Sunday, April 20th, 2002

Easter Sunday was gray and overcast, but inside the gym at St. Joan of Arc, everything was coming up daisies - especially on Gwen Matthews hat. But an Easter without Gwen Matthews would be exceedingly dismal, and a Gwen Matthews without a daisy-ladened bonnet would be even more disappointing!

There was no disappointment this Sunday. All the things that make St. Joan of Arc special were in place setting the stage for a magnificent celebration of Easter. There were three masses in the gym in order to accommodate the multitude of people - and this multitude was fed by Father George Wertin and Father Jim Cassidy, both of them at the soul of this community of faith, peace and justice. And if the clerics are the soul, then the heart of the assemblage is the St. Joan musicians, special guests and choir. To complete this inspirational scene were the white, green and yellow streamers adorning the ceiling and the awe-inspiring banner over the altar proclaiming,

The drama of the celebration began when the lights were turned off, the trumpet of Jim TenBensel sounded and the drum cadence announced the celebrant walking down the center aisle with the Pascal candle. With the lights still low and the drum cadence continuing, the Gospel of John was read, this a story as familiar as any we have heard……”Early in the morning on the first day of the week…..” At the close of the gospel, as if to confirm the triumph and immortality of the message, Gwen Matthews galvanized the congregation as she sang, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”.

The sign of peace, so perfunctory in some churches, is always a genuine reaching out to touch someone at SJA; on Easter Sunday the greetings are even more heartfelt. Maybe it’s a reflection of the difficult few years we have experienced as a nation or the opposition we sometimes feel as a peace and justice church who’s mission is to welcome everyone at any place in their spiritual journey. It is utterly welcoming and uplifting.

As if drawing energy from the enthusiastic sign of peace, Gwen, along with the musicians and choir launched into a fervent version of, “Halle, Halle” Just in case there were any in the audience who were not fully engaged in the music Cyril Paul lifted cymbals high above his head to rouse everyone to clap. The gym vibrated with energy. After the first reading Gwen again mesmerized the congregation with her music. She is a beautiful soloist, but also has an uncanny talent to interact and involve her audience.. She began slowly, quietly, drawing us in, filling us up, then getting us to clap, tap, or otherwise join in the music. The musicians with Dan Chouinard, and the choir, directed by Anna Vagle, were the perfect compliment.

I attended the 11:00 AM mass with Father George Wertin giving the homily. His message was about Hope. He made the distinction between hope and optimism. “Optimism says, ‘I can do it,’ it breathes forth self-sufficiency.” He also reminded us that if we want peace, we have to be a peaceable people. We can be people of hope. Father then said that the best signs of hope are people; St. Joan of Arc has many:

• Joe Selvaggio who founded Project for Pride in Living helping poor people to self-sufficiency through employment and housing.
• Marie and John Braun who, rather than become discouraged in the face of impending war, took the “Say no to war” signs designed by Mary Lou Ott and sold thousands of them.
• Rick Roscow who followed the SJA delegation to Israel and Palestine and now goes all over to promote better understanding and a solution to the painful conflict.
• Marlys Weber who organized the four busloads of SJA people to travel to the anti-war rally in Washington, DC. Steve Boyle who organized the march from the Cathedral to the State Capitol in St. Paul.
• Donna McGarry, recently deceased SJA parishioner who went back to school after raising 3 children, got her MBA and taught at St. Thomas. She lived an intentional and determined life, then faced cancer and death with amazing dignity.
• Judy Griep, another woman who has met cancer and learned to live with it. Moreover she has shared a joyful perspective on life that gives all of us a new perspective on the Resurrection.

1. Continue to see the face of Christ in the faces of those around you.
2. Hope and believe - even be joyful - when circumstances make it seem difficult or impossible.
3. Remember that you will only find happiness for yourself when you are bringing happiness to others.

The music for the Offertory was, “This is the Day” and at times it seemed that the gym was hardly large enough to contain the music and energy it inspired. At this point in the service even the most reticent church-goers seemed compelled to clap or sway to the music.

All of the musicians were on the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion. The songs were, “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Morning Has Broken,” “My Lord What a Morning,” and the traditional, “What a Wonderful World,” with Jim TenBensel. The choir did a wonderful job of not only singing, but swaying and clapping in unison for most of the songs. Whether it was planned or just sudden inspiration, it was great fun!

The closing prayer was, the Prayer of St. Francis followed by the effervescent “When the Saints Go Marching In”. Father Wertin followed by the musicians, choir and many others marched down the aisle and out the back to the Easter Alfombra. It was a truly joyful morning and sure to infuse all participants with enough Easter hope and peace to last for weeks to come.

View Jeanne Morales' story on the creation of the alfombra.

Besides the 3 Easter Sunday Gym Masses, Fr. George collaborated with Farmer Rick and his baby animals to present a special Family Mass in the Church. Here are a few photos from that service.

The Holy Saturday Vigil was also held on Easter weekend at 7:30 in the Gym. A blessing and baptism of RCIA candidates occurs during the Saturday service. We close this essay with some shots of that service.

Sue O'Brien is the wife of Tom, mother of four children, and grandmother of six. She is a 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. Sue can be reached at remdds@prodigy.net.

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.

Todd Dalebroux his wife Karen and their children have been active in several ministries at SJA including Sister Parish, Soup Suppers, and Religious Ed.

Molly Ryan is a full-blooded Mexican married to a full-blooded Irishman. They have 2 grown children, Kelly and Shannon. Molly has been attending SJA since 1994 and has taught Sunday School in addition to other volunteering.