Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 1:01am
Weary priests hold mass marathon
Because Christmas fell on a Monday this year, regular Sunday Masses, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day observances jammed together to create a marathon of masses for weary Catholic priests around the country.
In San Gabriel, Calif., Father Ralph Berg finished celebrating his fifth Mass in two days at the historic San Gabriel Mission. A little weary, trying to beat back a cold, the priest was nearing the end of the Sunday-Monday Christmas marathon.
By the time Monday afternoon rolled around, the San Gabriel Mission had offered 18 Masses and services in two days in English, Spanish and Vietnamese between its two adjacent sanctuaries, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
"It's exhilarating," said Berg, greeting parishioners and posing for photos at the conclusion of Monday's 11:15 a.m. service. "And the tiredness comes afterward."
The compressed schedule created a lot of logistical issues at the multicultural parish in downtown San Gabriel, and at other churches around California and the nation. For example, decorations like the Nativity scene, Christmas banners, altar trees and poinsettias are usually not put up until after the last Sunday before the holiday. Because there was not enough time this year for even a quick turnaround, volunteers had to beautify the churches before the weekend.
Programs had to be printed, Communion wafers and wine readied, ushers scheduled, and bathrooms cleaned more frequently. That it all got taken care of was "kind of a miracle," said Berg, 71. He heads a staff of six fellow Claretian missionaries, half of whom are too old or ill to work full time, and a small corps of lay volunteers.
Then there was the music. Organist and pianist Paul Puccinelli played seven Masses in two days at San Gabriel. He got home from the midnight Mass at 2:30 a.m. and was up at 6 a.m. Monday for morning services. He played a lot of "Away in a Manger" and "Joy to the World" and quickly consulted with soloist singers.
He was so tired that he joked about grabbing a catnap on the keyboard. He finished his last service with "Silent Night" and took off for a final assignment at a Pasadena church before joining his family.
"It's exhausting; it's hard. But I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way," Puccinelli said. "As tired as I am, it's all worthwhile."
Roman Catholics were obliged to attend both regular Sunday Mass and a service for the holiday, either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The exception is when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.
In San Gabriel, Calif., Father Ralph Berg finished celebrating his fifth Mass in two days at the historic San Gabriel Mission. A little weary, trying to beat back a cold, the priest was nearing the end of the Sunday-Monday Christmas marathon.
By the time Monday afternoon rolled around, the San Gabriel Mission had offered 18 Masses and services in two days in English, Spanish and Vietnamese between its two adjacent sanctuaries, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
"It's exhilarating," said Berg, greeting parishioners and posing for photos at the conclusion of Monday's 11:15 a.m. service. "And the tiredness comes afterward."
The compressed schedule created a lot of logistical issues at the multicultural parish in downtown San Gabriel, and at other churches around California and the nation. For example, decorations like the Nativity scene, Christmas banners, altar trees and poinsettias are usually not put up until after the last Sunday before the holiday. Because there was not enough time this year for even a quick turnaround, volunteers had to beautify the churches before the weekend.
Programs had to be printed, Communion wafers and wine readied, ushers scheduled, and bathrooms cleaned more frequently. That it all got taken care of was "kind of a miracle," said Berg, 71. He heads a staff of six fellow Claretian missionaries, half of whom are too old or ill to work full time, and a small corps of lay volunteers.
Then there was the music. Organist and pianist Paul Puccinelli played seven Masses in two days at San Gabriel. He got home from the midnight Mass at 2:30 a.m. and was up at 6 a.m. Monday for morning services. He played a lot of "Away in a Manger" and "Joy to the World" and quickly consulted with soloist singers.
He was so tired that he joked about grabbing a catnap on the keyboard. He finished his last service with "Silent Night" and took off for a final assignment at a Pasadena church before joining his family.
"It's exhausting; it's hard. But I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way," Puccinelli said. "As tired as I am, it's all worthwhile."
Roman Catholics were obliged to attend both regular Sunday Mass and a service for the holiday, either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The exception is when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.