In my many trips to Harrisonburg, I have never been to church. But here I am blogging, so no more skipping church for travel. At least when it's feasible to go. It marks the first mass out of state. My lack of knowledge of Virginia geography keeps me from knowing what diocese Harrisonburg falls in.
I went to mass on Saturday mass at 5 pm. Blessed Sacrament is a stone church on Main Street with stained glass windows. It is not the stone building that I think is city hall. And it is not the stone Presbyterian church behind that. Those are one way streets. I had a "Look kids! Big Ben, Parliament" moment.
The crowd was made up of families with older kids and older adults. They were friendly. Is this Southern hospitality? When I got up to hand off the collection basket, the man I handed it to acted as though I was actually giving him the money in the collection basket. (Did you know that few church actually pass baskets? Most are attached to a handle, attached to an usher.)
There was a choir with organ and piano and Gather Comprehensive. I can name hymnals at a distance now. If you want to blend in, wear a James Madison University sweatshirt. Blessed Sacrament handles their campus ministry.
The homily was interesting presentation about confession. Stop looking for loop holes. Find a reconciliation service this Lent.
The unknown dioceses is holding a young adult retreat. Turns out I'm too old to go. Just as well, I'm in Harrisonburg but once a year.
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