ROAMIN'
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2003 ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
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by Jim Holman.
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HOLY FAMILY, SOUTH PASADENA

Snapping Fingers and Shimmying on All Souls

Holy Family Church (1501 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena) is an architectural gem. A Spanish Baroque legacy (though it does boast a very few gothic touches, such as a rose window in front) from the golden age of L.A. church architecture, it was built in 1928. The church's interior is little spoiled, save for the obligatory nicked altar rail, the chopping off and pulling forward of the altar's mensa, and the banishing of the tabernacle to a side altar to make way for the priest's throne. But the exquisite carved wooden reredos with its scenes from the lives of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph remains intact, as does the large painting of St. Joseph's death over the side altar.

Likewise, the pastor, Monsignor Clement Connolly, harkens back to a past era -- in his case, the 1960s. In keeping with this general orientation, he penned some lines regarding papally-condemned, '60s theologian Hans Küng's new book, My Struggle for Freedom, for the November 2 bulletin of his church. "This is a classic and will captivate the multitude who know Küng, have read him or seek a fascinating perspective of the Church in the last fifty years," writes Connolly. "By his own admission he is a militant. This spirit of inquisition is no small gift to the Church and at no small cost to the prophet. Reading with him you become his companion in searching and struggling, tasting the pain of rejection and failure. It's a magnificent journey which reassures the high value of life as an unfinished symphony; mercifully beautiful in light and darkness. In faith the best and worst are a harmony. In the end Hans Küng decides that the future configuration of the Church is unclear, his fiercest realizations unrealized and yet he is grateful. Now after 75 years of life he is peaceful, by the grace of God. A Christ figure for sure."

Given Monsignor's devotion to a bygone age, it was with some apprehension that I attended the 5:30 p.m. Mass on November 2, 2003, the Feast of All Souls. Having arrived early, I enjoyed the rehearsals of the professional youth band; one melody in particular was very reminiscent of the '60s hit, "I Saw Her Again Last Night." So catching was it that the four little altar girls and boys (two apiece) were snapping their fingers and shimmying as they set up the sanctuary for the coming celebration.

At last, all was in readiness; the church was loosely filled with a youngish crowd (emphasis on the "-ish"), primarily Anglo. One young man in lay clothes clutched a processional cross made up of five brown squares, all equal in size, and lacking a corpus. Behind him, two of the little altar children, boy and girl, grimly clutched their candles. The remaining two followed behind, in turn succeeded by an earnest young lad in khakis and dress shirt carrying the lectionary. At last came the celebrant; not Monsignor, alas, but Father Daniel Fox, the associate pastor. Meanwhile, the band (mostly young, but including one grizzled and skillful veteran on the drums) blazed away at the rockin' "Sing Alleluia, Sing," one of Gary Ault's best from 1973.

Cross and candles deposited, the acolytes and acolytesses took their seats, as did the young lector. Father Fox led us in the confiteor, after which the kyrie was sung in English, with vigorous accompaniment from the band. The lector read Isaiah 25:6, 7-9 and Romans 6:3-9 in a strong, mature voice; his readings were punctuated by Marty Haugen's rendering of "Shepherd Me, O God" as the responsorial psalm. Father Fox mounted the ornate pulpit to read the Gospel, John 6:37-40.

Father then descended to center stage to deliver his homily. He told us that all will be saved who believe in Jesus and that we should remember this and be comforted by it. He added that God loves us and will let nothing get in the way between Him and us. All Souls' Day, we were informed, is a time to remember all of our deceased loved ones, who are now with the Father. It is a good thing to remember them. As a last thought, Father did mention that we should pray for them, too.

After the homily were the prayers of intercession, at the end of which was a reading of the book of remembrance by the lector. This included the names of parishioners who had died during the week, of people who had died in the brush fires during that period, and of the soldiers, sailors, and civilians on all sides who had died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This somber task completed, a family brought up the gifts, while the band struck up Bob Hurd's "Our Blessing Cup." After this, Father recited Eucharistic Prayer III. Before him on the altar rested an ornate Carolingian-style gold chalice, an earthenware paten, a carafe of wine, and several large platefuls of hosts. After the Sacred Species were consecrated, the Our Father and Lamb of God were sung to the band's lively playing. The sign of peace in between was vigorous.

Nine extraordinary Eucharistic ministers next came up; one took the chalice from the altar, drank, and passed it on. The nine then arranged themselves at various spots in front, and the communion distribution began. As most of the communicants received in the hand, the band first played David Haas' "Now We Remain," followed by another tune, which turned out to be the rockin' piece they had rehearsed before Mass. Its refrain was "I want to be holy, just like you," and it set the now-seated altar boys and girls to toe-tapping and swaying in their seats.

After communion was finished, the final prayers were said; Father Fox gave the blessing, and then led the congregation in applause for the truly professional work of the band. The latter then played a very danceable cha-cha, Resucito, while the sanctuary party (less the lector, who was left behind and made his own way out) recessed. The young male soloist did an excellent job, and the song finished with an instrumental "cha-cha-cha." After a second round of applause, the congregation broke up. There were no coffee and doughnuts, given the lateness of the hour.

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