There's a reason I like mass to be no longer than 47 minutes with music. And to start three to five minutes early. And preferably be in a church with a hearty dose of brown. And that reason is Nativity, the place where I have by far logged most of my mass going hours.
I made it to 5:30 mass on Sunday afternoon. I had last gone there for a friend's funeral, and before that I can't remember for sure. I was nervous as I walked in. I took what used to be my regular seat and the feel of the wood below my hands was familiar. Not much else was. There was no quiet before mass began. The altar has been flip flopped and there are now two projection screens on either side of the crucifix. I can admit that those were helpful for responses for the New Roman Missal and for the Apostle's Creed.
Things got started with a video message introducing us to the current message series on finding happiness. Later there was a second recorded message reminding us to turn off our cell phones and telling us there are programs available for children. I could feel myself getting annoyed, but as things got lower tech, I settled down.
A priest I didn't know was saying mass, and I was admittedly disappointed. I was hoping to hear the homily of a certain pastor. Never fear, he appeared, as if out of no where, and gave the homily, which was rather engaging. But kind of weird.
In fact, the whole thing is kind of weird. There are responses in Latin and bells to the setting of a Christian rock band. The Gather books are long gone. At the end of mass, two members of the parish staff recapped the homily (which is also recapped in the church bulletin, in case you are a slow learner). Then, they asked you to turn your phone back on so that you could vote for the time of the Easter service (not mass) by text. Oh, and if you don't have a phone, you can vote by Facebook.
And I was doing so well. Part of me wants to get philosophical here about how you can't go home again or step in the same river twice or something. But I won't. I'll just know that this place holds a lifetime of happy memories and was more than worth a second look.
I'm planning on St. Stephan's in Bradshaw, 6 pm on Saturday.
interesting blog - I'm an every Sunday Nativity guy. I start going there because it is close to my house and had an 8 am mass w/o singing that lasted 40 min. Fr White changed the parish about 5 years ago and turned the church on its head - and got everyone active in the parish. im spoiled here with a great message ever week, good music - but also a fully engaged spirtual life. I encourge you to come back on a Sunday morning - watch how the people (and the kids) react to this unique Catholic church environment. Have a cup of coffee and a donut.
ReplyDelete