The Denver Catholic Register

The Denver Catholic Register VOL. LXVI N0.27 JU LY 4, 1990 Colorado’s Largest Weekly 24 P A G E S 25 C E N TS ‘The cultural and ethnic diversity of those assembled for eucharistic celebrations should be reflected throughout the celebration.’ By Christine Capra-Kramer Past and present tend. The problem is the language change, back and Register Staff “Not everybody understands everything that’s go forth,” said Father Ruiz. Even the mere mention of bilingual Masses can ing on in a bilingual Mass. Yet, the whole experience The vicar for Hispanics recommends a separate evoke controversy and strong differences of opinion speaks to us of our past and present. Language is Spanish Mass and English Mass. — among both Hispanics and Anglos. bound to culture and bound by the past and present Joining groups And for some Anglos — especially those with a and the future,” he said. In defining a bilingual Mass, Father Lorenzo Ruiz, "That's the best way, and you can integrate the two tradition of fear of other cultures and languages — periodically. First we have to serve the Spanish the custom of bilingual Masses has become an emo vicar for Hispanic Affairs for the Denver archdiocese of Denver, said that a bilingual Mass is effective speaking group, because they have been starved, tionally charged issue. before we can join the two" Yet, bilingual celebrations — with the liturgy in when both Spanish- and English-speaking people at tend Mass and leave satisfied. Many advocates of bilingual Masses say that sepa English and Spanish — will become more and more rating the two groups is not healthy for the commu the norm as other ethnic groups grow in number in According to the Guidelines for Multi-Linguai Masses produced in 1&87 by the Federation of Dioc nity. the Catholic Church, according to Father Virgil El But Father Ruiz disagrees. izondo, rector of San Fernando Cathedral in San esan Liturgical Commissions, “The cultural and ethnic diversity of those assembled for eucharistic “People overrate the separation aspect. Separation Antonio, Tex., and a member of the faculty of the is good,” said the priest. “Individual groups need a Mexican American Cultural Center. celebrations should be reflected throughout the cel ebration.,,as well as in the choice of musical texts lot of attention and once they have that then it’s time Language of worship and styles and in the determination of languages to intergrate the two. Right now, the Spanish group is starved.” “The language of worship is emotional. It's not so which will be used to proclaim the scipture readings He said also that in Denver many people feel the much that you understand every word said, because and prayers of the Mass.” bilingual Mass is not going to work. it is based more on feeling,” said Father Elizondo. The norms are written, yet putting it into practice “Here the identity isn’t so strong and here there is “Language is not simply verbal communication, it is another matter. Many priests and laity admit that bilingual Masses are not an easy task. the need for full-fledged Spanish Masses,” said Fa communicates identity, culture, history, past and ther Ruiz, present,” said Father Marshall Gourley, pastor of Native vocations Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Denver, Feels they are effective “They aren’t that easy to do. We don’t have a lot of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has two Masses on On the other hand, Rae Lujan, chairperson of the Sunday in Spanish and three with varying degrees of native vocations and it takes a certain person to do bilingual Masses,” said Ron Cruz, associate director Hispanic Worship Committee and a member of the bilingual communciation. archdiocesan liturgy commission, said she feels that On any given Sunday, his church is overflowing for Hispanic Affairs for the U.S. Catholic Conference in Washingtopn, D.C. bilingual Masses are very effective. with parishioners. At a recent 9:30 a.m, bilingual “No one feels IcR out in the bilingual Mass, espe Mass, people were lined up along the sides of the “Nevertheless,” he said, “bilingual Masses are a wonderful gesture. People are more concerned with cially when the Mass is printed in both languages,” pews as well as in the back. said Lujan. The priest combines both English and Spanish, the attitude of the pastor and the parish and if there’s an attempt to try. The bilingual Masses have Lujan said the problem with all-Spanish Masses is weaving the two throughout the Mass. The music also that many people are third- and fourth-generation is sung in both English and Spanish. their strength in the southwest." The controversy surrounding bilingual Masses Spanish speakers who don’t use the language that “It’s simple,” said Father Gourley. “Forty percent oRen. of this parish doesn’t understand English. They won’t comes into focus when the issue of language arises. be nourished by the word of God if they can’t under “Most Hispanics say the bilingual Mass doesn’t stand it.” satisfy either the Anglos or the Hispanics who at Continued on page 3 1 Jlio p le of Limon Theologians The cheating to w ia iy of hope and dissent of our children .. 