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A Presbyterian
visits St. Osmunds
Fiona Smith
Walking up the steps of St. Osmund's Church on a crisp early winter
morning I wondered what my parents' reaction would have been to seeing
me attend Mass at a Roman Catholic church – I suspect that they
would be 'turning in their graves'! Brought up in Glasgow in the presbyterian
tradition of John Knox's Kirk, Catholics were considered 'different'.
Although not quite so rigid as in Northern Ireland, there was little
contact between the communities, little understanding, and much prejudice.
I have attended few Catholic services, and those have been mainly funeral
services or, out of curiosity, when living in France and Germany. I
had been told that High Mass would offer the full 'bells and smells'
experience, and I looked forward to this, wondering just how different
it would prove to be. A brief glance at the noticeboard outside indicated
much the same sort of activities as in St. Mary's – my usual place
of worship in recent years. I stepped inside, hoping perhaps to see
a friendly face or to be greeted by an 'official' member of the congregation
who would hand me a guide to the service. As a 'sidesman' in St. Mary's
where I am used to greeting visitors and handing out an order of service,
I anticipated a similar system. Alas no - I was invisible and my arrival
anonymous. I floundered for a bit over various handouts that were on
display and ended up taking everything in sight in case it would be
needed, and sat down to study them.
The 'Farnworth' Sunday Mass Book reassured me that the service would
be very similar to the Anglican format that I have grown used to. The
Sunday Bulletin was similar to St. Mary's pew sheet with a guide to
the service and notices of future events. Interestingly it included
numbers of congregation on the previous Sunday and collection amount
– and the weekly sum paid for Diocesan administration. It appeared
to be a centralised leaflet with a 'sermon' included, and I assumed
that it was on general distribution among other churches with space
left to print local information. I liked the colourful activity leaflet
for children. As I waited I had time to enjoy the simple interior of
St. Osmund's which I found warm and attractive with its vaulted roof
and stained glass window.
By the start of the service it was quite full with plenty of young
families. Children stayed for a short part of the service and then went
off to their own 'liturgy' – very similar to Church of Scotland
practice. As it happened, this was the day when they were introducing
an experiment where the smallest children 'who cannot appreciate the
need for quiet' would stay in the Hall when the other children returned
for the Mass. An aspect of any service which I enjoy is the singing
of hymns, and as there were familiar hymns and music I was able to join
in, apart from an unfamiliar piece in Latin. The congregation did not
seem to sing with great conviction, but there was a good sound from
the 'heavenly choir' above. I was waiting for the 'smells and bells'
I had been promised, and sure enough before the reading of the Gospel
a bell tinkled and there was a little procession with a censor producing
an 'odour of sancity'. Father Logan's homily was brief and to the point
– much shorter that I am used to at St. Mary's, and a far cry
from the tradition of the lengthy Scottish sermon.
I left as I arrived – without greeting from clergy or congregation.
As I walked home I reflected on my experience, and apart from the lack
of welcome, I enjoyed my visit and was struck more by similarities than
differences. |
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