 The Knights of Columbus from nearby Lincoln led a procession of
young and middle-aged faithful from the hilltop courthouse square
down to the church, 2 1/2 blocks away. Bishop Jenky was accompanied
by the most recent former St. Thomas Aquinas pastor, the Rev. Thomas
Shaw (now pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Walnut, and Immaculate
Conception, Ohio), and three priests from Holy Family in Lincoln:
the Rev. Jeffrey Laible, the Rev. Glenn Fontana and the Rev. Simon
Taabu.
As local parishioners and friends, together with Catholics and
friends from nearby St. Patrick's Church of Elkhart and Lincoln's
Holy Family Church, continued to fill the pews, the bishop and
priests waited outside until 11:30 a.m., when they filed in under
the Knights' arch of swords to assume their places in the church
sanctuary.
The bishop quickly congratulated current and former St. Thomas
Aquinas parishioners and their ancestors for their continuous 150
years of service to Mount Pulaski and nearby communities. He
marveled over how St. Thomas has kept alive the Catholic teachings
and liturgy in this southernmost area of the diocese for all these
years and, at the same time, provided and engaged in various
community services throughout the years.
The bishop then proceeded with the celebration of Mass,
concelebrated by the four priests.
Throughout the service, music filled the air. Music was arranged
and played by the organist, Rita Scanavino, accompanied by the St.
Thomas Aquinas choir, with assistance from parishioners' voices and
punctuated by trumpeter Eric Wattleworth, the instrumental and vocal
music instructor at Sangamon Valley School District.
During the bishop's homily, comparisons were made between our
modern meals and those of the ancients -- with emphasis on how the
ancients, our ancestors and, sadly, only some of our present-day
families properly conduct meals.
"Meals should be a special occasion," Jenky insisted. "How we
share food in some ways defines our culture ... what we eat, the way
we eat, where we eat ... our meal conversations, our rituals of the
table and our customs of hospitality ... all help to define and
reinforce our sense of identity."
The bishop went on to interestingly relate that "Jesus was always
watched closely" as to how he behaved during meals. Those about him
believed that Jesus should conform to the norms and customs of the
host, "when in fact he would do the opposite ... being totally
unconcerned about human pride or public opinion by demonstrating and
recommending humility ... as in His own words in today's Gospel
(Luke 14:1, 7-11): ‘Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'"
Jenky additionally pointed out that "Jesus goes on to give a
further teaching which must have sounded absolutely ridiculous and
even scandalous to those who heard it ... that when you are having a
banquet, do not invite your own family and friends, the rich and
famous -- only those you might be able to return your hospitality
... instead, invite the poor and the crippled, the lame and the
blind -- those who are in no position to repay your generosity."
Finally, the bishop reminded us that "Jesus taught everyone who
belongs to God should always be attentive to the needs of the poor
and the sick."
"Yet," cautioned the bishop, "Jesus is not forbidding the
enjoyment of a good meal with our nearest and dearest families and
friends, but rather he is challenging us to broaden our vision about
who is our family and to radically expand our generosity."
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Jenky brought all of this home to those in attendance by
emphasizing that "the Mass is the Supper of the Lord and the
sacrament of God's steadfast desire that we share our table
fellowship with him and with one another ... that Mass has been
celebrated here in this St. Thomas parish for 150 years ... in a
community made up of all sorts of folks ... rich, middle class and
poor ... truly approaching Jesus' meal of fellowship extended to
all, regardless of background or status in life ... that here today,
as during the past 150 years, the table is richly set ... the
invitation goes out to all."
The bishop concluded with the remarks: "So let us all respond to
God's generous invitation, and eat and be satisfied ... now and
forever."
A few minutes later, Jenky led his concelebrating priests in the
consecration and distribution of Holy Communion, which was provided
under both species: bread and wine for our Savior's body and blood
as Jesus so commanded and instituted during his Last Supper.
Following Mass, all were invited to the Mount Pulaski American
Legion Hall for a Polish Oktoberfest meal of bratwurst, sauerkraut,
German potato salad, red cabbage, spaetzle, apple strudel, Black
Forest cake, freshly brewed iced tea, lemonade, lemon water and
freshly brewed coffee. The meal was prepared and served by Mike and
Jennifer Richner's Hilltop Catering.
Many local parishioners too numerous to mention participated in
the planning, preparation and execution of the celebration. Madonna
Boyle prepared and showed a keepsake DVD of hundreds of old and more
recent St. Thomas Aquinas parish photos, which she provided for
purchase. Bob McCue wrote and read a Mount Pulaski St. Thomas
Aquinas historical prayer in poetic verse. The Tom Romer Vinegar
Hill Brass provided music throughout the dinner. The Rev. Jeffrey
Laible assisted in the preparations and conduct of the celebration,
including the writing and reading of a list of intercessions as well
as the meal grace.
[Text from file received from Phil
Bertoni]
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