Curtains Isn t all Play

Transcripción

1 April 14, 2013 Volume 17 Number 4 Curtains Isn t all Play By PAUL DULION Dozens of volunteers are hard at work to make the twenty-ninth annual Street Peoples Show as fun and exciting as the previous 28. The musical comedy whodonit, Curtains," opens April 26 at Holy Cross. Productions of this type don't happen as easily as they did for Judy Garland and Andy Rooney in their series of movies in the 1930s. Planning for this edition of the Street Peoples Show began last year. Casting took place in January and rehearsals started in February. The cast of the Broadway production is about 12 while Holy Cross has increased it to around 40 by adding extras in the chorus and the stage hands. In addition to the cast, many people help make the shows possible. Steve Lane and his crew from T & G Controls from Norcross, Ga. constructed and installed the stage. Bruce Goodman did sound design and probably a bit of set design, in addition to being cast as the most elevated character in the show. Peachtree Symphonic Winds, directed by Allen Barbee, provide the music for the production. Chef Harry Bryant handles the food preparation for the dinner and buffet shows again this year, and members of the 2013 RCIA class will serve dinner theater guests. Many more people have contributed to the production, from advertising and ticket sales to moving sets between scenes. The work and number of people involved are staggering. The production, "Curtains," is a musical comedy whodonit. The story opens with the final scenes of a 1959 musical production of adventures of the Sherwood Forest outlaw, with a wild west theme, entitled "Robbin' Hood!". In the finale, it becomes clear that the leading lady, Jessica Cranshaw, has just demonstrated that her age and experience far exceed her talents as an actress, singer or dancer. 1 She takes her bows, and after receiving two bouquets, collapses behind the curtain. The back stage activities of the cast is the play within the play. The cast start by discussing the early reviews, how to change parts of the show--including Jessica--and other petty talk. The talk quickly become complicated as they learn Jessica died, and Lt. Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police arrives to investigate the murder. Cioffi's investigation is accompanied by his advice on things theatrical. As the mystery unfolds, the play improves and more murder and mayhem need investigating. To say more would reveal too much. But fear not. "Robbin' Hood!" reopens with some new faces in the cast, some new music and a new finale. The final curtain for "Robbin' Hood!" signals the curtain is lowered for this year's Street Peoples Show. Opening night is a dinner theatre. A buffet dinner precedes the Saturday, April 27 presentation. Both the dinner theater and the buffet performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Sunday's performance is a matinee, which begins at 4:00 p.m. The Continued on Page 6.

