GARY – An early-evening Christmas Eve Mass drew faithful eager to celebrate the birth of Jesus and join fellow Catholics from across the diocese at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels.
On Dec. 24, Bishop Robert J. McClory preached about the “incredible” story of the nativity of the savior, the humble and accessible arrival of the redeemer that could be seen as “preposterous” to non-believers.
“Because we’ve grown up with nativity sets – or at least I have – and because over our lifetimes, for most of us born and raised as Christians, Catholics, we get so familiar with the imagery surrounding Christmas that the reality of what that imagery means, what that history means for all of us sometimes can lose its potency,” the bishop said from an ambo flanked by poinsettias and a crèche.
“We need to be refreshed in our understanding and appreciation of this tremendous truth that God came with skin on Him,” he continued, adding, “It is a uniquely Christian belief that God Himself came to us as, indeed, true God and true man.”
The approachable, gentle nature of the Christ Child can assuage those who, throughout history, have found a journey to God an awkward reach to an “other being” who only grants access to the “perfect” or people “who have their act together.”
Bishop McClory instead spoke of Jesus’ arrival and life of faithfulness as “the greatest act of humility,” that no other belief system, philosophy or motivational content can match.
“It reveals not just God’s love for us, our God’s approachability, but it is also a tremendous act of humility for Jesus to completely do the will of the Father, ultimately (to be sacrificed) on the cross.”
Believers can choose a “beautiful way to live,” according to the diocesan shepherd, trusting that Jesus’ example leads people to the Father.
“It shows us that we can come to Jesus, but we can also say, ‘Lord, you trusted completely in God the Father...’ ‘If you can do that, I want to do that,’” Bishop McClory explained.
Jesus’ virgin mother and foster father each responded with a “Yes” to angelic messengers and dreams asking their cooperation in God’s plan to bring the Emmanuel to earth. But the bishop said he could imagine how it was not easy to surrender, positing that Joseph could have easily responded, “You're telling me what?”
The cathedral Christmas liturgy was punctuated by age-old hymns such as “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and “Joy to the World,” performed by singers and musicians from Gary and across the diocese. These prayers that soared to the vaults of the structure elicited applause at the conclusion of the Mass.
Another prayer suggested by Bishop McClory to the faithful gathered and those who will later receive his words was the “Surrender Novena.” The ordinary said he has prayed the devotion daily for about a year.
The practice is centered around a simple prayer developed by a contemporary of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, “O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
Bishop McClory said the effective prayer articulates the reality that “I can’t do it on my own.”
“Far more than (living) an inert life ... If our fundamental disposition is to say, ‘Lord, you give me the gift of yourself on Christmas, I am going to give myself to you.’”
Franciscan Father Michael Surufka not only assisted in the preparation of the cathedral for Christmas worship, but also vested as a concelebrant with the bishop, who presided.
Greeting those who joined the sizable crowd that gathered for one of the earliest vigil Masses in the diocese, the cathedral rector sounded a note of optimism for the renewed interest in attendance at Catholic churches, especially in Gary.
“There are people moving into Gary, especially the west side of Gary. This is our area of focus, so we actually are seeing an increase,” Father Surufka, OFM, said as he pointed out a family who recently moved to the Steel City from Chicago. “When they’re looking around for a church, we’re the Church.”
Gary churches are served by the Franciscans, and among those in his order, Father Surufka finds joy in that particular vocation. More people in the pews would be an edifying development.
“I love living in this city and praying in all of the churches,” he said. “It’s a very hopeful moment for the city and the Church.”
Cris Petros, wife of Deacon Robert Petros of St. Patrick in Chesterton, also greeted those arriving at Holy Angels. She said a break from yuletide traditions was made in the spirit of service.
When they heard of the diocesan Mass set for Christmas Eve, they said, “Let’s do it.”
“This is the first Christmas Eve in 56 years that I’m not with my family,” said Cris Petros. “There are eight of us and two are with their grandchildren in Florida, so the rest of us decided that we will do our own (Christmas plans).”
That itinerary included Deacon Petros vesting to assist at the cathedral Mass along with Deacon Martin Brown. “We really emphasize giving to others,” Deacon Petros’ wife concluded.
Garry Graban, a Hobart resident and parishioner of St. Bridget church, remarked about the central themes of Bishop McClory’s Christmas Eve homily. As his Uber driver awaited his departure after Mass, he said that he was struck by the beauty of liturgy, the atmosphere and song.
“Knowing that Jesus came into this (world) as a baby and endured everything he endured through the cross and grave (reminds us) that we need to turn our problems over to Him,” said Graban. “Trust Him. Trust the plan and increase our faith.”
Graban continued, looking forward to a fantastic year ahead, “We’re never done in our growth of faith ... When we come back to worship at the nativity next year, let us be that much closer.”
Caption: Franciscan Father Michael Surufka (center) makes announcements at the conclusion of Mass on Christmas Eve in the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. The Dec. 24 liturgy, among the earliest offered in the diocese to celebrate Nativity of the Lord, was presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory and attended by believers from across the Region. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
