the Eucharist at the sanctuary gates, while the others scattered to the sides and rear. Most received on the hand, standing. Then the blessing was given, and at last priest and girls recessed to the tune of "Now Thank We All Our God." Most of the people left as well, but a number remained to enjoy the closing hymn. At its finish, these applauded.

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