2 Two Paths, One Destination By JAY MCLENDON, translation by ARIANA REYES The members of the English and Spanish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, RCIA, classes completed their faith journeys on March 30 at the Easter Vigil Mass. At that time, they came into full communion with the Catholic Church. At the Easter Vigil, nine members of the English and Spanish classes were baptized, received into the Catholic Church and confirmed; these were the Elect. Eighteen members of the English and Spanish classes were received into the Catholic Church and confirmed; they were the Candidates. In addition, one English and one Spanish class member were confirmed at the Easter Vigil. Another eight Spanish class members will be confirmed at a special Mass on April 14. Several children of class members were baptized at the Easter Vigil. Altogether, about 1,900 people joined the Catholic Church in our archdiocese at the Easter Vigil, according to the Georgia Bulletin s Feb. 28 issue. The RCIA class members studied many topics since they started last fall. According to Cindy Durham and Linda Smith, co-leaders of the English class, they studied creation and the fall. the paschal mystery, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Rosary, Church history, the Mass, the sacraments, purgatory, heaven, hell and many other topics. One highlight of their journey was the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion, which was celebrated Feb. 17 at the Atlanta Civic Center. The Holy Cross RCIA group joined others from across the archdiocese to be welcomed by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory. The English RCIA class assisted with the Holy Cross Blood Drive as a service project by making reminder calls to those who had signed up to donate blood and by staffing the sign-in table during the Blood Drive. Each member of the English and Spanish classes wrote a short statement Members of the English RCIA class include, left to right, (front row) Laurie Woodruff, April Carrillo, Ashley Ibarra and Jessamine Henniger; (back row) Linda Smith, co-leader, Bob Orkand, Brandon Velasco, Les Norvell, Ronnie Garcia and Cindy Durham, co-leader. Not pictured, Will DuPree and Elizabeth Velasco. Photo by Dorothy Mears. 2 about his or her faith journey. For Jose Luis Barrios, RCIA meant learning about the Catholic faith and initiating a new life in which he can serve and love. Ramiro Soto also wrote about the change in his life through RCIA, especially learning about Jesus' story. "All this I have learned will allow us to walk with the Lord for the rest of our lives and pass on to our children many lessons," he said in his statement. Ronnie Garcia said that the week leading up to the Easter Vigil was one of the biggest weeks of his life. He credited his sponsor, Richard Escoffery, with making him feel very welcome at Holy Cross and in RCIA. As Ronnie said in his statement, The more I attended church, the more I felt the Spirit of God Himself and how the Catholic religion shared many values that I already felt. Les Norvell attended Mass at Holy Cross during the 1970s and early 1980s with his mother and sister. He said he considers Holy Cross his home parish even though he lives north of Gainesville and drives 65 miles to Holy Cross. In his statement, Les said, The RCIA program here at Holy Cross is essential for me to fulfill my spiritual obligations and to continue on my journey in his name and in his honor. The photographs of the RCIA group and their statements are displayed in the gathering area of the church. I encourage you to take the time to read these statements and understand the depth of feeling that the class members have about their journey. Sponsors are needed for the RCIA classes that begin in August. This is a great way to refresh your knowledge of the Catholic faith and help another person on his or her journey. For information about Spanish RCIA classes, contact Aida Buzeta at abuzeta@holycross.org. For English classes, the contact is Cindy Durham at cindy_durham@bellsouth.net.

