Reflection #70 (Only 1006 to go): Mass at Holy Family

                  This Sunday (Jan. 11), I went to Mass at Holy Family Church.  It was the last Mass that Fr. George Lane, SJ, would be celebrating before he headed out to his new assignment at Columbiere in Michigan.  In a couple of months, I intend to write about Fr. Lane, but this article is about my experience at Holy Family.  I assume that the reader knows that Holy Family is the church next to St. Ignatius.  The Mass was lively, spirited, filled with energy and great joy, and it could hardly have been more different in tone and energy from the Masses that I usually attend in my home parish. 

When I was a youngster, the canon of the Mass was said in Latin, and Sister Agnes justified it by telling us that no matter where in the world you attended Mass, it would be the same   After Vatican II, in 1962, the canon would be said in the vernacular.  Some folks I know make a real effort to go to a Latin Mass.

                  The Mass at Holy Family had all of the critical parts, the offertory, the consecration and the communion, and, in that respect, was the same as all other Masses.  However, in the parish I attend, the Masses are relatively quiet and serene.   The dress-code is more “relaxed” than when I was a kid…walking-shorts, athletic jerseys and flip-flops.  Low-volume talking seems to be permitted before the Mass starts now, and even (gasp) applause during the service when a baptism or renewal of vows is celebrated.

                  Mass at Holy Family had a high level of energy throughout the service.  The kiss/handshake of peace took over 10 minutes, with conversations carried on, and parishioners walking up and down the aisles greeting and hugging.  The music was magnificent and energizing, reminiscent of the church services in the south.  This wasn’t surprising considering that a large portion…not all…of the parishioners were African-American.

                  If the opportunity, and the spirit, moves you, consider attending Mass there on some Sunday.

                  Attending this Mass reminded me of some very interesting Masses that I have attended over the last couple of years.  In County Mayo, Ireland, Islaneady Church (It’s real name is “St. Patrick’s”, but the locals call it “Islandeady Church”.) celebrates Mass in the parish cemetery on the appropriately named “Cemetery Sunday”.  It was a highlight of our most recent visit to the Emerald Isle.  High on the hill at the center of the cemetery, there was an altar and the parishioners stood or sat near the graves of their departed family members.  It was done beautifully, tastefully and with great respect.  It truly was one of the most moving Masses that I have attended.

                  This past fall, my wife and I took a trip to Quebec City, and while we were there, we went to the Shrine of St.-Anne-De-Beaupre.   A memorial Mass was just starting, so we stayed and attended.  It was lovely, and all in French.  There had to have been over a dozen priests concelebrating, and we are pretty sure that the person for whom the Mass was being said was not a priest.  Again, while we don’t speak or understand French, we recognized all of the parts of the canon, and it was very inspiring.  Viva la difference.

                  I guess my point in this narrative is that, while the Mass itself is a beautiful celebration, the variety in the way it is celebrated can be inspiring and up-lifting. 

Reflection #70 (Only 1006 to go): Improv and Other Non-athletic Activities

In early November, my wife and I went to Ignatius to watch our granddaughter perform as a part of the Improv Troop.   In our biased opinion, she was the best.  OK, OK!  It’s grandma and grandpa making that call, but she must be pretty good, because she is one of the three leaders of the group.

Improv is an interesting activity.   For the uninitiated, it is one of the performing arts, but there is no written script.  The cast participates in scenes that are called “games” in which the audience calls out certain conditions such as the characters occupation, nationality, and even personality type.   The actors must try to perform within those parameters with the objective being humor.

Image yourself on stage in front of family, friends and total strangers, being instructed to play, for example, a plumber with a French accent, trying to convince an space alien that he’s on the wrong planet, and doing it with no script.  Then make it funny and entertaining.   This requires both intelligence and courage.   I can’t think of any other realm in which this is done…except, of course, teaching math.

           

            I got to thinking about how many changes have occurred in the non-athletic extra-curriculars since I started at Ignatius 50-some years ago, so I went to the 1963 and 2013 yearbooks to compare.  One obvious difference is the number of activities.  The ’63 yearbook listed 21 activities; the 2013 yearbook listed 55.  It is probably needless to say that “Improv” was not an activity in ’63.   the activities list in 1963 included Potpourri, the talent show, and the Melody Knights which was the band.  Activities that were listed then-and-now were the Harlequins, Forensics and the Chess Team.  Perhaps counting the yearbook entries may not give the exact number for each year, but I’m pretty sure that it is a good indication.

