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Happening ... in the Local Church
 More
than 60 people attended this year’s barn Mass near Kokomo to celebrate
the feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. (Photo by Lisa Wilson-Cotillier) |
 “This
barn Mass brings to reality the poverty in which St. Nicholas desired to
serve the people,” Father Ted Dudzinski tells those attending. |
 Andrea
Peterson visits with St. Nicholas (portrayed by Fred Tragesser) as he
hands out chocolate coins. |
By Lisa L. Wilson
The Catholic Moment
KOKOMO — A red barn on a quiet rural road became a humble temple to the Lord Dec. 6 as members of St. Joan of Arc Parish came to celebrate a barn Mass to honor St. Nicholas.
The feast of St. Nicholas celebrates a holy man who humbly served the poor, said Father Ted Dudzinski, moderator of the pastoral team serving St. Joan of Arc and St. Patrick parishes here.
It was the first barn Mass in two years. The outside temperature stood at 23 degrees.
“The barn Mass was a longstanding tradition in our parish, and people thought it would be nice if we started it again,” said George “Bud” Fivecoate, who coordinated the event with his wife, Joyce. “We approached Father Ted and he gave the OK, and here we are. I think it allows us to recognize St. Nicholas, and also to have a better understanding of what it would have been like to go to Mass 1,000 years ago with no heat and very little light.”
“It’s humbling to be in a barn and not sitting in a pew in a heated church,” Joyce Fivecoate said. “It really helps people grab ahold of the meaning of Advent, and to prepare for the birth of our Lord. It just puts everything in perspective.”
“This barn Mass brings to reality the poverty in which St. Nicholas desired to serve the people,” Father Dudzinski said. “St. Nicholas was a gift-giver through faith and love, and his life serves as a lesson for us as we begin Advent and prepare for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
“This is a great opportunity for us to embrace the reality of who St. Nicholas really was, and as we journey through Advent, it’s a great opportunity to keep in perspective the great gift that God has given us in Christ. St. Nicholas witnessed that and shared it with others,” he said.
St. Nicholas was born near Myra, a port on the Mediterranean Sea, during the fourth century. His parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died when he was a youngster, leaving him great wealth. He used his inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering. He was made bishop of Myra while still a young man. He died on Dec. 6, 343. He is the patron saint of children, sailors and pawn brokers.
Fred Tragesser, a parishioner, portrayed St. Nicholas at the Kokomo celebration and distributed candy that resembled gold coins.
Planning the Mass brought many people together.
“The youth group came out to clean and decorate the barn,” Joyce Fivecoate said. “They hung lights, laid out bales of hay and made luminaries that lit the path to the barn.”
Several people from RCIA served refreshments. “It’s always been cold and it’s not unusual to have snow,” Diana Voiles, parish secretary, said of the Mass. “It really takes you back and makes you think about what it would have been like for Christians in the early days and especially to think about what it was like for Mary and Joseph with the little baby Jesus in the stable.”
More than 60 people, including parishioner Rachel Patterson, attended.
“This Mass really helps my family focus on the true meaning of Advent,” she said. “It also prepares us for the joy of Christmas. We really enjoy it and I am so glad to have it back again.”
Parishioner Barbara Sandoe had never been to a barn Mass before.
“It was wonderful, despite the cold,” she said. “I’ll definitely come again.”