My experience at my territorial parish OF

[TrueLight]

So today, I went to mass at my neighborhood parish because I’m going to miss mass tomorrow.

First, I’m going to say that I would go again, if I had to miss my Sunday EF.

The church is primarily West Indian, although there were some other ethnicities. It is not highly ornate, but there was a crucifix behind the altar (not with risen Christ and I saw a statue of the Blessed Mother with the infant Jesus and a couple of others I couldn’t see up close.

Servers

• one altar girl
  **
  EMHCs**
• one woman EMHC

Hymns/responses

• A hymn was sung for the procession (the people sung- black people sing)
• A hymn was sung for communion and for the recession
• everyone sang the responses

Collection
Now this was interesting. This is the second time I saw this done at a black church. Two teens walked up front with the collection baskets and held them and people filed up the aisles to drop their collections in (reminds me of some protestant churches I attended). Anybody ever seen this?

Homily
Good homily. The priest stressed that the same way Jesus is the good shepherd, we need to be shepherds to each other. He asked how many people know the people sitting next to them and after mass folks should say hello. We need to build relationships with each other and look out for each other. Hear that Jedquiel?

Prayer of the Faithful (Is that what it’s called?)

• the Lector read the normal prayers than the priest told us to pause a moment and offer up our own prayers. Then he had us say the Hail Mary. I have never seen that before! Have you?

Consecration

During the elevation, the tray that had the host was lifted. The host itself was not lifted. Have you ever seen this?

Sign of Peace
I was ready to offer my usual bland smile but the woman in front started to extend her hand then hesitated. I don’t know what she saw on my face, but I immediately repented and shook her hand with a smile.

**
Communion**
This is where my stomach always clenches and I have to decide whether I’m going to refrain or go up and risk being embarrassed when I go for COTT. During communion a communion hymn was sung and those who were not receiving sang and those who received sang when they got back.

Everyone received in the hand, but I did my genuflection then closed my eyes and received on the tongue. No problem there. Of course I was also the only one veiled, but no problem there either.

So in summary, it’s a small parish and he faithful seem content. Nothing happened that bothered me. It is what it is and its an option for if I miss my mass.

It’s like a 5-10 minute walk from my house. Wish my TLM was that close.

 

[maltmom]

I know you prefer the TLM. I’m happy you found a Mass to attend if you are unable to attend your regular service.

I remember reading somewhere on here or in the Catholic Answers section that according to the rubrics the Hail Mary is not to be said during the Mass. At our church we’ve said it once and that was at the end of the service when our priest asked, during the announcements, for additional prayers for a member who is seriously ill.

God Bless and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It actually sounds very nice. Would your kids be more comfortable there?

I have never seen the collection taken up that way, but I have been in parishes that ave a time of silence in the prayers of the faithful for people to add their intentions (but nobody says anything aloud). We often pray the Hail Mary after the intention for the unborn.

Glad you found it a place you could attend .

 

[grasscutter]

It sounds quite adequate when you can’t get to the Mass that you would prefer.

I can’t comment on not elevating the actual Host, because I’ve never seen that before. However, during the prayer of the faithful (that’s how it’s referred here in Canada - and I’ve seen some posters refer to it as bidding prayers - maybe UK or USA?) we will often end with a Hail Mary or Prayer for Vocations.

Anyway, I know that you are aware that every Mass is for God as long as there is nothing that would invalidate it. So… like I said in the first sentence.

If you normally veil, I would encourage you to do so at that Church. If I saw more women doing so in my parish, I might develop the courage to do the same. Anyway, may God bless and keep you! :heaven:

 

[TrueLight]

It sounds quite **adequate **when you can’t get to the Mass that you would prefer.

That’s exactly the word I would use! It is quite adequate and I don’t have to hop on the train.

It actually sounds very nice. Would your kids be more comfortable there?

I think they would be bored out of their minds, but I will take a look to see if any fun teen activities happen there during the week or during the day on Saturdays.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Consecration

During the elevation, the tray that had the host was lifted. The host itself was not lifted. Have you ever seen this?

Yes, happens all the time at our parish

By West Indian, do you mean people from the West of India? Or do you mean Native American/First Nations?

Here in Canada we call those from India as East Indians.

 

[TrueLight]

Yes, happens all the time at our parish

By West Indian, do you mean people from the West of India? Or do you mean Native American/First Nations?

Here in Canada we call those from India as East Indians.

No I mean Caribbean folk.

 

[ConstantineTG]

No I mean Caribbean folk.

That’s confusing

Because if they are from India, the priest could be biritual and could have been doing something from his original Rite.

