Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
St Agnes, Phoenix
Location: Arizona, USA
Date of visit: Tuesday, 24 December 2024, 4:30pm
The building
The parish was formed in 1940 and first met in a grocery warehouse. The present building is their second – a trim, clean looking brick structure with short bell tower and classroom wing attached. The nave, with 35 rows of pews, is said to be one of the longest of any church in the state of Arizona. The eye is drawn to the main altar, which was tastefully decorated for Christmas. Several side altars are dedicated to various saints. A video embedded in their website gives a detailed guided tour of the interior.
The church
They are staffed by priests of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt Carmel, better known as the Carmelites, Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. This is is a bilingual parish, with their website both in English and Spanish. Apparently, Inés is Spanish for Agnes – who knew? They host a chapter of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and offer RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes. A weekday mass is celebrated – not sure if this is in English or Spanish – as well as the Saturday vigil mass in English and three Sunday masses, one in English and two in Spanish.
The neighborhood
They are located on 24th Street north of McDowell Road, a somewhat seedy stretch replete with mom-and-pop businesses with Spanish names. McDowell Road is a major east-west thoroughfare. The stretch between 16th Street and 24th Street was, in the 1950s, the most commercially vibrant business district outside of downtown Phoenix, and was known as the Miracle Mile. But the advent of shopping malls put an end to that. Ironically, those same malls today either no longer exist or are mere ghosts of their former selves.
The cast
The celebrant was the pastor, assisted by a deacon. The deacon’s dalmatic was not from the same set as the pastor’s chasuble, but I forgave him for that. There were also a crucifer and two acolytes, vested in cotta and red cassock. A lay reader in suit and tie completed the altar party.
What was the name of the service?
Christmas Eve Mass (English).How full was the building?
I estimated that the building could hold about 700. Seated in the back row, I counted 120 who entered. At the start of mass I moved up closer to the altar, and I suspect that several more came in behind me whom I did not include in the count. There were a few young couples with babes in arms, some families, some older couples, but mostly single women.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
No. There were no ushers or greeters on duty.
Was your pew comfortable?
Uncushioned wooden pew – yes, it was comfortable.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
People entered quietly, with the exception of two elderly ladies who carried on an extended conversation about where they should sit. The organist struck up a soft medley of carols, but see below for further observations re the organ.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
‘Good evening. Merry Christmas.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
In the pews were the hardbound Spanish Flor y Canto, the paperback bilingual ¡Celebremos! Let Us Celebrate, and the hardbound English Glory & Praise. We used only the latter. There was no bulletin or handout.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ, opus 1351 of the venerable Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Inc. – but read on! A grand piano sat silent. There was a cantor – who turned out to be the organist – who sang in an excellent baritone, but no choir was present.
Did anything distract you?
Well, I couldn’t figure out where the organ was. When I arrived, I looked up in the gallery to find it completely barren. I saw no console anywhere, and no pipes. Imagine my surprise when the organ began to play just before mass. Was it a piped-in recording? It sounded too natural for that. In fact, it sounded lovely – exactly how you would expect an Aeolian-Skinner to sound. I would have to wait until the end of mass to clear up my puzzlement.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
A well celebrated mass. The hymns were all traditional Christmas carols: ‘Adeste Fideles,’ ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,’ ‘Silent Night,’ ‘Joy to the World.’ And we sang all of the verses of each one – well, at least the cantor and I did, as I noticed no other mouths moving. Music for the ordinary of the mass was not supplied, and I was unfamiliar with the tunes, so I couldn’t join in except for the Alleluia verse at the gradual. Bells but no incense. The celebrant recited everything except for ‘The mystery of faith’ and the Per Ipsum, which he chanted in a fine baritone voice. We received communion under the species of bread only.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
10 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
6 — I wish I could rate the pastor higher, as his premise was sound. But I thought he tended to ramble and even slipped into muttering now and then. A brush-up course in elocution would do him no harm.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
Scripture teaches us why God created us – because he loves us! And he made us capable of love. But we don’t always love back like we should. So God did the one thing that would overcome our resistance – he came into the world as one of us. Politics in that region of the world were quite unsettled at the time, but God didn’t pay any attention to that. He came not as a conquering army, but as a baby. Christ’s coming shows how infinite God’s love is for us, and it’s a bond that can never be broken. He is not over us – he is with us! May we show that kind of love to other people.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
It’s not every day that one gets to hear an Aeolian-Skinner organ. It sounded lovely, and it was masterfully played. The Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Inc. ceased operations in 1972, but I am certain that Ernest M. Skinner set up shop in heaven.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Only that there was no one at the door to greet us, and that we weren’t given music for the ordinary of the mass. Not that anyone besides the cantor (and me, if I had the music) would have sung anyway.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Everyone cleared out pretty fast. I shook hands with the pastor and said, ‘OK, I give up. Where is the organ, and where was the cantor singing from?’ He told me that the organ console was behind the altar, out of sight, and that the pipes were concealed behind the baffles on the east wall behind the altar. He also said that the organist was the cantor. ‘Well, they’re well hidden, that’s for sure!’ I replied. As I returned to my car I observed a truly beautiful sunset.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
I had resolved to stop somewhere for dinner, but very few places were open on Christmas Eve. I did manage to find a Kentucky Fried Chicken. Hey, it’s real food, and their cole slaw is first-class!
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
7 — Well, this isn’t my neighborhood, and I cannot embrace all of the teachings of the Catholic Church. I’ve seen better services, but this one did manage to put me in the mood for Christmas. So maybe.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
Solving the mystery of the ‘mystery organ’ and hearing its beautiful sound.