When priest fell ill, Catholics took action

For Rev. William Bauer, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Greenville, Oct. 12 was both a fulfilling -- and frightening -- Sunday.

He began feeling ill throughout the celebration of the 8 a.m. Mass. After saying the closing prayers, he staggered off the altar in search of a chair, unable to breathe. Alarmed parishioners immediately called the Greenville Rescue Squad, nurses at the Mass hooked the priest up to an oxygen tank, and an ambulance rushed him to the emergency room.

The result: The parish was left without a priest less than an hour before the next Mass. Fortunately, Greenville Catholics, like Catholics across the Albany Diocese, had been trained for just such an eventuality.

Prepared

Nearly a dozen parishioners had attended training sessions offered by the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship about what happens to Sunday worship when there are no priests available to preside at Mass.

"We specifically chose a number of people who normally attend liturgies, so we'd have them available if we needed them," said Father Bauer, who was released from the hospital later that day with a clean bill of health.

To supplement the diocesan program, Father Bauer and Deacon Peter Sedlmeir instructed parishioners on the intricacies of putting together a liturgy. They showed the participants how to find the correct prayers and readings in the Sacramentary and Lectionary. The parishioners even put together sample services and critiqued one another's work.

The team also discussed little, practical things: what they would wear, how the lights and microphone work, how to assign lectors and Eucharistic ministers, how to work with the music ministers, and even how to access the sacristy.

Also, said Father Bauer, Catholics who normally participate in worship from the pews "had to become more comfortable standing up in front of the congregation and leading the prayers."

Filling in

On Oct. 12, all of the training was put into practice. The parishioners called Deacon Peter Sedlmeir at home, and he arrived to officiate at a communion service, assisted by some of the parishioners who had gone through the training.

Parishioners also contacted Sacred Heart Church in Cairo and obtained consecrated hosts because there weren't enough in the tabernacle at St. John's to cover everyone in attendance.

"The people in the parish have taken this ministry so much to heart," said Father Bauer. "It's nice to know that if the worst happens, people won't be left high and dry on Sunday, that they'll be able to worship and receive the Eucharist in a community that they know."

The rules regarding Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest are "absolutely necessary for the people, and I'm very grateful to Bishop Hubbard for allowing this to be put into practice in the Albany Diocese."

(11/13/03) [[In-content Ad]]