#10 A FISH OUT OF WATER AT A BLUE MASS

WHERE I WENT AND WHY:  

I was looking for a service that was NOT on Sunday because we are meeting for my Mother-in-law's 95th birthday lunch in South Carolina on Sunday!  I knew that the Catholics often had Saturday services.  When I went to St. Peter's website I found that "Bishop Jugis will celebrate a special Blue Mass for spiritual protection and support of those who protect and serve."  Having 2 uncles who were policemen, I have a special respect for them and after all that has occurred in our city the past week, it felt like this might be an opportunity for me to be at a Catholic service where "families - Catholic or not - as well as the public are welcome to attend."

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO:

St. Peter's Catholic Church  is located at 1621 Dilworth Road East.  I had no trouble parking on the street, but this was not a regular time for Sunday or Saturday Mass.  A few women wore chapel veils, or lace over their heads, but dress was generally casual, with many women in pants.  I don't know if this would be true on Sundays.  They started ON TIME or maybe even a few minutes ahead.  I thought I was walking in on time, and they were already on the 3rd page of the bulletin!

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP 

MOOD:

I had some problems with the mood of the service. I don't want to be overly critical and I hope I am respectful.  However,  I have to be honest.

Because I was a little late, no one greeted me or gave me a bulletin.  However, I found them stacked on a table when I walked in. (Several folks came in after me.)  The bulletin was only marginally helpful in following the service.  It only contained the musical responses and hymns and gave me no directions for following the service and no page numbers for the liturgy.  Perhaps this was because it was a special service.  But I would have thought since non-Catholics were invited, there would have been more guidance in the literature.

The sanctuary was beautiful, very gothic, with stained glass windows and an ornate chancel.  However, the acoustics were horrible.  While I could hear the priests with their microphones, it was very garbled.   Then the HVAC system kicked off for about 10 minutes and things got a little clearer.  But when it came back on, it sounded like a low rumble and kept me from understanding every other word.

I sat near the back next to 2 rows of CMPD officers.  It was clear most of them were not Catholic either and we all were struggling to follow the service (when to stand, kneel, sit, etc.).  Without the liturgy printed, or at least page numbers to reference a hymnal, I was lost even though I come from a similar liturgical tradition, and could only participate in the hymns, which were very traditional. 

After the service, the policemen, their families and the congregation were invited to food and fellowship in the courtyard.  I followed the crowd to the area and walked around for a few minutes, and no one greeted me or said hello.  I knew David was grilling at home, so I had not planned to eat.  It was not very welcoming to someone not in uniform or not from the congregation.

MUSIC:

This was the high point of the experience.  The choir was in a balcony behind the congregation and the cantors, both a soprano and tenor had beautiful voices.  The organist was very accomplished.  At the end of the service when the organist usually plays a postlude and folks begin to file out, a lone bagpiper came to the front and played a hymn.  Everyone stayed and took pictures.  It was beautiful.  Everyone  clapped at the end.  He also played at the entrance to the courtyard.

MESSAGE:

I was completely baffled by the message.  (There was the Bishop and 3 priests, but they were not introduced, nor credited in the bulletin, so I'm not sure who preached the homily.)  The message was based on the prayer of St. Michael and on Revelations 12:7-12  "Michael and his angels battled against the dragon". (quote from the bulletin).  Now to be fair, I could only hear some of it.  But the Priest compared the First Responders to the Archangel Michael and compared their work to the battle between the forces of good and evil. It reminded me of the "fire and brimstone" I encountered at Northside Baptist, just with incense.    During the prayer, he did pray that they could have guidance to make split second decisions.    At the end of the service, the Prayer to St Michael was said in unison by the congregation (very fast, and obviously by rote.)  I did not feel the tone of message brought healing to the officers or the community, but fueled the "us/them" tone that has shaken our city.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS:

• The music gave me my only "nugget" at this service and while the bagpiper was accomplished, I did not take away anything to positively ponder during the week.
• Since this was a special service, the bulletin did not contain any parish announcements. 
•  I was impressed, however at the rich announcements in the bulletin at St. Peter's which I found on line.  That is how I found out about this service.
• I did not participate in Communion because I was not sure if I was welcome at the table.  One priest did say that you were welcome if you were "properly prepared".  Not being sure exactly what that meant (did I need to go to Confession earlier?), I stayed in the pew as did  most of the CMPD officers sitting beside me.  
• I had hoped that this would be a service that would lift up and offer community protection  and support to our First Responders.  As a member of the community-at-large, and not Catholic, I was not able to fully participate and express my support, nor receive a message of support for the community from the Priests.  Perhaps if I had understood the nuances of the Mass, or could have heard better,  I would feel differently.

OK...The last 2 weeks have been waaaay too heavy.  It's time to bring some humor back!  From Ship of Fools:

Bulletin: