Just got back to the B&B from church. First....we are not Catholic but attended the Catholic church here. Im somewhat familiar with the rituals but it was still different than the usual for us. First, we went to this church twice because there were no signs posted as to what time the services started. The first time we got there we wandered in and there were a few people (like 3) scattered in the sanctuary praying. We met an older man who was there with his granddaughter and he said that the service started at 11. So we left and came the few blocks back to our B&B (passing 3 pubs on the way who were all sweeping and scrubbing the sidewalks in front of their establishments). Straightened up stuff and answered some emails and then headed back to the church a few minutes before 11. Walked in and there were a few more (like maybe 15 people) in the very large sanctuary. Turns out old man was wrong and services started at 11:30. About 11:15 the priest walked out and greeted every single person sitting in the pews with, Greetings....you must be visiting today. Where do you hail from?. Hmmmmm.... apparently the people of this parish are not prompt with the church attendance! Most of the people walked in about 11:29 with families straggling in even up to 15 minutes late. Ok thoughts and experiences. They gave us a script of the readings and responses. Of course, only the words we were expected to say were highlighted, not what we were supposed to be doing! My limited experience in Catholic churches is that they are required to have planned activities that spotlight the non-Catholics. (Ok....after that last Blessed Be everyone drop to your knees on the kneeling rail. Come on guys...it will be a riot seeing the Protestants standing up frantically looking at their bulletins). Sort of like how I felt in the pub last night when singing along with everyone to Sweet Caroline when I was the only one pumping my fist and shouting SO GOOD....SO GOOD....SO GOOD. Um.... hi? There was silence and staring and then some clapped me on the back like I had just written a new stanza. Ok, Ill take credit if you like it! Anyway...back to church. So was pretty grateful for the getting to kneel as my butt had went to sleep sitting on the very hard wooden pews. Learned something though....the kneeling rails only LOOK padded. Yikes, my knees were being stabbed. Plus, at my age I cant get up from that position with out doing a 5-point turn, drop and roll with a push off. I closed my eyes during the kneeling prayer and felt very selfish praying to Jesus to either end the pain in my knees or to take me home now. Finally, heard everyone rising and had to flop backwards on to the pew to get up. Yeah....I looked and felt like a beached whale. I looked around and dared anyone to meet my eye. I was going to shake my head in disgust and give them my best, this is supposed to be about Jesus look. The priest with his heavy Irish brogue (yeah, he didnt pronouce th sounds either) made me at first think of the priest in The Princess Bride. If he could have started out by just saying maw wawg it would have brought down the house. Incense smelled great, didnt feel out of place in my travel clothing on Easter, everyone was friendly enough and it was a spiritual time that Im glad I got to experience. I think going to Catholic church though is invigorating not only because of the religious experience, but because it is a physical workout. Ok......on to Kinsale now. Later~
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:10:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015