Discouraged about the Church?

It would be a natural reaction to some of the stuff that's been happening or maybe to a Liturgy that seems dry, non vital, or otherwise less than inspiring. There are many reasons genuine and faux for feeling discouraged or sad about the state of the Church.

But Isaiah sounds a great Call: "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, says the Lord." Come and see. It would comfort and inspire you to be at our 9:30 Children's Mass. Bells ring three calls, altar servers hasten about, readying the Book, chairs, incense, candles, and more. Musicians and youth choir are tuning up and readers and Eucharistic ministers assemble. The deacon goes to the doors of the church, wide open on the sunny blue morning, to welcome the family baptizing their toddler. And Father finishes vesting, hastening to the sacristy from his adjoining house and office.

The choir begins, fully joined by all the folks, and ON PITCH. From my special place at the side of the altar, I can see the procession, candles and cross held high, begin a stately move down the aisle. All the children in catechism are part of the procession. Priest and deacon exchange smiles and greetings with the familiar smiling folks in the pews.

Scriptures are read with enthusiasm and understanding. The baptism is right in the middle of Mass and the newly Baptized greeted with loud applause. A pretty teenager is brought by her simple hearted campesino family to make her First Communion "to strengthen her because she has to work in a Protestant family."

After this Mass, we have an hour to catch our breath, then off to the Cathedral to assist our bishop at his noon Mass. The usual burgandy shirted youth who serve that mass are nowhere to be seen, replaced by a cadre of grinning boys in white shirts from a parish on the edge of town. They greet us with happy smiles. (The regulars are off on retreat.)

Once again, the music starts up, (with booming bass now.) The procession begins. The bishop's elderly parents are gently guided to chairs for them. The place is filled and standees in the back. Again, it seems everyone is singing, the bishop greets one and all with his gentle smile while the deacon continues solemnly forward, the Book held high.

This mass has more incense, longer songs,a good solid teaching based on lots of Scripture (the bishop always preaches)and a most Delightful Moment: A
at the kiss of Peace, EVERY child in the place, (I would guess more than 200 today) comes in an orderly line to greet the bishop, shaking his hand, or delivering an exuberant hug and kiss.

Then they solemnly parade around the altar area shaking every hand they can find. Children here are all raised to greet adults (anyone bigger than they) this way. A few little extroverts circle around and come through the line twice.

After mass, which lasts an hour and a half without seeming tedious, the bishop invites all who want a "personal greeting or blessing to line up in the side chapel." The he spends another 30 to 45 minutes greeting, listening to, and blessing the 100 or more people of all kinds and ages who long for fatherly warmth and strength. Not one is turned away. Those who need more lengthy counseling or prayer are sent to us. We sit or stand nearby, ready to assist.

Most of the folks kiss the bishop's hand with real filial affection and respect. It might grate on independent-minded Americans, but here it seems entirely natural and very loving. He receives this with unassuming respect and continues listening, hugging, blessing and praying until the last one is cared for.

Then we all head upstairs to the rector's well served dining room for a simple but tasty lunch before the bishop has to head for Vera Cruz for Mass at 6:30 pm. Today I was the only woman at the table with a bishop, a deacon, a seminarian and 3 priests. I held my own nicely, thank you.

Come down and go to some of these Liturgies. It will renew your faith and simple enjoyment of worshipping with brothers and sisters, with open, expectant and joyful hearts.