ST. LADISLAS CHURCH

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Laura Weldon,   Special to The Plain Dealer

Leslie Montgomery finds that serving as lector and cantor at St. Ladislas Church enhances her faith.

"One of the richest things for me is the opportunity to proclaim the Word through the responsorial psalm," Montgomery says. "Truly I've learned as much Scripture through song as any other. Then when you are reading the Scripture, it gives it an even deeper meaning."

Montgomery also facilitates a group at St. Ladislas called Ministry of Mothers Sharing. Women are provided a journal with subjects for reflection and prayer and meet weekly for a faith discussion group.

"The major focus is on ordinary holiness, the church of the home," she says. "We help women realize [that] their own daily activities are a way they praise and worship God."

Beyond these volunteer roles, Montgomery is enrolled in the certification process for Lay Pastoral Ministry through the Diocese of Cleveland. She is in her first year of this program, which instructs in theology, church history and basic pastoral skills. She's an avid learner, with a briefcase full of books beyond those required, including several on Ignatian spirituality.

"I just finished a course on the sacraments, which was terribly exciting," says Montgomery. "It takes you through the documents of the church. It gives you a richer idea of what it is we celebrate. It's remarkable how absolutely beautiful the true theology of the church is."

She explains that her faith has evolved. "That's what the Catholic faith is, a continual process of conversion, growing closer and more deeply in tune with the ways of Christ."

As she delves into spiritual reading, she finds resonance in her own life. "It's an amazing process learning to look back at your life in deeper and in different ways, to see what the journey has been about," she says. "It helps you be who you are in a more content way."

Montgomery is grateful for the welcoming community at St. Ladislas. There, she says, "I have always found an avenue for deepening my faith. It's been a respite, a place of comfort and growth."

A recent visit: This contemporary church is built in the shape of a cross, with the altar as a center point. Comfortable padded chairs replace traditional pews, and simple adornments predominate. A large stained-glass window gracing the shrine area was salvaged from the original St. Ladislas church in Cleveland, which was destroyed by fire in 1970.

Five o'clock Mass begins in the last light of day. As cantor, Montgomery's rich alto voice calls out to the congregation. They respond, together singing in shared faith. Throughout the service, music and prayer form a holy conversation, with the liturgy drawing worshippers into the active praise of God.

"We begin this season of Advent with great hope," says the Rev. Donald Snyder in his homily. "In the darkness we call out and say light is coming. One of the things Advent tells us is to look at our own lives and ask, where can I banish darkness?"

The final prayer ends as dusk gives way to night. In this church, as in so many others, the timeless rituals of Mass keep alive the light of faith for each believer.