There were also some other interesting differences.  For example, in 1963 there were no “ethic clubs”; in 2013, there were 8 listed.  This is not the same as “language” clubs.  In ’63 there was the French Club; in ’13, there were French, Latin, Spanish and Chinese. 

Another significant difference is the shift away from strictly religious organizations.   In ’63 there were the Mass Servers, the Apostleship of Prayer and Sodality.   Since then, activities have moved more toward “service” organizations, such as Peer Community Tutoring, Outdoor Ecology Club, Respect-Life Club, IETA, SCSA and SADD.  This reflects the direction that society at-large has moved.  There are several activities in which the purpose is not immediately evident, for example, Body, Mind and Spirit and  Do It Yourself Club.

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2015 will be the best year yet…but not as good as 2016. 

Reflection #69 (Only 1007 to go): The Passing of a Great Lady (Pt. 2)

In Reminiscence #66, I introduced the readers to a lady, Joan Terracina, who had worked at Ignatius for 50 years as the secretary to the treasurer…from 1939 to 1989.    Joan passed away on July 21, 2014.  I ended the article by saying that “it (the Reminiscence) doesn’t speak to why, on Dec. 10^th of 1989 at the Annual Christmas Benefit, she received the Dei Gloriam Award.  In Part 2, I will disclose why this woman was described in the yearbook as “a living expression of the Jesuit ideal”.

Of course, nothing would be as good as having known and worked with Joan, but I’ll give it my best shot.   In 1989, on the occasion of her retirement, the Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper had a feature article written by Bob Herguth entitled “Chicago Profile”.   In it she was called the “’Miss Chips’ of St. Ignatius College Prep”.   Typically, when a member of a school’s staff is identified as “Miss/Mr. Chips”, it’s referring to a teacher, or, at least an administrator…someone who comes in contact with the students on a daily basis to inspire and comfort them.

In the article, Joan is quoted as saying, “Sooner or later, I meet all the kids.  When I see that some of the students are not smiling, I try to ask them what’s wrong.  I try to give them a little bit of advice.”  She would “encourage them to “keep on with their studies.  To work hard while in high school as a better preparation for college, and to have faith in God: that He’s always there to help them.”

She said that she bumped into “Ignatius grads everywhere, even on planes.  I’ve even been invited to their weddings.  One student would visit me every day in my office.  After he graduated, he went to the Jesuit novitiate.”  Years later, after he was ordained, he became her boss.

But what was it about Joan that made such an impact that she was given the highest honor the school has to bestow on an individual?   I’ve spoken in the past about teachers who had that mysterious quality called “charisma”.  Most of the time it remains a mystery, but I think that I have a clue as to what made Joan special.  

Perhaps you’ve heard the acronym, “K.I.S.S.”, which stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid”.    If I had to guess, I’d say that was the secret to Joan’s charisma… the simplicity with which she led her life.  Her focus and passions in life were God, family and Ignatius.   In service of the Lord, she worked tirelessly in her parish as a part of the Legion-of-Mary, the Altar and Rosary, and sang in the church choir, as well as helping out at parish fundraisers.   Even as a child, Joan and her siblings were there to serve families in need in her neighborhood.

Sister Ann Vincent, one of Joan’s nieces, told me that, within the family, she always included her nieces and nephews in her activities, even to the extent that she’d sit at the dreaded “kids’ table” for holiday dinners.  She never learned to drive, but loved taking long walks through parks to enjoy the flowers and whatever other sites Mother-Nature had to offer…always inviting the youngsters in the family to accompany her.

At Joan’s funeral Mass, Father Mulvihill said that, if the Jesuits had permitted women, he was sure that Joan would have been the template…perhaps for the men also.   I believe that it was the simplicity with which she led a life in the service of the Lord, her family and St. Ignatius that answers the question of why the secretary-to-the-treasurer was accorded such grand recognition.

Reflection #68 (Only 1008 to go): Varia

            Yesterday, Sunday, October 19^th, Father Michael Caruso, S.J., took his final vows at Holy Family Church.   In case you’re not familiar with this event, some period of time after Jesuits are ordained, they are invited by a superior to prepare for their final vows by entering a period of tertianship.  During this time, the priest or brother studies the foundation documents of the society and makes a 30-day silent retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises.

            Afterward, the Jesuit will pronounce “final vows” which include repeating his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.   I can recall, when I started teaching at Ignatius  (Sept. 62), much was made of the fact that Jesuits took a 4^th vow, usually a special vow of obedience to the pope.

            Congratulations, Fr. Caruso. 

