Scattered Seeds at O.L. Fatima

Father Daniel Begin speaking on an homily on the anointing of David, and the blind man given sight by Jesus at the pool of Siloe. I am called John.
Holy Trinity was a German parish on Woodland Avenue in Cleveland. Holy Trinity merged with Saint Edward, and became an African-American parish. It was the last parish closed (2004) before lennonism. Holy Trinity had three large bells cast in Cincinnati in 1881. Bells are baptised. In German (auf Deutsch man sagt) one says, „Ich heiße Johannes“ (I am called [my name is] John). [ß = ss] The other two bells are named Petrus and Ave Maria (Peter and Hail Mary). The word was cast 'heisze' once, and 'heise' twice. I enjoy finding humour. St. Agnes had suffered a great fire, and the parish merged into the tiny Our Lady of Fatima in 1980. The Tabernacle came from Agnes'. It has four scenes: prophet Moses and the gathering of manna, priest and king Melchisedec, supper at Emmaus, and the Crucifixion. There are some framed photographs from Agnes', and a pew. The parish is St. Agnes-Our Lady of Fatima, people refer to the parish as Our Lady of Fatima. It is across the street from the former League Park, where Babe Ruth hit his 500th home run.

OL Fatima has a small sanctuary, but has a community center that hosts many events, including some that the press calls 'townhalls'. The parish seems to be a collecting center of castoffs. But, as to-day's Gospel spoke, the blind beggar was cast off from respectable society and Jesus healed him, but the Pharisees were more 'blind' (and deaf) and were not healed.

To-day the parishioners of Epiphany and Saint Cecilia met again for Mass and fellowship as Scattered Seeds. It was their eleventh rendez-vous since suppression. They were more than two hundred, plus people from the hosting parish, and friends. They want to continue to meet on the First Sundays at 6 p.m. for Mass.

For a Eucharistic Feast (Mass), only a table is needed, perhaps two candles if available, and of course—the Divine Species. Any Catholic should be at home at any Catholic church in the world, he should have membership in a perpetual parish. These Catholics had their parishes taken away. They both shared a common pastor for a generation. He and they became a family. Father Daniel Begin feels compelled to keep his commitment to his people. There are some young people in the parish, but many are 'middle-aged' and beyond. How long will they cohere? Can this gypsy band of Christians survive?

St. Cecilia and Epiphany had once considered merging with other pre-dominately African American parishes (Catherine's, Timothy's, Henry's). Some other parishes fought their suppressions with appeals to Rome. Some parishes are meeting in the street. Father Begin and his parishioners formed 'Scattered Seeds' in order to stay together. And perhaps, it was the wisest choice. Most parishes that were closed, had their communities broken, scattered, and not healed. Those who have resisted lennonism may not be saved by Rome; and even if they are, it may be hard to come back again, and their path may be sabotaged from the chancery. Here in some measure these people have maintained themselves as a parish community.

Jesus and his apostles were the first vagabond and itinerant Christians. It is not novel territory these folk navigate. They make arrangements, and continue some pastoral work; a little charitable giving, some bringing of the Eucharist to shut-ins.

Their next Divine Repast is at St. Colman's. Colman's (and their pastor, Robert Begin) has also made a monthly home for the parishioners of St. Emeric's, and with a Magyar language Liturgy. Saint Colman is ending its probationary review trial to show whether it is "vibrant". Vibrant has no definition. Saint Colman is certainly welcoming.