 

[TrueLight]

That’s confusing

Because if they are from India, the priest could be biritual and could have been doing something from his original Rite.

Ha ha true.

It’s funny. In certain parts of the States, everyone uses the term West Indian. In other parts where I guess West Indians are not as common, everyone is like huh?

And yes, I know you are not in the States.

 

[grasscutter]

Yes, happens all the time at our parish

By West Indian, do you mean people from the West of India? Or do you mean Native American/First Nations?

Here in Canada we call those from India as East Indians.

Super sorry about being nit-picky, but the term for people from India, Pakistan, etc. is actually South Asian. However people from India contribute to that confusion by referring to themselves as East Indian.

 

[Cider]

Collection
Now this was interesting. This is the second time I saw this done at a black church. Two teens walked up front with the collection baskets and held them and people filed up the aisles to drop their collections in (reminds me of some protestant churches I attended). Anybody ever seen this?

Prayer of the Faithful (Is that what it’s called?)

• the Lector read the normal prayers than the priest told us to pause a moment and offer up our own prayers. Then he had us say the Hail Mary. I have never seen that before! Have you?

Consecration

During the elevation, the tray that had the host was lifted. The host itself was not lifted. Have you ever seen this?

No I’ve never seen the line up for the collection baskets. Although I have to say that it personally irks me that the collection is always done during the credo at every mass I’ve been to. It just seems such an inappropriate time for that. I prefer to concentrate on praying the creed without someone trying to pass me the basket. I’ve never seen the ave Maria prayed at the prayers of the faithful when I’ve gone to the OF. I’ve also never seen the elevation done the way you described.

 

[TrueLight]

No I’ve never seen the line up for the collection baskets. Although I have to say that it personally irks me that the collection is always done during the credo at every mass I’ve been to. It just seems such an inappropriate time for that. I prefer to concentrate on praying the creed without someone trying to pass me the basket. I’ve never seen the ave Maria prayed at the prayers of the faithful when I’ve gone to the OF. I’ve also never seen the elevation done the way you described.

In this case, they stood up and said the Apostles Creed right after the homily and not during collection.

I have to say everyone was pretty reverent. No talking at all during mass. Yes, everyone held their hands palm up during the Our Father, but it comes with the territory.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Super sorry about being nit-picky, but the term for people from India, Pakistan, etc. is actually South Asian. However people from India contribute to that confusion by referring to themselves as East Indian.

Well they are Indians. People from Pakistan are Pakistani. South Asians are like North Americans. There are Americans and Canadians who are both North Americans.

Indians of course are the real and original Indians. The natives in North America were called Indians because Columbus mistakenly thought he landed in India. The Spanish even called Filipinos as Indios back in the day for the same reason, but the term didn’t stick with us.

 

[Digitonomy]

Collection
Now this was interesting. This is the second time I saw this done at a black church. Two teens walked up front with the collection baskets and held them and people filed up the aisles to drop their collections in (reminds me of some protestant churches I attended). Anybody ever seen this?

I saw this once several years ago when one of our African priests (along with a deacon from his country) celebrated a special mass on Sunday afternoon in the style he used back home, explaining each part that was different from our North American practice. I think he was from West African, perhaps Cameroon, but I’m not sure.

Where was your priest from? It’s possible that this is specifically in the rubrics of the Zairean rite, which is technically only approved for use in DR Congo, but is celebrated in a number of countries in Africa. But my guess is that this is a custom that dates back, perhaps many decades or centuries.

Prayer of the Faithful (Is that what it’s called?)

• the Lector read the normal prayers than the priest told us to pause a moment and offer up our own prayers. Then he had us say the Hail Mary. I have never seen that before! Have you?

I have seen the Hail Mary used at the Prayers of the Faithful, at the Homily, at the announcements toward the end of mass, and in the Leonine Prayers following mass. I’m not crazy about the practice. While it isn’t terribly common, in my experience I’d guess 10% of parishes incorporate the Hail Mary into mass on a regular basis.

Sign of Peace
I was ready to offer my usual bland smile but the woman in front started to extend her hand then hesitated. I don’t know what she saw on my face, but I immediately repented and shook her hand with a smile.

I think this was the right approach. I occasionally attend at parishes that are almost entirely African American, and it is the practice in these very close-knit parishes for everyone join hands in an irregular circle among the pews for the Our Father. Definitely not rubrical, nor something I would prefer, but to not participate would be to actively give offense, and I’m just a guest. In your case, the practice was entirely within the rubrics.