            Over the last month, I’ve attended 5 reunions at 1076.  Toward the end of September, the class of 1964 celebrated their 50-year reunion.  This past Saturday evening (October 18), the classes of ’69, ‘74, ’79 and ’84 celebrated their reunions.  I had a special incentive to be there because my daughter and my daughter-in-law were in the class of ’84.

            I’ve said it before, but I really enjoy attending reunions.  Reminiscing about events, good and bad, that occurred when they (and I) were younger, catching up on how things are going now and sharing the feelings of the impact that we all had on each other. 

            The class of ’64 also had special significance for me, since it was the first “golden” anniversary class with students I had taught.  I attended the Friday evening portion of their celebration and Father George Lane said Mass on Saturday evening.  I’m pretty sure that we were the only two teachers from their era to attend.  So many of their teachers have either gone to their eternal reward, or are too old to make the trip.  (For the record, I was 22 when I taught them as sophomores, so I’m just making it under the wire.)

            And speaking of former teachers of a “certain age”, I still visit Frank Raispis every other week.  Frank is in good health and still mentally sharp.  I make that last point, because, at 87 years old, he still has the same great outlook on life and his fortunes, good and bad, that he has always had.  Though, ideally, Frank would have loved to have attended the ’64-reunion, his lack of mobility would not allow it, so a video was made of him addressing the class members in attendance.

           Finally, some members of the class of '63 are going to host an event to celebrate Fr. Joseph Bowen, SJ's contributions to the survival of our beloved institution.  Father was a member of the class of '63 and served as the president of Ignatius through the 2nd half of the '70's.  He is credited with the Bob Hope Benefit in 1976 and making the decision to go co-ed in 1979.  Stay tuned for further information on this celebration.

Reflection #67 (Only 1009 to go): Just do it!

Despite the fact that Saint Ignatius College Prep is a Jesuit institution, I have been lax in writing about the many outstanding Jesuits with whom I have worked.  That said, it’s past time to tell of one who inspired me, not only as a teacher, but as a person.

 Recently, I have been looking into the topic of Ignatians who are writers/authors, and it’s proving to be an impressive list.   Probably the most widely read author to have graced Saint Ignatius’ hallowed halls is Father Mark Link, S.J.   Father Link has written or edited more than 20 (some sources say as many as 60) books which have sold over 10 million copies.  During Advent and Lent, I would often read an entree from one of Father’s books at the beginning of each class.  In the interest of full disclosure, Father Link is not an Ignatius graduate, but he is the product of a Jesuit education, and he did teach theology here from 1963 to 1981. 

What excited Fr. Link, and was the main point of emphasis of his work, was discovering God’s presence in the world.  Father Link’s body of work…writing books, traveling the world giving retreats and workshops, and even scripting TV shows and videos…speaks for it self, but what intrigued me about him was his approach to life.  I am an unapologetic eclectic who tries to gather the modes and methods of those who are successful, and, within the limits of my own strengths and weaknesses, apply them in my life.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much.  The trick is recognizing what those special modes and methods are.

In Father Link’s case, I observed three characteristics.  First of all, he kept things simple.  Secondly, he lived by the maxim, “There’s nothing to it, but to do it”. When he saw a need, he acted on it, not second guessing himself or leaving the task for someone else .  The third element could best be described by the title of one of his more popular books: He is the Still Point of the Turning World.  Of course Father Link was referring to God, but I saw in Father the balance and tranquility that seemed to allow him to implement those first two qualities.  Given a situation that needed to be dealt with, he saw the simple solution and acted on it.

Case in point: When the popular cross country coach, Carmen Pintozzi died suddenly, Father sensed the loss of spirit that Carm’s athletes were experiencing.  He decided that what they needed was a “pep rally”, so he convinced the athletic director (me) to climb to the top of the north wall of the gym and create a stick-figure of a cross country runner, the height of the wall, out of athletic tape.  Then we had a pep rally. 

Yet, another example of the simplicity of his approach was demonstrated at the end of a school assembly in the gym.  When the boys were being dismissed, they simply stayed seated and started to chant, “Hell, no!  We won’t go” to the frustration and confusion of the master-of-ceremony.  At that moment, Father Link walked up to a few boys in the first row, and calmly called them by name and told them to leave.  Faced with that direct and personal command by Fr. Link, those boys got up and left.  When the rest of the students saw that their “solidarity” had been broken, they all exited.

On top of all he has done, Father Link was as nice and kind a person as I have ever known.  It is my loss that the only time that I have seen him since 1982 was to congratulate him for having received the Dei Gloriam Award from St. Ignatius.

God bless you, Father Link.