Monday, March 28, 2005 | 11:10 a.m.
Jack Penning watched as his Fighting Illini were down 15 points with four minutes to go Saturday, so he made a deal.
"I prayed and I said if we can come back and win this game, I'll go to church tomorrow," Penning said.
Illinois made a glorious comeback, reaching the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, and Penning joined thousands of other tourists who attended the Guardian Angel Cathedral for Easter Mass on Sunday.
"Here I am, true to my word," Penning said.
Tourists drove, taxied, and walked from the Strip to attend Mass at the cathedral on the most holy day of the Christian year.
Director of liturgical ministries Michael LaRocca, who coordinates the Mass, said Easter is the cathedral's busiest day. He estimated 11,000 people -- 80 percent of them tourists -- attended one of six Easter Masses at the cathedral.
Extra ushers and priests were called to accommodate the crowd. Hundreds of people listened to Mass over loudspeakers in the packed cathedral's courtyard.
"It's amazing to us that people who are here to enjoy Las Vegas will take time out to honor God," LaRocca said. "We like to consider the cathedral their parish away from home."
The cathedral at 302 Cathedral Way is sandwiched between hotels and marquees directly off the Strip next to Wynn Las Vegas.
Derek Miller of Allentown, Pa., looked around as he stood in front of the cathedral. "It's a little oasis inside of Las Vegas, isn't it," he said.
He and his wife were visiting for fun and business. Their hotel concierge recommended the cathedral.
Kathleen Miller said she enjoyed the Mass. "I think it's nice they welcome visitors," she said.
Added Derek, "We'll have to tell everybody that we went to Mass in Las Vegas."
Such a mass is an ordinary event for cathedral regular and Las Vegas resident Robert Boettcher. He has noticed the numerous full pews on Easter and other holidays.
"The bigger the better," he said.
Boettcher, 73, recalled how Easter used to be and said it is not necessarily bad some people attend only on holidays.
What he wishes is that people wouldn't hold back in singing hymns -- and he misses good Easter clothes.
"There should be at least one day when you dress up and everybody else does, too," Boettcher said. He lamented the appearance of cargo shorts.
The cathedral predates most of the modern Strip and even much of Las Vegas. It was built in 1963. Inside, large stained glass windows -- the church equivalent of neon -- line the hall. Christ rises like a star in a colorful mural above the altar.
Vanessa Tondini of Juneau, Alaska, said any church should stand apart from its surroundings.
"Whenever you go to church you step out of wherever you are," Tondini said.
She and a friend have attended the cathedral during previous visits and said it's a wonderful place. She said escaping the Alaskan winter helped her recognize her blessings.
"When you're on vacation it definitely makes you realize all that you have to be thankful for in your life." Tondini said.
She prepared to attend mass, spoke with a friend, and said, "It is kind of funny, though, being in Vegas and going to church."
The cathedral's association Las Vegas makes it unique, said LaRocca, the church administrator. It leaves visitors one more thing to remember.
"One of the things we pride ourselves on here at the cathedral is our celebrations are very grand," LaRocca said. "People will leave here saying they've never experienced a mass like this anywhere."
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