3 Dos Caminos, un Solo Destino Por JAY MCLENDON, traducción por ARIANA REYES Los miembros del Rito de Inglés y Español de la Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos, RICA, clases que completaron sus caminos de Fe el 30 de marzo en la Misa de Vigilia de Pascua. En ese momento, llegaron en plena comunión con la Iglesia Católica. En la Vigilia de Pascua, nueve miembros de las clases de inglés y español fueron bautizados, recibidos en la Iglesia Católica y confirmados, estos fueron los Elegidos. Dieciocho miembros de las clases de Inglés y español fueron recividos en la Iglesia Católica y confirmados, ellos eran los Candidatos. Además, un miembro de las clases de Inglés y de español se confirmaron en la Vigilia de Pascua. Otros ocho miembros de español serán confirmados en una Misa especial el 14 de abril. Varios niños miembros de la clase, fueron bautizados en la Vigilia de Pascua. En total, unas personas se unieron a la Iglesia Católica en nuestra Arquidiócesis en la Vigilia de Pascua, de acuerdo con el boletín de febrero de Georgia edición 28. Los miembros de la clase de RICA estudiaron muchos temas desde que comenzó el otoño pasado. Según Cindy Durham y Linda Smith, co-lideres de la clase de Inglés, estudiaron la creación y la caída. El misterio pascual, la Santísima Virgen María, el Rosario, la historia de la Iglesia, la misa, los sacramentos, el purgatorio, el cielo, el infierno y muchos otros temas. Un punto culminante de su viaje era el Rito de la Elección y el llamado a la Conversión continua, la cúal se celebró el 17 de Febrero en el Centro Cívico de Atlanta. El grupo RICA de Holy Cross se unió a otros de toda la Arquidiócesis para ser recibidos por el Arzobispo Wilton D. Gregory. La clase de Inglés de RICA ayudó con el proyecto en Holy Cross de donación de sangre, al hacer llamadas recordatorias a los que se habían inscrito, y a recibirlos durante la donación de Los miembros de la clase de español de RICA son de izquierda a derecha: (primera fila) Lizeth Martínez, Augustina Roblero,Luisa López, Amanda Rodríguez, Reverendo Richard Tibbets, Connie Baires, Adriana López, Ana Menjivar, Madeline Rivera Geovanni Soto y Carlos Gómez; (segunda fila) Aremi Rodríguez, Carina Martínez, Rosa Gonzalez, Misael Hernandez, Daniel Serrano, Elber Ramírez, Gilberto Ríos y José Baires; (tecera fila) Heriberto Giron, erik Berduo, Simeon Berduo, José Luis Barrios, Fredy Chete, Carlos Marin, Maximo Velazquez, Ramiro Soto y Luis Gallegos. Fotografia por Aida Buzeta. sangre. Cada miembro de las clases de inglés y español escribió una breve declaración acerca de su camino de fe. Para José Luis Barrios, "RICA significo aprender acerca de la Fe Católica y el inicio de una nueva vida en la cual él puede servir y amar. Él escribió: RICA ha significado para mi: Conocimiento de la Fé Católica y entendimiento de la vida que Dios quiere que llevemos. Iniciación de una vida nueva, transformando nuestras actitudes para ser ejemplo de los demás, servir amar y vivir santificado." Ramiro Soto también escribió sobre el cambio en su vida por medio de RICA, especialmente aprender sobre la historia de Jesús... dijo en su declaración. "Rica ha significado para mí un gran crecimiento espiritual de conocimiento de la historia de la Iglesia, he conocido a muchos hermanos interesados en aprender de esto también. 3 Estoy muy agradecido con todos los que nos han dado su tiempo para enseñarnos acerca de la palabra de Dios. Todo esto que hemos aprendido nos va a permitir caminar junto al Señor por el resto de nuestras vidas y transmitir muchas enseñanzas a nuestros hijos también. Ronnie Garcia dijo que la semana antes de la Vigilia de Pascua es una de las más grandes semanas de su vida. Se lo atribuye a su patrocinador, Richard Escoffery, que lo hizo sentir muy bienvenido en Holy Cross y en RICA. Como Ronnie dijo en su comunicado, ''Mientras mas asistía a la Iglesia, más sentía el mismo Espíritu de Dios y cómo la Religión Católica comparte muchos valores que ya sentía." Les Norvell asistió a misa en Holy Cross durante las décadas de 1970 y principios de 1980 con su madre y su Continuación en la pagina 4.

4 Caminos De la pagina 3. Wassily Kandinsky, Composition X (1939) From WebMuseum, Paris. Faith Matters Completes Season with Kandinsky, Prayer in Stained Glass By DORIS BUCHER Faith Matters is honored to present two outstanding speakers in April for the last two lectures of the season. On April 14, Janice Simon will speak on the Catholic artist Kandinsky and the Catholic Modernists. Simon is the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Georgia. This is the highest teaching honor UGA confers. Those who heard her talks on Alfred Hitchcock last year know that she is a warm and delightful communicator. Rev. Methodius Telnack, Cistercian monk, priest and artist, talks about prayer in stained glass on April 21. Telnack has been a priest and artist in stained glass for almost 56 years at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. Faith Matters meets Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30 in rooms 7&8 of the religious education building. Coffee and light snacks are provided. All are welcome. hermana. Dijo que considera a Holy Cross su parroquia a pesar de que vive al norte de Gainesville y conduce 65 millas hasta Holy Cross. En su declaración, Les dijo, "el programa de RICA aquí en Holy Cross es esencial para mí, para cumplir con mis obligaciones espirituales y continuar mi viaje en su nombre y en su honor." Las fotografías del grupo de RICA y sus declaraciones se muestran en el área de reunión de la Iglesia. Los ánimo a tomar el tiempo de leer estas declaraciones y entender el profundo sentir que los miembros de las clases tuvieron durante su camino. Se necesitan Patrocinadores para las clases de RICA que comenzaran en Agosto. Esta es una gran manera de refrescar su conocimiento de la Fé Católica y ayudar a otras personas en su camino. Para obtener información acerca de las clases de ingles, póngase en contacto con Cindy Durham en cindy_durman@bellsouth.net. Para las clases de español que comienzan en el otoño, póngase en contacto con Aida Buzeta en abuzeta@holycross.org. 4

