O
oneseeker
Guest
Well, actually, I guess it’s my third. However, the first was a Christmas Eve mass when I was a child, and the second was over a decade ago. This was the first mass I went to where I am seriously considering converting. It was an interesting experience, and in some ways not what I expected.
The homily was wonderful- I simply adore Father. He is able to give a homily about such serious things as confession, sin, and repentance in a deep, yet humorous way. The people were friendly w/o being scary. However, there were some things I didn’t like (or at least didn’t prefer). I didn’t realize that NO services have no incense and there were very few icons, pictures of the saints, candles, or anything. In fact, quite a bit of the church walls seemed bare. The responsive readings were also a bit dry. Perhaps it’s b/c I’ve attended an Orthodox liturgy which seems much more mystical. In some ways, this seemed like a liturgical protestant church. There is more singing and chanting in EO services, and it seemed like we sang one song and the altar was set up and ready for Eucharist to be presented! At the EO church, that part alone takes a while.
I haven’t decided if I’m going back to that parish or not. Even though it didn’t have some of what I expected, I still found it meaningful. However, most of my Catholic acquaintances go to other parishes. I chose this one b/c I have a sentimental attachment to it. It’s the only parish I’ve ever visited, I love Father, and the whole family attends their Halloween carnival every year and have so much fun.
Well, anyway, guess I’ve rambled on enough. At least this parish has a priest who doesn’t give PC “Dr. Phil” homilies.
oneseeker
The homily was wonderful- I simply adore Father. He is able to give a homily about such serious things as confession, sin, and repentance in a deep, yet humorous way. The people were friendly w/o being scary. However, there were some things I didn’t like (or at least didn’t prefer). I didn’t realize that NO services have no incense and there were very few icons, pictures of the saints, candles, or anything. In fact, quite a bit of the church walls seemed bare. The responsive readings were also a bit dry. Perhaps it’s b/c I’ve attended an Orthodox liturgy which seems much more mystical. In some ways, this seemed like a liturgical protestant church. There is more singing and chanting in EO services, and it seemed like we sang one song and the altar was set up and ready for Eucharist to be presented! At the EO church, that part alone takes a while.
I haven’t decided if I’m going back to that parish or not. Even though it didn’t have some of what I expected, I still found it meaningful. However, most of my Catholic acquaintances go to other parishes. I chose this one b/c I have a sentimental attachment to it. It’s the only parish I’ve ever visited, I love Father, and the whole family attends their Halloween carnival every year and have so much fun.
Well, anyway, guess I’ve rambled on enough. At least this parish has a priest who doesn’t give PC “Dr. Phil” homilies.
oneseeker
But it really changed the picture I had in my head of the way it would be. What really impressed me was the reverence that was shown, and that to me is VERY important. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit too!!