I have spent the last two days uploading wedding photos and video to facebook. My step-daughter got married last weekend. She and her husband were both baptized in the Church but neither has any inkling of what She teaches, upholds and loves. And E. and D. are so much poorer for not knowing. However...hubby and I were at that stage once and through the example of a family member who is actually a CINO we were led back to Truth. God works in wonderful and mysterious ways!
Some have criticized me for attending the wedding of two Catholics outside the Church. I admit I did have a heavy heart over attending. However, not attending and trying to explain why would only distance them more from a church they do not understand and perceive as antiquated and irrelevant.
Hubby and I went to Mass the morning of the wedding. I was hopeful it would be a good experience. After all there were kneelers, the Tabernacle was centred at the back wall, the crucifix was huge, there was one centre aisle between two banks of pews, the priest was recognizable in his collar before Mass and I even spotted the aumbry. The Stations of the Cross was magnificent wooden carvings.
But soon my dreams of a beautiful Mass unravelled. The choir (or should I say "band") was led by a guitarist and all 7 women were over 50. I didn't bother singing the entrance song as the 2 altar girls and 1 altar boy led the procession of priest and EMHCs. WHY do EMHCs process in with the priest??
The altar servers were dressed appropriately except for their shoes. One girl wore pink Crocs and the other girl - well, I can't remember, I just noticed she kept staring at her feet while sticking her legs out when she was sitting next to the priest during the readings.
Then of course they sang the Gloria to the tune of Edelweiss.
Later we were treated to the musical stylings of "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" complete with...wait for it....maracas and tambourines! It was baaaaaaaaaaad!!!
I began to fear the homily - after all, the second reading for the day was from Ephesians, the one about wives being subject to their husbands. I debated if I should walk out or not if he went all New Agey on me. I am happy to report that Father remained faithful to Church teachings.
The consecration...oh boy. The breads and wine were brought forward. Father then proceeded to open another bag of breads. All the while his microphone picked up every crinkle and rustle of the plastic bag as he struggled to open it. My eyes were rolling back in my head...
Father stuck to the proper words for the consecration but he is one of those priests that likes to make all the grand gestures and talk really loud!
A few parishioners kneeled for the consecration but most stood. There was some hand holding at the Our Father but nobody in our pew tried to grab my hand. I've long since learned to clasp my hands in front of me and close my eyes to discourage this creepy practice.
There were 2 EMHCs distributing Communion along with Father. Luckily we were in the bank of pews that were receiving from him. There were more EMHCs distributing the Precious Blood but we passed them by as we usually do.
The church was quite full, mainly it was older people, a few families (most had only 2 children) and there were a number of tourists as this church is in a small resort town in the Rocky Mountains.
Mass ended and I was glad. As I said to Hubby in the car as we left, "we might have a round church, no kneelers and stupid Stations but we have an excellent and faithful priest." Later I commented that it's no wonder our children reject the Church when this irrelevant garbage (crappy music, women swarming the Sanctuary, etc.) is presented week in and week out.