5 Holy Cross Joins Annual Pilgrimage for Immigrants Chris and Margaret Keij wait in the Holy Cross narthex for the pilgrimage to begin. Photo by Paul Dulion. By PAUL DULION The first Atlanta leg of the fifth annual pilgrimage for immigrants began at Holy Cross on Monday, March 25. Most of the pilgrims attended the 9:15 a.m. Mass. Rev. Fausto Marquez presided at Mass and preached about how Christ's life was full of commitments to us, and we as participants in the walk were making a commitment to the immigrant cause. The walk, a prayer with our feet, left Holy Cross about 10:30 in mid-30 F temperatures. The wind was not steady but it did gust up to around mph. The group consisted of 25 pilgrims. We left Holy Cross and proceeded west along Chamblee-Tucker Road across I-285 to the far end of North Hills Shopping Center. There we stopped for a few minutes of song and prayer in the parking lot of a Hispanic grocery store. From North Hills, we continued west until we had crossed I-85 by about a quarter of a mile. There we stopped in a vacant parking lot for prayer and readings. Our destination was just a few blocks farther west. We arrived at Open Table Community about 12:20 p.m. We prayed before we entered, and inside we were welcomed to a simple lunch of warm soup and bread. There was fellowship with our other pilgrims as we enjoyed being inside for a while and the meal furnished by volunteers from both Holy Cross and the Open Table Community. 5 The pilgrimage had begun on Sunday in Gainesville, Ga. and continued around Atlanta during Holy Week at four other locations before joining the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta's Good Friday Pilgrimage downtown. As a pilgrim for a short while, I would like to thank P. J. Edwards, lead organizer, Tim Isakson from Open Table Community, Aida Buzeta, Carmen and Flavio Graciaa, Sara Grummer-Strawn and many more from Holy Cross. Special thanks to Officer G.T. Karabeika and Sgt. K.L. Anderson of Dekalb County Police Department who got us along our route safely and efficiently. Participants of the first Atlanta leg of the fifth annual pilgrimage for immigrants walked from Holy Cross to the Open Hand Community and shared prayer and song along the way. Photo by Paul Dulion.

6 Curtains From Page 1. following weekend, the May 3-4 evening performances start at 8:00 p.m., and the May 5 Sunday matinee at 4:00 p.m. closes the show. The original Broadway production was written for an adult audience. The Holy Cross producer Gale Goodman told me that the script came with suggested revisions for school and church groups. Even though the script has been revised somewhat, the show is not suggested for children under the age of 6. Tickets are on sale this weekend, April after all Masses in the narthex, and also Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. in the parish office until May 2. HIV and AIDS Ministry Donation Weekends May June 8-9 July August September October November 9-10 December Mark s Gospel LIVE! Reaches Parish Audience By LOU ERBS Rev. Joseph Morris brought his dramatization of Mark s entire Gospel to Holy Cross on Friday evening, March 15. In two 55-minute segments and with a few simple props, he freed the parables and the events from the medium of paper and print. All present followed the stories with rapt attention. The drama, the movement, made the Gospel stories come alive. Morris has a delivery and charismatic presence that makes the material very real. I have been present at his performance more than once, and each time something new attracts. Several persons asked if there was a scheduled performance somewhere in the area so that they could repeat their experience. Here is what I found out. Morris will be in Jacksonville, Fla. on April 5 and 12, Roanoke, Va. on April 25, and Virginia Beach, Va. on April 26. Then Morris goes on to London, U.K. If you happen to be in any of these locations, you might check the local playbills. Morris has been doing this dramatization for at least 20 years 6 Rev. Joseph Morris presented a dramatization of the entire Gospel of Mark at Holy Cross during Lent. Photo by Paul Dulion. and has acquired a very enviable following. Since he is currently the chaplain for the Catholic Student Center at Kennesaw State University, Morris has the advantage of some down time between semesters. If you hear of a performance within proximity of where you live, you'll definitely wish to take advantage of the opportunity to see Mark s Gospel LIVE! HIV and AIDS Ministry Spring Bake Sale April 21 after morning Masses Contact Monica Parise at mep0@cdc.gov if you would like to donate baked goods. Goods are received in the St. Martin s office on Saturday, April 20, 4-6 p.m.

