Joys and concerns, part one

St. Francis of Assisi
and
Old South Church
Windsor, Vermont
June 24, 2007

We vacationed in Vermont the last week of June – me, Neil, and Neil’s sister, Leslie. So this turned into another two-church Sunday. First we all attended the 9:00 mass at St. Francis of Assisi, and then Leslie and I went to the 10:30 service at Old South Church. I wasn’t able to do any preparatory study before going to these churches (no Internet connection where we were staying), so I just walked through the doors and worshipped with some Vermonters.

St. Francis of Assisi is a modern red brick building. Inside the sanctuary, folding chairs are arranged to seat about 200-250 people and there are probably at least 175 people present. There are few windows, but a large skylight admits light directly over the altar, which is a lovely, dramatic touch. An organ and piano sit to the left. The large crucifix affixed to the back wall features a fully robed, risen Christ holding up his arms in blessing. As is often the case with depictions of Christ, this one is really skinny; he would stand about 7 feet tall and weigh about 130 pounds if he came to life.

The priest, in a white robe with thin black stripes, processes up the aisle at the beginning of the service, along with two sweet young girls wearing white robes and flip-flops, and three women in ordinary clothing. I assume the man is Father Paul Belhumeur, listed on the front of the bulletin as the pastor of this church. A pianist, along with two men and two women, leads the congregational singing. I have my usual trouble finding hymns and readings in Catholic services, but I am not the only person who isn’t singing, and the other people who are not singing seem comfortable just standing there listening.

The priest reads the passage from Luke about the birth of John the Baptist, and tells us that today is the Feast of John the Baptist. He points out that this day comes immediately after the summer solstice, and that Christmas is the Sunday after the winter solstice. Thus, the yearly cycle of the sun and the ministries of John and Jesus correspond to John’s saying, “I must decrease, but he must increase.” Neat.

The priest reads a quotation from Patricia Sanchez, and says that today is a good day to reflect upon our own vocations – like John, we are called to announce Jesus. (Hey, I’m thinking about vocation on vacation!) His 12-15 minute sermon is very Christ-centered and clear.
People bring their children to the front with them when they go forward for Communion, and the priest lays hands on and blesses the children who are too young to partake, a very nice custom.

There is a closing prayer and then a closing hymn, but most people walk out in the middle of the hymn. (I later noticed an article in the parish newsletter titled “Why do some people leave Mass early?” Apparently there are Catholic churches in which large numbers of people arrive late and then exit immediately after taking Communion. The article said that this habit arose out of a misunderstanding of pre-Vatican II teaching, and that people should stay until the recessional hymn.) There is a small area in the rear of the sanctuary set up for coffee and refreshments, and I pick up a quick mini-muffin and some literature before leaving.

Photo courtesy Flickr user PhilipC.