Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
St Louis the King, Glendale
Location: Arizona, USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 23 February 2025, 9:00am
The building
The parish was formed in 1962, and the building dates from 1964. From the outside looks like it was once a motel. However, it was apparently designed that way from the start to be a church and school, although I could discover nothing about the building’s history. Inside, one finds a bright but plain room. The altar includes a bas-relief of the Last Supper. A life-size crucifix hangs on the wall behind the altar. Musical instruments are to the right.
The church
Their website describes them as ‘a culturally diverse eucharistic community committed to growth in holiness… through worship, evangelization, formation and works of charity and social justice.’ The very well thought of parish school, one of the highest ranking private schools in Arizona, serves kindergarten through eighth grade – there is a waiting list for admission. The parish hosts a chapter of the Knights of Columbus and puts on a fish fry every Friday evening, with entertainment. In addition to Sunday school for children of preschool through junior high age, they also offer RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). There are Saturday vigil masses in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, and Sunday masses in English, Spanish, Burmese and Eritrean.
The neighborhood
Glendale is the first suburb you come to as you travel west from Phoenix. The church is located at 43rd Avenue and Maryland Avenue, a primarily working-class residential neighborhood. There is a park diagonally across the intersection. One does wonder what they think of one of the neighboring businesses, Red Butterfly Massage, which offers (quoting from their website) ‘unprecedented relaxation and comfort.’
The cast
There was no indication of who the priest was who took the mass, but I don’t think it was the pastor. He wore full eucharistic vestiture and was assisted by an acolyte in alb and cincture who doubled as crucifer.
What was the name of the service?
Sunday Mass (English), Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.How full was the building?
I estimated the capacity to be about 400. There were 65 people present. Primarily unaccompanied middle-aged gentlemen and ladies, although there were a few elderly couples, a few families with small children, and at least one teenager.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Greeters at the door said, ‘Good morning. How are you?’
Was your pew comfortable?
Uncushioned wooden pew – comfortable enough.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
A gentleman was leading the handful of people who were there in the glorious mysteries of the rosary. One gentleman was reciting the prayers in a very loud voice, as if he wanted to be sure the Blessed Mother heard him. I’ll have more to say about him later. At the conclusion of the rosary, however, he apparently didn’t know the Salve Regina, as he kept quiet. After the rosary was done, the leader recited the Leonine Prayer to St Michael the Archangel, which I always like to hear, especially given the relatively large number of demons who nowadays ‘prowl about the world seeking the destruction of souls.’ After that, there was some quiet visiting among those who were there for the rosary, but as others entered they remained silent.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
The bell rang, and we sang ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven’ to the customary tune of Lauda Anima as the procession came up the aisle – well, the cantor sang it anyway, as the congregation remained silent for the most part. Then: ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
None. Everything was projected.
What musical instruments were played?
Grand piano, in approximate tune – it will need a visit from the tuner before long. The pianist also served as cantor, and he was joined by a woman standing at a microphone – at least I think he was, as she wasn’t particularly audible.
Did anything distract you?
I’m afraid the loud-throated gentleman who had prayed the rosary was a major distraction. He remained for mass, and recited the prayers and responses as loudly as he had prayed the rosary.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Well, we started off well, with ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven’ and the Kyrie chanted in Greek to the tune from the Gregorian Missa Pro Defunctis, but the rest of the music consisted of those empty ditties that, sadly, have supplanted the glorious musical tradition of the Western Church. The mass itself was well celebrated. Interestingly, though, the acolyte did not sit on the sedilia next to the priest during the liturgy of the word, but rather sat in the congregation. Bells at the Hanc igitur as well as at the consecration. We received communion under the species of bread only.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
12 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
7 — The priest read his sermon from a text but tried not to look like he was doing so. This to me is not the same as preaching. I thought the sermon rambled on a bit too long after the point was made.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
Life does not have all of the answers. Things don’t always turn out as we may wish. Does this mean that the only good in life is our hope for better things in the world to come? Hardly! We strive to be like Jesus, but failing to do so doesn’t mean we don’t believe. Hypocrites don’t believe. Sinners believe but often fall short of the mark. We must not judge others, but there are moral laws that we are expected to follow. Jesus is our model. Following him is our recipe for spiritual joy. Eternal life is his promise.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
I really don’t think that anything rose to this level – well, maybe the Leonine Prayer to St Michael the Archangel. I really do like that prayer, and it is so appropriate not only to the age in which Pope Leo XIII wrote it, but to our present age.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
I don’t mean to be uncharitable, but the loud-throated gentleman really got on my nerves.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
The recessional hymn was ‘How Great Thou Art’ – not my idea of a recessional. Apparently the congregation didn’t think so either, as most of them cleared out as soon as the cross had passed by. They weren’t singing anyway – why stick around? Those few who did stick it out applauded when the hymn was over. This unfortunate custom really does need to be stamped out. Nothing else happened – there was no visiting, no greeting. I slipped out a side door.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
I don’t believe there was any.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
I can’t think of anything that would draw me back.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Neutral.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
The loud-throated gentleman.