They were as happy to greet me and share their experiences as I was to be there and form new ones. My experience of welcome at this new church during my vacation reflected that very evangelical mission! One does not have to go far to invite another to share in the Sacred Mysteries-all are invited to enter and re-enter the liturgy, and to do so more deeply than before in order to draw more meaning and grace along one’s spiritual journey.Īfter that morning’s Mass, the church hosted a hospitality breakfast during which I was continually greeted by other parishioners who expressed amazement that I found my way to join them in the Eucharist at such an early hour-and on a weekday! To some, it was refreshing to see not only a new face, but a young one. This universality reflects that of the Church, instituted to proclaim Christ to all, especially those outside of His Body. While different parishes and cultures may imbue a different spiritual character in the celebration of the sacraments, the Substance (God) remains the same to unite all the faithful, whoever and wherever they may be. Without them, the Mass would lose its focus on divine worship and partaking in the Sacred Mysteries. In Her wisdom, the Church has laid down guidelines for the celebration of the liturgy that must be adhered to in order to be valid. It is ultimately the gathering and lifting of prayers of praise, petition, repentance, and thanksgiving to God Who blesses us with His grace and True Presence. The Mass transcends one’s location or liturgical preferences. These experiences may very well be shared by anyone taking a vacation this summer or otherwise visiting another parish. We sang hymns, exchanged a sign of peace, and participated in the usual liturgical responses, movements, and postures at the appropriate times. The Word of God was proclaimed in the readings and we received the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. While it was not exactly what I was used to, the actual worship of God and the spiritual nourishment of the faithful was no less authentic or beneficial. As Mass began, I could not help but pick up on the small differences in the celebration of the liturgy: the church was smaller and rounder, there was a piano instead of an organ, the servers were past middle-age, and the priest liked to stroll up and down the aisle during his homily. ![]() ![]() I appreciated the parishioner’s hospitality efforts, beginning with the first handshake and smile. ![]() While there were a number of familiar faces for them, mine was new. I was excited to experience another faith community as a visitor.Īfter the cantor made the welcome announcement, the parishioners around me turned and exchanged greetings with their neighbors. There wasn’t much choice compared to my options in a densely populated city, but I knew Mass was Mass-the same and just as important in the rural diocese I was visiting as it is in the Archdiocese of Washington (and the rest of the Universal Church). ![]() I was on vacation at the time I heard these words, and thus totally unfamiliar with the parish until I had searched for local Catholic churches. Before Mass begins, we invite you to take a moment to greet those around you.”
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