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Contents © 2006
by Jim Holman.
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ROAMIN' CATHOLIC
January 2006

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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MONROVIA

Tabernacle? What Tabernacle?

I can never drive past Immaculate Conception Church (740 South Shamrock Avenue, Monrovia) without feeling a small thrill of fear; it was here some years ago that the pastor, Father Charles Ramirez, reprimanded me, just before giving me communion, for "not being an example to the community." Apparently, my crime at that afternoon weekday Mass was not coming up around the altar at the offertory when Father ordered us up. Although I was sure that the presumably larger numbers of faithful on a Sunday Mass would preclude a similar liturgical draft, it was with some apprehension that I entered the church on November 20, 2005, the feast of Christ the King.

It is an unusual building in that the nave is the original church, erected in 1905-6, but the two transepts were added half a century later; thus it is a T-shaped structure. Despite the liturgical activism of the current management, many of Immaculate Conception's architectural features have been retained: the tabernacle still sits atop the Collegeville-era high altar; much of the altar rail remains, and there are beautiful stained glass windows.

Just prior to the 10 a.m. Mass, the church rapidly filled with a congregation made up of all ages and races. Father Ramirez, clad in black clericals, was busy working the crowd, shaking hands and pressing the flesh. Whenever Father passed the tabernacle, he would give it a curt little nod, as one does at a party to someone he thinks he recognizes. He then retreated to the sacristy, while a young, suited cantor moved to the lectern and asked each of us to introduce himself to those around him. Following this exchange, the procession began. A young crucifer was followed by a candle-bearing pair, the lucifetrix two hands taller than her male companion. Then followed an adult acolyte figure, with the retired Irishman, Father Francis Cassidy, bringing up the rear as celebrant. Led by the cantor and accompanied by a piano, the whole congregation did a very good job with "To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King." Once arrived at his place, Father Cassidy censed the holy table round, while ignoring the tabernacle on the high altar.

Although the tabernacle went unrecog nized, the children of the congregation were gathered together and sent out for their own, separate Liturgy of the Word, in keeping with Methodist tradition. Those of us deemed old enough to remain heard the first reading (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17) from a well-groomed lectoress. This is the passage in which God compares Himself to a shepherd and reminds His flock that He will one day decide between the sheep and the goats.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23:1-6) had us responding, "the Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." The suited lector read St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, 15:20-26, 28, wherein he reminds us that all who are Christ's will be with Him when He destroys the Earth.

Father Cassidy next read the Gospel (Matthew 25:31-46). There Jesus speaks of what will transpire when He comes to judge us at the end of the world, reminding us that what we do to the least of His brethren -- or do not do -- we do unto Him, and will be rewarded accordingly.

Father Cassidy then plunged into his sermon. He invited us to consider two images, one of Hell, the other of Heaven. "For the first," he said in his reassuring Irish brogue, "imagine a banquet where all the best foods and wines are served, filled with people at every table, and well decorated. With all of this, however, there is one rule. The diners can only eat with spoons -- each of which has a handle about eight feet long. Imagine the chaos and confusion that results, as each of the people tries to feed himself with one of these things. The result is a complete breakdown of order.

"Now look at Heaven," Cassidy contin ued. "Same scene, same banquet, same rule. But there, everyone, rather than trying to feed himself, is using his spoon to feed someone else further down the table. All is order and harmony, and all are fed well."

This example, he assured us, demonstrates what Christ is saying in the Gospel -- that we are all closely united. We tend to forget that our differences, important as they seem ("no one is going to do my job for me, look after my family, take care of my affairs") are actually second to our unity. All people everywhere are actually one.

After that improving sentiment, we recited the creed. Then the catechumens and their sponsors were called up, blessed by the priest, and dismissed. Shortly after wards, the altar servers began preparing the table, bowing in the direction of the congregation rather than the tabernacle as they did so. Meanwhile, the collection baskets were passed. The children were then fetched and made to sit around the front of the altar table in the sanctuary. This bout of cuteness did not disturb Father Cassidy as he rounded the altar again with the censer, once more ignoring the tabernacle.

Then followed Eucharistic Prayer III, during which Father Cassidy genuflected, at last, to the consecrated elements. The Precious Blood was consecrated in, and distributed from, metal goblets rather than the iced tea pitchers and stemware so beloved of Cardinal Mahony. The Our Father was sung by the congregation, who also sang the Agnus Dei in Latin, while the communion song was an old Marty Haugen favorite. Afterwards all stood while an army of eucharistic ministers gathered to provide communion in both kinds. Those at the rear of the congregation processed up first to receive. When everyone had done so, we sat down.

Father Ramirez then appeared in his clericals to make an impassioned plea for filling out the pledge envelopes in the pews. He warned us that it was no good filling them out and then just putting cash in the collection during Mass because it would not be recorded toward the pledge. Father declared that all, even if they were not pledged to a specific amount, should use the envelopes, because otherwise a tax deduction could not be provided.

After delivering this message, the pastor returned to the sacristy while Father Cassidy rose and gave us his blessing. The sanctuary party recessed to organ accompaniment, followed by the traditional applause. After Mass, tamales were provided in addition to coffee and doughnuts in the parish hall.

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