During the weekend, I missed the English mass at 9am. Yet I was too early for the one in Tagalog which is before 12 noon that I joined the children’s mass. (If you are new in Abu Dhabi, mass in different languages are celebrated in St. Joseph Church in Kaniza area.) I felt a little out of place in the beginning, i.e. like attending a class for pupils wherein I should be with college batchmates. I never thought it would be that awakening.
That 10am mass was specifically for children of different nationalities who are attending the Catechism class every weekend. Unlike in some countries that Religion is a regular subject in Catholic/Christian schools, it cannot work that way in the Gulf. In UAE though, Arabic subject is required for Filipino and other schools. The nicest thing is that the government allows the residents and visitors to exercise their faith, besides Islam.
I was among the (at least) 10 adults who joined the children’s mass, excluding the Catechism teachers. I felt childlike again to be singing and praying with them. It’s very different when it’s them who sing the praises/songs. Though they were at times out of tune, they sounded pure, innocent and genuine with their intentions. The consolidated clash in accents, since they are from different countries, is too adorable. And when the (I’m not sure about his nationality, but I think he’s American) priest was delivering the homily, he walked to the aisle and talked as if he’s an elder brother to the children. Everytime he asked questions, almost all of them would raise hands and would always respond correctly. It felt like a graded recitation to me. Maybe because I was sort of insecure because some of these religious theories/facts, I cannot recall as quickly as the children did. I was actually praying, “please Father, don’t call me”. Heehee.
The homily is very straightforward as he wanted to impart to all that with God, nothing is impossible. (By the way, watch Facing the Giants if you haven’t seen it yet. It will move you. I promise.) I felt relieved in a way, that I never had to hear another homily that day that touches politics. What about separation/conflict between the church and government, that’s too classic for Filipinos and other nations.
I (normally) don’t cry easily. But when the priest asked, “to whom should we be offering our special prayers these days?” All the children responded so loudly, “to the Philippines and to the Filipinos!” A tear fell at that moment.
If you want to be back to your senses, try to join a children’s mass.
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0 thoughts on “Glad I missed the (regular) English mass”
BlogusVox
Nakakatuwa naman yan! It takes me back on my cathechism days. OT, I think Dubai 1 (or was it MBC Max) will be showing a movie about your favorite author this week – “Being Jane Austen”.
.-= BlogusVox´s last blog ..On Catching a Liar: Anatomy of a Spammer =-.
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dyanie
aawww. . true. children’s voices seem may out of tune but they sing with all of their hearts. btw, I just downloaded Fireproof and Facing the Giants. 🙂
.-= dyanie´s last blog ..quick update =-.
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cza
awwwww… touching. It’s nice that children are being taught to care and be aware of things. 🙂 And I agree.. iba tlaga pag sila yung kumakanta… parang choir of little angels no? really nice! 🙂
.-= cza´s last blog ..When hunger strikes… =-.
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mordsith
it’s so touching. even them has a genuine concern for our country. I hope they remain as pure as they are now. 🙂
.-= mordsith´s last blog ..On teaching =-.
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dong ho
it’s good that it’s an open city. everyone has their chance to exercise their faith.
.-= dong ho´s last blog ..the norte series – ilocos =-.
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Photo Cache
Our St. Joseph here has a “youth mass” at 5:30 pm on Sunday, but that’s for the teeners and tweeners. I think it’s the same mass we had growing up at St. Catherine’s Sunday 5 pm mass for students. What happens is you go to mass to hopefully get a peek or if you’re lucky get to sit next to your crush 🙂
.-= Photo Cache´s last blog ..The Camera Can Photograph Thought ~ Dirk Bogarde =-.
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blue rose
aww! it’s so touching wits. glad to hear also that evryone there has their chance to exercise their own faith.
.-= blue rose´s last blog ..Updates in bullet! =-.
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kg
naiyak din ako sa last part… children are the best! we should all keep a bit of the children in us!
dito sa amin, may children’s mass din. cute ng mga kids, lalo na yung choir and readers. 🙂
.-= kg´s last blog ..Parent tripping =-.
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Rico
Touching nga! Very much aware sila sa situation natin dito ah! Galing! I’m sure their parents are very proud.
I sometimes wish we could be like kids, singing their lungs out (praise songs no less) like nobody’s listening, or not caring at all.
.-= Rico´s last blog ..Pinoy ako =-.
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sheng
So true, just this Sunday, I watched the Sunday mass via ABS-CBN since we are far from church and I make it a point to watch every Sunday, my heart is gripped with such reality that we ask too much, when some only ask for the simplest things like tsinelas, we ask for too much when others only ask for a new day…i was into realization that we should make everyday as if is the last.
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bursky
one big “awwwwwww…” for the children there. :’)
.-= bursky´s last blog ..wonderful gift, cruel punishment =-.
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Polprav
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
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Rach (Heart of Rachel)
That is really touching. I would have been moved too.
.-= Rach (Heart of Rachel)´s last blog ..Aloha Friday #78 =-.
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