Karis Barker - Church Visit #3

Church name: Resurrection Catholic Parish
Church Address: 30W350 Army Trail Road Wayne, IL 60184
Date attended: 11/1/15
Church category: More liturgical

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?
The worship service that I attended at the Resurrection Catholic Parish was, well, Catholic. However, it didn't seem as traditional as Catholic services that I have attended in the past. This was definitely reflected by the architecture of the church. The lack of stained glass and ornamentation was a stark contrast, especially after experiencing Catholic parishes in Central America this past summer. I found its minimalism quite beautiful. Still, there were familiar components like the stations of the cross, statues of Mary, and even a fountain that one might find in a traditional church. 

In regards to my regular church context, the size of the church and congregation was more similar than the Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church. I think that there were about 300 attendees at Resurrection service I attended. 

Different though, was the presence of liturgy. I am used to the formula of 3 songs, 20 minutes sermon, offering/communion, closing prayer, and finish with a song or two. This service literally and figuratively kept me on my toes. There was a lot of sitting and standing, going from one activity to another (prayers, songs, communion, blessing each other, reciting statements, and so on). I imagine that if I attended this church a few more times I would understand its formula but for my first service, I couldn't really predict what events would happen (except maybe communion). Despite the poise and flow of the service, it felt disjointed to me. 

VS.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?
Church architecture always interests me, especially how it promotes a worshipful environment. The Resurrection Catholic Parish sanctuary is oriented around the middle of the space instead of a stage or particular end of the room. The pews were circular, concentric in the circular sanctuary. While I don't think this characteristic necessarily promoted worship, it certainly promoted a sense of community, wholeness. 

Another interesting or appealing aspect about this worship service was the presence of female participation as worship leaders, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and lectors. 

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?
The liturgy was definitely the most disorienting/challenging aspect of the worship service especially since one of the main priests spoke English as a second language. In general, he was hard to understand. It was helpful to have memorized the Apostle's Creed (and starting to memorize the Nicene Creed) because much of the liturgy seemed to be derived from such language but it was still hard to keep up. I wonder how people can stay so enthusiastic/engaged service after service, with the same words over and over. I think it would be really easy for church to become a ritual if I attended a Catholic service every week. I suppose there are times when even my home church can feel perfunctory. Maybe people find the stability and predictability of liturgy helpful for their worship experience.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?
With the ESL priest, I found it hard to perceive many things in the service. I think he talked about how the only way to get into Heaven is to follow the commandments of God. His quick exegesis seemed very legalistic. Furthermore, ( and not surprisingly) the priest emphasized works more than faith for salvation. My church approaches salvation much more as faith/relationship-based. Also, saints were certainly mentioned more at this service than at my home church.