Sunday, July 1, 5:15pm

We (I) decided that we should also attend services at the Cathedral Church, there was a 5:15pm service so we would have time to see the Sacred Arts exhibit at the Museum before going to church again.

When we left the Museum it started to rain, then pour, so we darted, dashed, side-stepped, waited, and then made one final dash up the Cathedral steps. We skirted past the priest and entourage right as they were ready to process down the center aisle with the incense boy leading the way; the lady at the back greeted us and handed us a 12 page Order of Worship. As we sat down (after our attempt at the obligatory bow and crossing ourselves), I asked Richard “surely, we’re not going to go through this whole thing?” He sighed. We did and then some, but still finished in under an hour and a half. 

• The service is mostly chanted and sung, there is a mix of both Spanish and English in the hymns we sang.
• It is rather melodic and mesmerizing, my mind drifts…
• Outside the church tower bells toll six, the muffled sound increases my senses for what is around me.
• A small boy sits on the floor in the center aisle, when his father notices him playing he motions him back into the pew.  Which he does quickly and quietly.
• The Baptismal font softly babbled like a brook unnoticed, yet ever present. Water flowing from the font into a pool in front of it reminded me of cleaning, movement and renewal.
• Artwork with the stories of the Bible surround us, saints, prophets, spiritual leaders, children.
• Oh, the places one’s mind can go. There are stories here.

So, why did I want to go to this Catholic church? Part of me wanted to fall in love with the rich traditions, the pageantry, the elegance of worship (or what I believe to be Catholic service); but as I sat there even though I can appreciate the Spirit of Holiness and even sense it, I didn’t feel fully connected.  Through no fault of the church, its leaders or the congregation, the cup of my soul was not filled.

Which proves to me, once again, when seeking a more meaningful relationship with God, it takes personal commitment, awareness, dedication, openness, devotion, concentrated effort and a little Holy mystery.