Parish travels through time

The next evening, a man whose father lost his arm in World War I prayed for his own son serving in the Navy at the onset of World War II.

One night later, a group of disinterested, modern-day teens complained about the length of the homily and wondered aloud about the future of their parish as the number of priests and nuns dwindles.

Those fictitious characters all played a part in "A Journey Through the Century," a recent series of reflections and devotions covering the early 1900s to the present, held over three nights at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Albany.

Time travel

In addition, devotions to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the Infant of Prague and the Holy Cross used novena texts that would commonly have been read during the time.

Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament even included such Latin hymns as "O Salutaris" and "Tantum Ergo" from the days before the Second Vatican Council.

Taste of century

"It's an occasion to put to rest 'the good old days' by showing what they really were like, and to be aware of the devotions of the Church and how our ancestors lived," he said.

The series wasn't meant to cover the entire century but "to give a taste, a moment from this century as we go forward into the next century with faith, hope and charity."

From Ireland

"Johnny was always the good man," Mrs. O'Malley said with her brogue, as a spotlight shone on her in the darkened church. "He even sent enough for me to go with Michael. Not every sponsor was that caring."

Michael's job is "work with a capital 'W'. Every day but the holy day itself and the dawn sees Michael going and the moon is his friend guiding his way to home," Mrs. O'Malley said. Their son is almost ready for school, and she thanked God that he was born an American.

Voyage

"The first is for myself. Make me stronger in my faith. Help me to believe in God, Our Father, and in His blessed Son," she prayed. "The second prayer is for those others: Michael's three brothers and the two wives. Johnny sent for them. What a fine welcome we shall give them all when they get to Albany. We all shall surely remember this year, 1912."

But the ship the family was taking to the U.S. was the Titanic.

War years

"It was not my less-than-great high school report card that kept me looking for a job," he said. "I flunked with the answer to the question: 'By any chance, are you Catholic?' 'No, that I am not. I am from the north of Ireland and I am a shaking Quaker.' The bosses saw right through me and I was out the door."

Somehow during the past 10 years, he managed to save some money, which a friend has convinced him to invest in the stock market.

"I am on my way home to tell the wife of our new riches, but I thought I'd better stop off here and give you a word of thanks," he prayed. "Let the stocks do well, and it is Confession every Saturday night. I shall even join the Holy Name Society."

He also pledged to "go back to some of those bosses who would not hire me and say in a really loud voice: 'In the love of the Infant Savior, I am Catholic.'"

Trials

"When the layoffs occurred, she was the steel in the spine of the family," he said. "Losing the youngest to polio was enough to break me in two, but she tied us all together. When I could not find local work, she was head of house and home."

He found work as a logger, and business was good because World War II was at hand. His father was the man who gave the previous evening's reflection and lost his arm in World War I; on this night, the man is praying for his own son, Charlie, who has enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II.

"Thanks to your holy Mother, he was not sent to the Atlantic," he prayed to the Infant of Prague. "Keep Charlie on that big, safe ship. Battleships can take a pounding. He's a good boy but needs a steady hand. I know there are many others asking for the same look-out for their kids. Just make sure the Navy keeps Charlie on the Arizona."

If his prayers are answered, the man promises to be a better Catholic. "You'd better get used to the idea of my coming regularly to church. I always keep my word. Let's just make it a quiet deal," he prayed.

Confronting death

"The years since the husband's death are piling up," she said. "He never got over the loss of Charlie. It almost seems as if he really thought no harm could come to the boy. He kept such a bitterness because of 'the deal he made.'"

She now has three sets of grandchildren and is getting on with life. World War II has ended, but the threat of Communism is strong, and she prayed "that no harm comes to us. The need for air raid drills in the school sets my heart in my throat. The war is still fresh in our minds, and now all this. I shall try to listen to Bishop Fulton Sheen this week."

Another concern is the changing format of the Mass. "The pastor is starting a dialogue Mass. I always thought the dialogue was supposed to be between the priest and God," she said. "I come to church to be quiet. My responses should all be in silence. How at my age am I to learn Latin?"

Nowadays

"My mom said I had to come or lose cable TV," Jessica told her friends. "She said this is the third night of prayer and stuff for Y2K. What does Old Grandpa Pastor know about Y2K?"

"He'll be lucky to get to Thanksgiving, much less the new century," Steve remarked. "God, can he talk! He must have a tube attached to allow for air."

They began talking about the possibility of closing St. Teresa's if fewer people came, but Shawn didn't think that would happen. "People always go to church. I like Christmas Eve the best. I stand in the back and hear the music. The crowds are great," he said.

"Big deal. Once a year isn't much," Steve pointed out.

"My mother says the real trouble is the lack of priests and nuns," Jessica said. "She says more kids should sign up for priest and nun school. I told her I would, and she says, 'Pay off the car loan first.'"

Steve has had enough of church and finishes with, "I've got things to do and, besides, I'll be back for Christmas."

Making points

"My mother and I used to go all the time when they were in Latin," Mrs. Page said.

"You could go to any church in the city of Albany and find one," Mrs. Reedy pointed out. She also was pleased that teens were involved, their staged commentary aside. "I think kids are starting to focus more on religion," she said.

(09-23-99) [[In-content Ad]]