Trinity Cathedral hosts quadrilingual service

By Greta Huls/Canon for Communications

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.” Psalm 98

PHOENIX – If the calendar and the presence of the Advent wreath hadn’t insisted it was Advent, most people attending the Quadrilingual service on Dec. 20 at Trinity Cathedral would have thought it was Pentecost.

In a celebration of “black, white, yellow and brown” the congregations of Catedral de la Trinidad and St. Paul the Apostle Sudanese worshiped together at the 12:30 p.m. service mixing African drums, Mariachis, English, Spanish, Dinka, and even one prayer in Italian.

The two congregations became close during the past two Hispanic and Sudanese Family Retreat Weekends at Chapel Rock, but the combined camp has become so popular that it needs to split this summer into two separate camps. This service was devised to maintain their close relationship.

Members of the Sudanese congregation led the processional with singing and dancing accompanied by the sound of pounding drums. They also offered music during the offertory and the recessional. Mariachis provided most of the additional service music.

The Rev. Anderia Arok of St. Paul’s gave the sermon while The Rev. Canon Carmen Guerrero of Catedral de la Trinidad translated his Dinka-accented English into Spanish – which led to a little confusion and a few laughs at times.

The Rev. Canon Licia Baldi Affer of Trinity Cathedral celebrated the Eucharist and offered the Bendición in her native Italian.

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2

Throughout the entire service there was a sense of praise that extended beyond the language barriers. I didn’t think Catedral de la Trinidad could get any better after my last visit. I was wrong. I hope they combine services with St. Paul the Apostle again soon.