I had planned to go to another Church named St. Joseph, but one of my regular commenters (p. finley) invited me to St. Martin de Porres this weekend because they were having pancakes and he knows my fondness for them. The pancakes were delicious and they had Mrs Butterworth's for syrup. Yum!
I attended the 11 am Mass on Sunday, March 21. The Church itself is very modern and looks rather like an upside down boat. It's also bigger on the inside than it looks.
The music was accompanied by a piano, guitar and bass.
Opening: Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days
Offertory: You Are Mine
Communion: Hosea
Closing: Thy Word is a Lamp
The Responsorial Psalm was scheduled to be Psalm 126, but we used Psalm 91, which is an option. Because there were no catechumens or elect present, we used the Readings for Cycle C (The women about to be stoned) instead of Cycle A (Lazarus).
Father used Penitential Rite A and Eucharistic Prayer II (no bells at Consecration). The first intention was odd: It was asking for God to bring wealth to the Parish.
Father's homily was entitled "Erasing Our Sins." He started off with a discussion of what was Jesus drawing or doodling in the sand during the Gospel readings. St. Jerome suggested that it was the sins of the people accusing the women. Others have said Jesus was taking a moment to pray to God to decide what to do. Father suggested that Jesus was not writing but rather erasing. Father then connected this to the First Reading from Isaiah about those who wallow in the past. Prisoners of the past have no future. Father then suggested Jesus was erasing the patriarchal system of religion that helped to keep women in their place (uhhhh...). Father then jumped to a meeting 34 American Archbishops had in Rome a few years ago with the Vatican about how we hand out annulments like candy. A Vatican Cardinal was also concerned about the religious sisters who worked in the Tribunal, suggesting they were tender-hearted and shouldn't be exposed to such things. Father then went on to discuss how the Church needs to wake up and realize it is past the "pay, pray and obey" phase of its history. Father suggested that the Church needs to listen to the people and then speak with Jesus' voice. (Uhm...FYI: The Church isn't a democracy...and it is universal...what if you have two opposing cultures? but I digress) . Father then goes on to say that this Gospel story in John, about the adulterous woman, was not added until the 3rd or 4th century because the early Church leaders feared that it would encourage laxity in marriage by the women and rather encourages the men because the guy gets off scot-free in the story. Father then ended his detour and talked about how the woman was given a second chance and grace and how she left the encounter with her dignity in tact. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist (uh...) give us a second chance. Today is a second chance.
Right before the Mass ended, a Knight of Columbus came up to discuss the work the Knights of Columbus does. Apparently it is more than have pancakes. They support missions, schools, and seminarians. There is also a ladies auxiliary (did not know that!). Any male over 18 that is a practicing Catholic is welcome to join the Knights of Columbus. (You do get a sword at some point...)
Pictures:
St. Martin de Porres Exterior
It looks like an upside down boat kinda sorta...
St. Francis of Assisi Garden
Mary garden
In front of the main entrance
I like how it reflects the shape of the Church.
Baptistry
The font looks like the bottom half of Eve...from Wall-E
Close-Up of Lamb Window
The Holy Family
View from the Back Pew
The Holy Spiders make sure you pay attention during the Homily.
Relics underneath
Apparently, he set up a hospital for stray cats and dogs.
He's now going to be Jake's go-to saint :)
Relics of St. Martin de Porres
Mary and Joseph
These cabinets can be closed. Traditionally, this Sunday, Passion Sunday,
is when this was done.
The Eighth Station:
Jesus meets the Women.
Pancakes!
St. Martin de Porres Website
Pictures from a Parishoner
Pictures and discussion from Built St. Louis
So good to see you today!
ReplyDeleteThe Church is actually a french architecture. St Claire of Assisi in Chesterfield, shares the same style
I take it Fr. Szydlowski gave the homily. He tries. His forte is more one on one spiritual direction, which he excels at. His Homilies...meh. If you get past the homily, he is actually a pretty good priest . He is also the Associate.
The Icons are covered after Holy Thursday, when the altar is stripped. They are opened again during the easter vigil, along with the lights being turned back on for the Gloria (which I believe is the proper place for the church to "Come Alive" again at the vigil)
The Mary Shrine was added a few years ago, and was actually designed by a parishioner.
The stations were handmade by some guy years ago..his name escapes me. The Crucifix is actually from Our Lady of Mercy parish, that closed back in 2005 and merged with us. We were one of the few parishes that retained its original identity. Depending on who you talk to, you'll get a different perspective on that
I am glad you enjoyed the pancakes. This was our council's first attempt at something like this in a long time.
If you cut out the middle section of the homily, it was fine. I can tell Father tries...rare is the homily that brings such heavy hitters as Jerome and Augustine in. But the middle section was off kilter...
ReplyDeleteOf course one gets a different perspective when one talks to someone whose parished was merged into another.. it's can either be a community breaker or a community builder and it can be both depending on who you talk to. :)
It was great meeting you too!