4 and 9. Pages PageTornado 2 — July 4, 1990 — Denver Catholic Register aftermath Ray of hope for the people of Limon By Colleen Smith Mason thinking about what might have happened that patient, " said Father Kelleher. "I reminded them l-'itidin,t> u silver lining in a cicvastaling tornado didn't. What sustains them is a deep sense of hope that it would be a long process of grieving. They cloud is no easy task. But Father Jerome Kelleher, and faith. " might be at another person’s house and see a family pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Limon, said Struggle. Father Kelleher said, is nothing new to picture and realize that they don’t have a family that ho and the victims of the mid-June tornado the people of Limon. He noted that life on the high picture anymore and they will hurt and they will ci-y glitnijse sterling in the fact that the tornado claimed and dry eastern plains of Colorado has always held and that’s okay.” no lives. challenge and required stoicism. On behalf of all the Limon tornado victims, Father Another ray of hope is seen by the people of Limon "These are men and women and children who face Kelleher expressed both gratitude and concern. “The HI a check for more than $58,000, donated to the a difficult life every day," said F'ather Kelleher. response has been overwhelming,” he said. ‘“We arc .Archdiocese of Denver Tornado Relief Fund. "Many are descendents of original homesteaders. thankful for all the food, the clothes, the money.” Bishop Richard C. Hanifen of Colorado Springs, They are determined, hard workers, and they have a Father Kelleher added that in the wake of disas the diocese in which Limon is located, expressed histoi-y of family and a history of faith.” ters, the initial response typically is great. However, gratitude on behalf of his diocese. Though the people of Limon have weathered the he added, after the wail of the sirens and the roar of "Together with the goodness of our people from storm. Father Kelleher noted that the aftermath of the tornado have grown silent, the initial response the dioceses of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, these the tornado, coupled with the recent heat wave, plus fades. Volunteers disappear. The media focuses on contributions will go a long way toward showing our the upcoming harvest, add up to a situation that the next disaster. love to this community so stricken. May God bless the could breed hopelessness. “People in Limon hope that they won’t be for people of the Denver Archdiocese." "It's a difficult time," said Father Kelleher, ap gotten," he said. “Weeks, and months and years later, Additional archdiocesan support will come from pealing for prayers. "We are called to remember all people will still need to be remembered.” SllARR Colorado, sponsored by Denver Catholic the suffering. We need to remember that we are not Community Services. SHARE collected and shipped 3bing this alone. The Lord’s promise is real and clothing and $3,500 worth of food to Limon and is present. In suffering, God joins us and brings us back The generous response to the Archdiocese of coordinating volunteer assistance to tornado victims. into the mystery of Christ and challenges us to look Denver Tornado Relief Fund is the latest dem Father Kelleher said that approximately 110 fami at the real meaning of life." onstration of the compassion of the people of the lies belong to Our Lady of Victory Parish in Limon. In his first homily after the storm. Father Kelleher Church of northern Colorado. In 1989, the peo The church structure is intact, according to the said he urged the tornado victims to keep themselves ple of the Archdiocese of Denver contributed priest but many parishioners suffered losses. mentally, spiritually and physically healthy. He $23,849.58 to assist the recovery and reconstruc "1 think most people now are over the initial shock noted that just as the tornado created rubble, the tion efforts following Hurricane Hugo and and fear and wonder, and they have moved on to emotional trauma of the aftermath can destroy rela $39,979.36 to assist the victims of the California recovering and grieving,” Father Kelleher said. tionships. earthquake. “They are thinning through what they lost.

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