OK, the Triduum is over, the Mission Awareness Retreat finished, my Easter duties at the Korean church complete and I am slowly emerging from the recently vacated tomb to walk among the living once again.
First, the Triduum. Thanks to Theresa Rodrigues, Mario Cerdas, and the housekeeping crew who literally put their backs into the task of transforming our main chapel into a truly inspiring place of communal worship, introducing the much-maligned AMBO!
Yes, folks, after 13 YEARS and 12 months (to allow for our Centenary) Fr. Dougherty authorized a ONE YEAR experiment of the new (?) ambo. Commissioned and custom designed to complement our Queen of Apostles Chapel, the ambo became the center of controversy and dissent back in the late 1990s when some protested the cost (most of which was donated or designated) while others the design and still others (myself included) the placement. It cannot be anywhere near the altar.
Holy Week, when we traditionally rearrange our chapel into quasi choral style, seemed the best time to begin the experiment. As the newly appointed director of liturgy for the Society and Center (like I need another hat to wear) I invoked the principles of Fung Shui and together with above mentioned crew plus added input from Fr. John Kaserow and Fr. Mike Walsh, we all pushed and tweaked and rearranged until we got things where they now look FANTASTIC!
"The Word of God finally gets the respect it is due" is the effect we aimed for—and got. Several people, upon walking into the chapel seeing the new arrangement and ambo, simply said "Wow."
Of course there is still some tweaking to do, namely lighting and audio work. Complaints were about readers not speaking into the mic or speaking too fast. But in all due humility I can report: it works.
So during the three holy days when we accompanied our Lord through death to resurrection, it seems for the coming year, at least, the ambo is also back up from the dead. And, you ready for this? I have heard only positive comments. Who says miracles don't happen any more?
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