Mass with a Twist and School Doors

My Brother and I in the Church

Today, my brother and I woke up to go to Sunday morning Mass at St. Charles parish. It was the most interesting and different Catholic service that I have ever attended. At the time of consecration,the priest held in his hands eagle feathers and a bag of pollen (both of which are Apache symbols). Father Gino said the Mass facing East to represent the Apache belief that East is the mother or life giving direction. Father Gino's homily explained the how the Apache see God as a father and as a mother.
It is facinating to see how the Apache people can integrate their culture and beliefs about nature with their Catholic faith in a way that they respect both and give themselves fully to both.
I also had my first interactions with some Apache residents here at San Carlos. I met a man named Robert before Mass. He was weary looking man (like most people living here) with blood shot eyes and teeth that were in need of dental care. However within the first five minutes of our conversation he had already offered to take me to a Geronimo monument about 20 miles away. He also offered to take my brother and I out to dinner at a restaurant in a nearby town that is popular among the Apache at San Carlos. Robert was very funny and rather light-hearted. Robert seemed like an anomoly here on the Rez because most of these people live in such horrifying poverty and are faced with addiction and disease on a daily basis. The small crowd that came to Mass all had a common look to them. They all seemed tired and stressed. Anguish and pain filled the small church quickly. Father Gino presented my brother and I with Apache crosses. These crosses were not the traditional Catholic crucifix but rather painted oak wood crosses with bright colors to represent the Apache cardinal directions.


A Beautiful Painting on the School Wall

Today we also painted the last of the doors at the school. The school is looking a lot better than the last time I visited. I am sure that this is due to the efforts of Father Gino, the nuns living here, the staff of St. Charles School, and other volunteers just like my brother and I.


Painting the Doors