Portfolio Assignment #3: Being the "Other"

Outside of St. Francis of Assisi

 

The hymn book we used for opening and closing songs.

A prayer book one of the members gave me to keep.

I ended up going to a Catholic mass on a weekday. I arrived at the church 15 minutes early and no one was there except for the custodial crew. I lingered outside their main chapel area (which I actually don't know the proper name for), and I nice woman approached me and directed me to a smaller chapel at the side of the building, where mass would be taking place that morning.

She sat in the back row and I chose the same row because I figured, if I needed more help she'd be willing. More people filed in as the hour approached. Each of them dipping their hands into what I think was holy water and doing the sign of the cross. As they approached the corpus crucifix at the head of the chapel, they bowed, and some kneeled. Then the priest (I think he was a priest...) came in and we all stood. I only knew I needed to stand because everyone around me stood up.

Then my misconceptions of Catholicism were altered. I always thought that you sat, listened, and returned home. Instead we often stood, kneeled, chanted, and made gestures with our hands. I often didn't know what everyone was saying, but followed along as best I could.

The kind lady again helped me as it was time for communion. "You aren't Catholic, are you?" I sheepishly replied, "No, I'm just visiting." She told me I could stand in line with the others partaking of the Eucharist, but I would just cross my arms over my chest to indicate that I would like only a blessing. I learned later (from a Mormon friend) that you must be baptized Catholic to participate in Holy Communion.

There was very little interaction between members, which I thought was very reverent, but I loved a part of the mass where we all turned to each other, shook hands, and repeated "Peace be with you" to one another. 

At the end, some lingered to continue praying, while others stepped outside to chat. I remained sitting to process the experience. The woman who helped me, Julie, handed me her January prayer book and said, "If you want, you can have this to understand a little more about what just happened." I accepted her offer, thanked her, and started skimming the pages. Another man, Paul, came in and I asked him a question about some of the scripture reading. He ended up chatting with me for 40 minutes. He is a convert from Mormonism to Catholicism. He encouraged me multiple times to be open to God's journey for me. I nodded and appreciated his openness and willingness to share about his experience, although I did not agree with everything he said. I felt it would be inappropriate to share my thoughts to any extent while I was there and refrained from responding too much. He showed me into the main chapel and told me about the tabernacle where they continually set aside consecrated bread and wine for a later time.

I wandered a bit more, admiring the art. It was peaceful.

I wouldn't say I was "troubled" by any part of my experience. I think the troubling things for me just stem from doctrinal differences (especially worship of what I would consider idols and the constant bowing to the statue of Christ's crucifixtion on the wall). It was different to not socialize very much, but it also told me a story of their respect for the place in which they were and the deep reasons they were there. 

As a teacher, I do not want students to feel as I did--that I couldn't express my experiences with openness. Like pedagogical philosopher, Paulo Freire, I want my students to be critical thinkers. I want them to be able to disagree with me the teacher. I do not want to teach with the "banking" process, where my students are receptacles to be filled with my knowledge. Watching a film is a very subjective experience. The audience projects their experiences into the movies they watch and interpret them in their own way. I do not want to try and claim that I know the meaning. It will benefit everyone to learn from others analyses.

I do want to provide help in the form of kind words and resources as Julie did. I will need to be aware of students' body language. I'm sure there will be times they will not want to admit to struggling or their need of help, but if I am mindful, I can be there for them.