H
hwriggles4
Guest
77stanthony77:
I like attending the bi-lingual Mass at my parish in Dallas. I go about once a month. They bring out misalettes that are English on one side, and Spanish on the other. I started going primarily because I wanted to learn some of the prayers in Spanish (Oraciones en Espanol) like the Our Father (Padre Nuestro) and the Hail Mary en Espanol.
I do speak some Spanish, mostly because y vivo cinco anos en la ciudad de San Antonio, but I don’t speak it as well as someone who grew up speaking both Ingles y Espanol. Normally, one reading is proclaimed in English and the other is in Spanish. The Gospel is read in English or Spanish, depending on the priest or the deacon. We have a couple deacons who don’t know Spanish, but two of our priests know enough Spanish that they can celebrate la misa en Espanol. The homily is done by the priest in both languages. The priest will usually start with the homily in Spanish, and when that is done the priest will give the same homily in English (or at least a summary in English).
The choir is really good, and comes dressed up every week. The music is also reverent and appropriate. The people that attend are friendly too - I made some friends there just by visiting afterward in the Narthex. Knowing a little bit of Spanish has been a help in making a few Spanish-speaking friends.
Anyway, one thing the bi-lingual Mass really helped me with when it began was the difference between the four Eucharistic Prayers. I ended up learning the differences between the Eucharistic Prayers because it would take me a minute to figure out which one the priest was using.
Like you 77stanthony77, I also get a little confused at an all Spanish Mass, even with a missalette that has English on one side and Spanish on the other. The prayers seem to go a little too fast for me. One thing I don’t do is “think” in Spanish. When I talk in Spanish, I normally think in English and translate the Spanish in my head.
Here’s another point: Our previous pastor implemented the bi-lingual Mass about 7 years ago, and our current pastor has kept it. One reason our previous pastor chose a bi-lingual Mass instead of an all Spanish Mass was for unity. I’ve visited some parishes (and heard of others) where the Spanish speaking members seem to only go to the Spanish Mass, and only do ministries within that community. I think the bi-lingual Mass has helped unite our parish. Once a month, our Hispanic Ministry does a Mexican Breakfast and Lunch where the brisket tacos are IMHO the best in town too.
77stanthony77, DiNardo is a great bishop. When I go to Houston now, I enjoy going to Mass there more than I did when I lived there as a kid.
Gracias Y que dios los bendiga,