This church had exactly 7 members. Yes, that is seven, not including the children. These 7 members were from (if I recall correctly) three families. The entire church was three families and had a very cult like feeling. One Sunday was enough for me to not go back there.
The second Baptist church I found was an African American Baptist church. I'm not African American, but that didn't bother me and it didn't seem to bother anyone at that congregation either. I was the only white person there aside from the woman who played the piano for them. I liked these people and they seemed to like me, I was invited to join several bible groups and I did. I enjoyed most of my time at this church. They were friendly people, welcoming, loved the Lord and wanted to spend hours and hours at their church on Sunday. Services were hours long with a break, then you were invited to come back after lunch and again after dinner for more services. At the time I really liked that- I wanted to spend hours at church on Sunday with people who really loved the Lord and wanted to study the scriptures like I did. What I didn't like, was the shouting, hand waving, dancing and "whoopin' & hollerin" DURING the service. I was told this was a "cultural thing" among African Americans and I'd get used to it as it was part of how they worshiped. OK, I didn't particularly like it when people yelled out "Thank you Jesus!" in the middle of a reading or prayer, but if that was their thing I was willing to try and adapt. But what I couldn't adapt to and was most disturbing to me was the running around, talking in tongues and "fainting" while the minister preached. It was not at all like the more conservative white Baptist church I had grown up in. That was the part that finally had me moving on.
Why am I bringing up my history and experiences with African American worship?
Well, today I stumbled upon a Youtube video of a Roman Catholic Mass (Holy Angels Catholic Church Mass, Chicago, Illinois, 1-11-2015) and I wondered what their Mass would be like compared to what I had experienced myself in a Protestant African American congregation.
Would African American "culture" show up in a Roman Catholic Mass?
The answer I discovered was 'oh yes... and more'...
Here is the video...
And here are some parts that struck me...not really in good ways.
There is a LOT of clapping going on. This was typical in the African American Baptist church too.
They sang the "Amen" just like in "Lilies of the Field"...
While "Hallelujah" is being sung the priest and his deacon hand out bottles of blessed Holy Water...
The priest goes into the pews and everyone holds hands for the "Our Father"...
There was singing at the pulpit (I've never seen this in any parish or congregation anywhere)...
The priest again goes into the pews for the Sign of Peace- which here in this parish means all around hugs for everyone!!
Here is the priest going in for some hugs...
Everyone is leaving their pews and wandering around to hug other people...
Holy Communion nightmare...
After Holy Communion when we should be praying in silence a sort of Gospel concert takes place with dancing, hand clapping and waving hands in the air while the priest and deacon clear the altar. There is ZERO reverence or silence and absolutely NO quiet time to reflect on the Eucharist they have just consumed.
Remember these people have JUST had Holy Communion a second before this occurs...
Once the altar is cleared its Happy Birthday time at this Catholic parish. The priest asks anyone who is celebrating a birthday to come up front for a blessing and birthday cards...
After the birthday blessings the priest also called up a couple celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary and the entire process repeated, complete with cards.
I've never seen a Mass like this... I don't know if its typical in other parishes (African American or otherwise) but little of it seemed Catholic to me.
I was saddened to see that (to me) a peoples "culture" took precedence over their Catholic Faith.
My question is...was this just another example of the "modern" liberal Church in action at Mass or is this typical of all African American Catholic parishes?
I'd love to hear from others who have personal experiences with such parishes.
God bless.
In Christ,
Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner
Sources: http://www.holyangels.com/pastor
Parish: http://www.holyangels.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFoEXETzxXw
