The Third Prayer

Are you going through a “faith dry spell?”  You know when you start to go through the motions and just go to church because you know you have to go?  Well, if you answered yes and live in the St. Louis area then I completely recommend that you attend a Mass at St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock” Catholic Church at least once.

A quick side note: Before Mass, Frank and I were both able to go to Confession.  We attempted to go on my birthday but the line was too long.  But now we know that we were meant to attend Confession at St. Alphonsus so we could meet one on one with the priest.  He was so amazing at giving the Sacrament and talked to me in such a loving way.  I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks.  (But two hours later I committed my first sin!)

We attended Mass with my friend Joanne and her husband Kevin.  I can’t say enough amazing things about Joanne.  I completely admire her and look up to her in all aspects of her life.  She is a true and faithful Christian who loves her Lord and Savior.  She is a loving mother to her two children.  She is a devoted wife to her husband.  And to me, she is a good friend by being an amazing listener and always giving such great, compassionate advice.  I only hope that I can be half the woman she is someday.  I truly look up to her.  Love you Joanne!

St. Alphonsus is a predominately African American church that is not like any other church I have ever attended.  The energy in the room reminds me of a baptist church that you would see on tv.  But it is 100% Catholic.  When they sing, they don’t just follow the words on paper.  They sway from side to side, they clap their hands and they belt out the lyrics so that God can hear them! 

Before Mass even began one of the parishioners went to the pulpit and was going over the weekly announcements.  But at the same time he was getting the church fired up and ready to start Mass.  I felt the Holy Spirit enter me before Mass even began as he spoke to my heart.  I was ready for church to begin so I could give God glory and praise.

They don’t use Missals to follow the Mass.  Everyone brings their Bibles to church and follows along as the Lecturer speaks the Word of God.  The priest’s homily was about…20 minutes.  I was able to walk away halfway through, nurse Mary Rene and come back to hear some more.  He was such a good speaker you didn’t want him to finish! 

For the sign of the peace, everyone got out of their pews and went and hugged and talked to their fellow parishioners.  There was nothing fake about the peace in that room. 

During Communion they sang Oh Happy Day and honestly, that made my day.  I really get into the music at my church and often find myself swaying to the music.  Holding Mary Rene is a good excuse because people think I am just swaying my daughter and then I don’t look goofy.  But at their church, I fit right in as I sang and swayed to the music.  After singing this song, Communion was coming to an end but they started singing a praise song.  As the song was heating up, people in the church started standing up and lifting their arms up to the Lord.  I was standing in back with Mary Rene and the woman next to me was passionately singing and praising Our Lord.  I was so moved watching all the people stand up and praising God that I started to cry.  I wanted to start singing my praise as well!

From start to end, the Mass was everything you would want in a celebration of the Eucharist.  The Mass lasted two hours but it didn’t seem that long.  Frank and I both enjoyed the Mass so much that we decided to start attending every few months.  It will definitely help keep our faith fueled with fire!   

 

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After Mass we went to lunch at Crown Candy.  I ordered the BLT and a strawberry milkshake.  We wanted to order candy but the line was too long…which is a good excuse to go back another day!

This entry was posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 10:21 am and is filed under 101 Goals in 1001 Days, Faith. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.