7 A Mission Message: Find Peace with Imperfections The parish mission featured Rev. Jacques Daley, who said his purpose was to bring spiritual healing and conversion. Photo from te-deum.blogspot.com. By KELLY GEORGE Holy Cross Parishioners and guests had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Rev. Jacques Daley during the Lenten season. As the mission speaker, Daley preached at all the Masses the first weekend of March and after the morning Masses and in the evenings Monday through Wednesday, March 4-6. He is a Benedictine priest and professor of St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa. and a delightfully inspirational speaker. Daley expressed that his purpose in giving a mission at Holy Cross was for the spiritual healing of the people of the parish and especially for spiritual conversion. He stated we all need conversion. Trust in the Lord that he is taking care of us, he said. Sometimes it looks like he is a million miles away, but he isn t. At his Wednesday, March 6 speech, he used the example of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, or Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Saint Thérèse became a French Carmelite nun at the young age of 15. She is also known as "The Little Flower of Jesus" or simply, "The Little Flower. Daley encouraged everyone to read her writings, saying they are simple, yet profound. He went on to say that Saint Thérèse s letters explain her spiritual life, yet the people who lived with her didn t recognize anything special because God hides his work. Saint Thérèse struggled with her faith for brief period while she was dying of tuberculosis. Daley, who is battling colon cancer, told parishioners, Everything that happens is not God s will. He doesn t want evil. He doesn t want sin. But God gave free will. It s his passive will. Daley explained how Saint Thérèse found peace with her imperfections. She wrote, I am so happy that I am not perfect. He, too, wanted parishioners to know that God does not want us to be perfect. Imperfections keep you humble, he said, Your imperfections do not offend God. Daley encouraged us to relax and let God do the work, saying, When you say yes to the Lord you go with life as life gives it to you. Trust in the Lord. He will help you. He also said it was OK to have a little sense of humor in your spirituality. He actually encouraged it. He joked, Why did I become a priest? Because I was a lousy kisser! Parishioners responded with light-hearted laughs, as he followed up with, Never take yourself too seriously. When one parishioner said, I ve made mistakes. How do I let go and trust God? Daley answered, The Lord loves us as we are. We have to love ourselves. This is why Daley suggested reading The Story of a Soul the autobiography of Saint Thérèse. It was first published on September 30, 1898, a year to the day after her death from tuberculosis at the age of 24. The beauty of Saint Thérèse is, she wasn t perfect, he said. Daley left parishioners saying, I will be praying for you for the rest of the year, because we all struggle. That s the spiritual life. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux found peace with her imperfections, Daley said. 7

8 Tickets are now on sale for Taste of Life A food and wine party to support Living Room, an organization that helps poor people who are HIV-positive acquire and maintain safe and affordable housing. Saturday, June 8, p.m. Holy Cross Church Hall To purchase tickets on-line, go to The HIV and AIDS Ministry will sell tickets in the narthex after Masses the weekends of May 11-12, May and June 1-2. Personal checks and cash will be accepted. The cost of tickets is $50 per person, $90 per couple when purchased in advance, and $55 per person, $100 per couple at the door, if available. If you would like to volunteer to help with the event, contact Pam Dorsett at pgdorsett@aol.com. To donate items for the silent auction or raffles, contact Carmen Graciaa at graciaafamily@gmail.com. Reaching Out staff: Doris Bucher, Pam Dorsett, Paul Dulion, Lou Erbs, Kelly George, Jay McLendon and Mary O Connor. The staff welcome your comments and contributions. To contact the editor, pgdorsett@aol.com. 8