 | Palm Sunday Service 2001 ..."Beyond the Hosannas and Deep into the Heart" |  |
| Palm Sunday Service 2001 ..."Beyond the Hosannas and Deep into the Heart" | |
Palm Sunday Service (April 8th, 2001) at St. Joan of Arc packed an emotional wallop for the congregation. Aided by the magnificent Twin Cities Gospel Singer Robert Robinson and the SJA Choir, nine readers beautifully told the Passion Story to two capacity-filled services. In keeping with the "breaking" theme this Lenten season, the aim of this mass was to break open the story of Jesus beyond traditional hosannas and penetrate a message to the congregation of actively living the message of Jesus Christ.
The SJA Choir opened the service in choral unison with "For the Beauty of the
Earth." Presider Father George Wertin blessed "the blessing of palms" as the
spirited audience, looking like a rolling sea of waving palms, sang "Prepare
Ye the Way of the Lord." Robert "Robbie" Robertson sung the traditional "Day
By Day" accompanied by intricate "oohs and aahs" from the choir. Father George
then proceeded to tell a story about a small boy's enchantment with a circus.
His point about the little one's reaction was not of mere hosannas, but one
of enormous exultation. "We have to be more than just bystanders (at an
event)." Rich or poor, Gentiles or Jews, we are all equal in power. "We
should enter into the passion experience not because of its history, but
because we must live it." With that aptly put statement, the Palm Sunday
Passion Story was read.
Director Peter Rothstein assembled a stirring ensemble of nine readers: Dean
Patele as Jesus; Matt Woodling as Judas; Roger Dick as Pilot; Jim Patrykus as
Peter; Julie Madden as Caiaphas; Ashley Jurowitz as Servant Girl; and Chris
Borek and Michelle Jansen as Accusers. Nancy Gormley was the narrator. The
Choir sung "All You Who Pass This Way" as responses. Musicians Shane Speltz
on drums, Joe Chouinard on piano, Dan Chouinard on synthesizer, and Anna
Vagle on various percussion instruments and the recorder gorgeously enhanced the reading with
their accompaniment. Downright spine tingling was Dean's anguished reading of
the Jesus line "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" accompanied by the
mood altering ambiance of Dan's ominous chords and the snap-like flutter of
Anna's recorder. This diverse singer musician also amazingly created a
lifelike sound of wind with just her own breath held tight against a
microphone.
 | This incredible reading built to an unbelievable fever pitch when Robbie took the stage to perform "The Wondrous Day of Our God" backed by the choir. His mighty performance, electrifyingly intense and touchingly soul searching, so effectively moved the audience and choir members that tears were visible on people's faces. A thunderously wondrous standing ovation from the congregation followed before the number was completely finished. Robbie and the choir then performed the fitting Leon Roberts composition "We Remember You" as a communion hymn. |
George Wertin admirably concluded this touching service by reminding the parish that "not just with our hosannas, but with our
 |
 |
 |
 |