The Easter Sunday Celebration "My Lord, What a Morning"

Sunday, March 31st, 2002

The 11:00 am Easter Sunday Mass in the gym of St. Joan of Arc was the culmination of the Lenten season and a glorious celebration of the Risen Christ. The church was filled to over-flowing, participants attired in all form of dress, from winter jackets to spring coats. Perhaps due to the earlier snowfall in the day, Easter bonnets were in short supply - that is, everywhere but on the altar where Gwen Matthews joined the St. Joan of Arc musicians. She is a renowned Gospel and Jazz singer in the Twin Cities, but at SJA she is equally well known for her comfortable chatter and ornate chapeau as she graces us with her presence each Easter.

Colorful yellow, green, and white ribbon-like banners adorned the ceiling, a stark contrast to the earlier Holy Week liturgies where the barren appearance of the church signified the solemnity of the occasion. At the start of the Mass, the lights were low and there was no music save a military sounding drum beat. Celebrant, Father George Wertin, walked alone down the center aisle, the only illumination being the large Paschal candle he carried. When he reached the altar he read the story of the Resurrection. In a triumphant response the lights came up and the beautiful voice of Gwen Matthews singing “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” resounded throughout the gym.

In the SJA bulletin for Easter Sunday the message from Father George Wertin began, “Easter is not the feast of optimists. It is the feast of people who are struggling to find hope in the midst of a world that knows the pains and suffering of Good Friday.” In his homily he continued with the theme reminding us that Easter is about peace, the transformation from slavery to freedom. The theme of this Lenten season was the Prayer of St. Francis and it calls us to action. We have two choices: we can submit to violence and hatred, or we can resist evil and sow the seeds of love. Easter is a new way of seeing reality. He challenged all of us to open our eyes and “Be not afraid”.

The always outstanding St. Joan of Arc musicians were joined by trombonist, Jim TenBensel and the SJA choir. Some of the music echoed songs sung during Lenten services, but other pieces bespoke the Easter message of joy and transformation. When the assemblage had renewed their Baptismal vows, Gwen Matthews and the choir led a clapping congregation in “Oh Happy Day”. After the Offertory and Consecration, all the musicians joined in “My Lord What a Morning”. It was done a cappella and was captivating in its harmony and simplicity. Jim TenBensel and his trombone lent majesty to all of the music, but it was when he sang “What a Wonderful World” that he was hailed as, “Louis” TenBensel!

Sue Obrien is the wife of Tom, mother of four children, and grandmother of six. She is dental hygienist and manages a dental practice in Spring Lake Park. A parishioner for many years, Sue worked as a caregiver at Grace House for seven years, beginning the week it opened. Now she is looking forward to meeting new people at St. Joan of Arc as she helps out as a web reporter and photographer.

Peg LaSota is interested in the biographies of parishioners... any suggestions?? She also loves studying piano, recorder, Spanish, and of course...singing in the choir!

After the final blessing the musicians, led again by Jim TenBensel, sang “When the Saints Go Marching In”. It put a smile on the face, a spring in the step, and sent everyone out rejoicing in the hope-filled message of Easter.

Not Rick Spaulding ... Well, Rick Spaulding did take the pictures, but this is Rick's wife Tinia who was the reader. Since we see a lot of Rick's photography on these pages, including his mug shot, we thought we would use his "better half" for this story since she was part of the event. If you really need to see a picture of Rick(!!), visit the webteam page.