I would also say that bland smiles are what diplomats use. If you’re truly at peace with your neighbors I think a little more is called for. While you seem a little more analytic-minded, and less touchy-feely-emotional overall, this kind of gesture really means a lot to those who are more touchy-feely. And even if you’re just going through the motions, and don’t care for the position of the Sign of Peace in the midst of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the act of interacting positively with your neighbors will probably lift your spirit a bit, which is a good thing.

Anyway, glad to hear it was an adequate experience!

 

[Chatter163]

That’s confusing .

Then someone had better tell them, because they seem to be under the impression that the area goes by that name.

 

[Digitonomy]

Just to clarify the extent of the term, Wikipedia gives the following definition:

The West Indies includes the islands bordering the Caribbean Sea, plus the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

 

[TrueLight]

I
Where was your priest from?

From the accent, I would say Haiti.

If you’re truly at peace with your neighbors I think a little more is called for. While you seem a little more analytic-minded, and less touchy-feely-emotional overall, this kind of gesture really means a lot to those who are more touchy-feely.

Well actually, I grew up evangelical, so I was used to holding hands and hugging and kissing everyone etc. And I am a pretty warm person, but I find the sign of peace jarring the way it is positioned in mass as you said.

And even if you’re just going through the motions, and don’t care for the position of the Sign of Peace in the midst of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the act of interacting positively with your neighbors will probably lift your spirit a bit, which is a good thing.

True.

And the reason I repented was because her smile seemed sincere and caring and when I saw her smile falter, I realized I did not want to be the cause of that.

Anyway, glad to hear it was an adequate experience!

It was. ha ha.

 

[superamazingman]

So today, I went to mass at my neighborhood parish because I’m going to miss mass tomorrow.

First, I’m going to say that I would go again, if I had to miss my Sunday EF.

The church is primarily West Indian, although there were some other ethnicities. It is not highly ornate, but there was a crucifix behind the altar (not with risen Christ and I saw a statue of the Blessed Mother with the infant Jesus and a couple of others I couldn’t see up close.

Servers

• one altar girl
  **
  EMHCs**
• one woman EMHC

Hymns/responses

• A hymn was sung for the procession (the people sung- black people sing)
• A hymn was sung for communion and for the recession
• everyone sang the responses

Collection
Now this was interesting. This is the second time I saw this done at a black church. Two teens walked up front with the collection baskets and held them and people filed up the aisles to drop their collections in (reminds me of some protestant churches I attended). Anybody ever seen this?

Homily
Good homily. The priest stressed that the same way Jesus is the good shepherd, we need to be shepherds to each other. He asked how many people know the people sitting next to them and after mass folks should say hello. We need to build relationships with each other and look out for each other. Hear that Jedquiel?

Prayer of the Faithful (Is that what it’s called?)

• the Lector read the normal prayers than the priest told us to pause a moment and offer up our own prayers. Then he had us say the Hail Mary. I have never seen that before! Have you?

Consecration

During the elevation, the tray that had the host was lifted. The host itself was not lifted. Have you ever seen this?

Sign of Peace
I was ready to offer my usual bland smile but the woman in front started to extend her hand then hesitated. I don’t know what she saw on my face, but I immediately repented and shook her hand with a smile.

**
Communion**
This is where my stomach always clenches and I have to decide whether I’m going to refrain or go up and risk being embarrassed when I go for COTT. During communion a communion hymn was sung and those who were not receiving sang and those who received sang when they got back.

Everyone received in the hand, but I did my genuflection then closed my eyes and received on the tongue. No problem there. Of course I was also the only one veiled, but no problem there either.

So in summary, it’s a small parish and he faithful seem content. Nothing happened that bothered me. It is what it is and its an option for if I miss my mass.

It’s like a 5-10 minute walk from my house. Wish my TLM was that close.

How was the music? Hippity stuff? traditional hymns?

 

[JNdoum]

Well actually, I grew up evangelical, so I was used to holding hands and hugging and kissing everyone etc. And I am a pretty warm person, but I find the sign of peace jarring the way it is positioned in mass as you said.

True.

And the reason I repented was because her smile seemed sincere and caring and when I saw her smile falter, I realized I did not want to be the cause of that.

It was. ha ha.

Actually, at my parish we always hold hands during the Our Father, and always shake hands at the Sign of Peace. I actually hug people during the Sign of Peace, as long as I know them pretty well. I had no idea this was out of the ordinary.

 

[pnewton]

We will say together the Hail Mary in conjunction with the attentions on occassion. I guess next week we will start doing this for the month of May. We will often incorporate something like this instead of using the canned closing from OCP. During the year of the priest, we said together a prayer for vocations at every Mass during this slot.

Next week, I will also start to incorporate a Marian hymn at each Mass.