VALPARAISO – A new teaching initiative at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is designed to bring believers closer to the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith, the Mass.
No great trek or climb was required for worshippers who gathered on the icy morning of Jan. 29, and were warmly greeted by Father Mick Kopil, pastor, in the narthex. They simply found their favourite pews and kneeled, sat or generally prepared for the start of the liturgy.
When the time arrived for Mass to start, however, Father Kopil appeared wearing black clerics and white Roman collar without the usual liturgical vestments he dons. He walked to the sanctuary to begin the first of four weekly Sunday morning “teaching Mass” sessions.
Father Kopil delivered the first topical presentation addressing the Introductory Rites and the significance of the attire that a priest puts on before he processes into the liturgy.
"The first thing the priest puts on is the alb; it’s a very fancy name, which, in Latin, means, ‘the white thing,’” Father Kopil said to laughter from those congregated.
Though he was leading the instructional session and would celebrate Mass, assisted by Deacon Peter Znika, Jr., Father Kopil said the first vestment a priest puts on reminds him “it’s not about me,” but the person he represents. A white alb symbolizes the purity of baptism and obscures the personal characteristics of a celebrant.
The key concept, according to Father Kopil, is that the priest is “in persona Christi,” or representing the Lord during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Next, Father Kopil tied a cincture or rope around his waist to draw in the flowing alb. The tie stands for the virtue of chastity and dedication to the Church.
“As I’m putting on my alb and cincture I’m also praying – not just about the things of the world that I have to worry about, but just getting ready for what I’m about to do. In the morning, I’m praying my ‘Morning Offering,’” said Father Kopil.
Before fitting into his chasuble – colored to match the liturgical season or holy day – and yoke, Father Kopil placed a stole over his neck draping it on each side of his chest and explained that the device was carried over from Roman times, when court officials wore such a garment to show their sanctioned roles.
Later, Father Kopil summarized his remarks about the Introductory Rites of the Mass.
“The opening prayer lets us know what we’re thinking about for this Mass today. It’s kind of like what we do when we go to someone’s house: we greet each other, we get ready to spend time together, then we get our stories together,” he said.
Soon Mass began as cantor Caitlyn Pszonka and organist Mike Glowacki led the congregation in the entrance hymn.
A 47-year parishioner “since the parish’s inception,” Yvonne McClasky made sure she came to the early morning Mass on Jan. 5. She said having attended a one-off teaching liturgy in 2022 hosted at the church, she was interested in hearing how Father Kopil would reprise that educational offering.
Saying she believed that “the Holy Spirit will enlighten” those who attend, McClasky is also on a quest to “draw closer to the Lord,” especially in preparation for Lent.
“Once you understand the Mass better, it is the most beautiful form of worship and the greatest prayer that we have," said McClasky. “When Father Mick breaks it down (in his lessons) it’s very enlightening and you just know that this is the Church that Jesus Christ instituted.”
Echoing the affirmations about Mass promulgated in the Second Vatican Council, McClasky continued, “I believe the Eucharist is our source and summit – a time of praise, adoration and thanksgiving.”
The Whiting native hearkened to the Catholic upbringing of her parents and said she has also been “blessed with good pastors.”
Celine Henderlong, also a cradle Catholic, joined the Valparaiso parish in 1980. She said she learned some new things at the teaching Mass.
Henderlong reflected on Father Kopil’s statements praising the presence of the Mass-goers, as he said any number of more restful or entertaining options can present themselves to today’s faithful.
“We’re not here as robots being automatic; (knowing the symbolism) gives more meaning to our presence here at Mass.”
Ten-month-old Zachariah Smith was well-behaved during Mass. His only outbursts were excitable coos when Father Kopil was displaying his vestments. The baby’s parents, Mark and Lauren Smith, were married at SEAS in 2001, and their son was baptized at the church.
Before their nuptials, Lauren completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and received her sacraments, becoming a Catholic like her husband. Their months-long search for a church home led them to St. Elizabeth.
“I think it’s very important to Father Mick that people understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ and the correct terminology – that’s how we ended up at St. Elizabeth. We appreciate how Father Mick is intentional in what he wants the parish to understand," Lauren Smith said.
“I agree; the presentation of all the different aspects, especially broken into parts, helps us to have a deeper sense of our presence and our worship," said Mark Smith. “I have to believe that if they do this in other parishes, we would be more educated.”
Lauren Smith said that the fact that the pastor and parishioners made efforts to educate and welcome the couple, “lit a fire” for her faith.
Father Kopil said he is seeking to inspire that kind of engagement in addition to heeding the call of Catholic bishops, who are promoting a Eucharistic revival.
“Our shepherds of the faith are asking us to pay more attention to the gift that is the Eucharist – not only in the Blessed Sacrament and receiving Holy Communion, but also in the Eucharistic liturgy,” said Father Kopil. “So, one of the things we are doing over the next four weeks is talking about the Eucharistic Liturgy we celebrate every Sunday.”
Father Kopil said the remaining three teaching Mass sessions will continue (the second on Feb. 5) and cover the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites. Each session kicks off at 8:30 a.m. in the church.