A Sense of Belonging At the Table Peter Rothstein with excerpts from The Human Comedy

Sunday, June 20th

SJA parishioner, theater director, and actor Peter Rothstein laid his cards on the altar, revealing a human being who not only thinks and questions elements of his Catholic faith, but by doing so, may feel a better sense of belonging. As the featured homilist, he previewed five numbers that he directed from his upcoming concert production "The Human Comedy." It's running June 7-10 as part of his Musical Chairs Series at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis. Though the selections were sung beautifully by a 16-member chorus that featured six superb soloists, it was Rothstein's personal statements that cut the deepest.

Father Jim Cassidy's gospel reading is taken from John, Chapter Six which states "We eat from the feast of the body and blood of Christ [and] eat at the table of everlasting life." This passage looks at the various ways we celebrate the body of Christ and how we must understand it on a deeper level. Local actor-singer T. Mychael Rambo powerfully sung in a richly satisfying tone the gospel hymn "Everlasting" whose lyrics deftly reflect the reading's meaning about the bread and wine. Rothstein's opening remarks referred to the familiar Da Vinci painting of "The Last Supper." He recalled a seemingly sensitive anecdote about his nursing home bound aunt who owned a copy. When asked if she wanted to keep the artwork, she wryly replied, "I don't know. I didn't know those people any way."

For this established local director, speaking about community, home, patriotism, and connection largely parallel with his troupe's musical selections as well as the true spirit of what St. Joan's stands for. After 9/11, Rothstein started to wrestle with questions about loss, retaliation and protecting our country. His concerns underscored mightily by the captivating duet "Dear Brother Homer" sung poignantly by Deter Bierbrauer and Joe Leary. Unfortunately the tight harmonies of the accompanying chorus were severely under-miked. Gospel sensation Jevetta Steele and Leary delved into the true meaning of protection with their fine treatment of "In the Arms of Jesus".

Rothstein eloquently spoke about the celebration of community where everyone is welcome to the table as one. His first experience at St. Joan's confirmed this message. (It also confirmed, he suggests, "the stereotype that Gay men love musicals".) When Rothstein, who is openly gay, first walked into the church's capacity filled gymnasium, he was ushered to one open seat in "the back right hand corner of the church"-coincidentally known as the gay row. The congregation sang along to the song "On the Sunny Side of the Street" from My Fair Lady. Singing from slide projected screens, when one slide failed to appear, the house refrained from participating. Recalled Rothstein, with the exception of "the gay row, [who] sang that filler verbatim." From that moment Rothstein knew he was welcome. And welcomed most recently by last Sunday’s 9 AM Mass attendees who responded with a joyous standing ovation.

Michael Reinbold is a professional photographer and banquet caterer with an extensive theatre background in acting, writing, and directing. He loves all aspects of the arts, staying fit, and helping and inspiring people. A passionate believer in St. Joan of Arc's mission of social justice, Michael is a continuing AIDS Ride participant, Grace House volunteer cook, mass reader, and Joan of Arc choir member. He looks forward to web reporting and photographing for the website.

Rick Spaulding is a photographer specializing in digital photography for the theater and works for National Camera Exchange. He is also an antique dealer and eBay afficianado who enjoys collecting marbles but his true joys in life are his two boys and his beautiful wife, Tinia.

For this reflective director, St. Joan's is a place that can "create a facet where everyone's given a place at the table." Echoing similar sentiments, New Age Spiritual Writer Ernest Holm says, "Each wears a different face but behind everyone is God."

The homily can be heard in it's entirety for the next 3 weeks in our highlights page