Homecoming St. Mary Akron

detail of the Assumption

The second Roman rite parish in Akron had an Homecoming Mass, this evening. The parish was the next to last parish evicted by Lennon on 27 June 2010; the last was St. Emeric, which although reprieved by order of Rome, has still is not opened, nor set to open. St. Mary was open for its school children to attend a weekly Mass, and one outdoor Mass was held for the parish. St. Mary was merged into St. Bernard. They are now both independent, while sharing the same pastor, Daniel Reed. Since it is a Marian parish, Fr. Reed chose the Feast of the Assumption for the Homecoming. He pointed out the scene painted on the apse is that of Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven.

one of two herald angels before the apse

As great an occasion it was, no fanfare was attendant. More than six hundred people almost reached seating capacity of the church. People were happy to enjoy their patrimony again. Before Mass, a rosary was said. The mood was subdued throughout. One of the hymns sung was , 'We Remember'. The Agnus Dei was sung in Latin. Masses are always said with an intention. Such a Mass would have been proper for pro populo (for the people), instead it was said for Richard Lennon. During the Mass's Eucharistic Prayers, the celebrant went further and added to the formula ['Benedict, our Pope, and N., our bishop'], 'and his intentions'. His intentions were to eliminate these parishes, and sell their properties. The new pastor is noticeably less than fully enthusiastic about his second parish.

congregation and plastic slip covered organ

The church never closed, but some maintenance and care fell into neglect. Landscaping was limited to grass cutting. The wallpaper around the clerestory windows was streaked throughout by water stains.

Asperges, the sprinkling rite very early in the Mass

minimal recessional procession: crucifer, two other altar boys, deacon, and priest