Some good church practices - in my view

Needless to say,  the celebration of the mass follows the same order as the ones that I have attended in some parts of the world.  There are some differences though in the "delivery of services" based on my recent experience.

Inside the church, everyone is seated.  Not that there are few churchgoers, but the catechists and ushers make it a point to find seats for those inside the church.  Standing room is outside the doors.

During offertory, the collection baskets are not passed from pew to pew - as if people are passing sheets of paper. Instead, two baskets are held at each strategic place near the altar, and people line up to drop their donations.

The musical instruments used by the choir are mainly  their traditional instruments - drums and guitars of different sizes. 

But most importantly, the service lasts for 2 hours - not because of the long homily - but because of the singing punctuated by the clapping of hands.  People applaud after the homily and after each song.    There is no dancing or great exertion but simply light swaying to the tune.

The choir gives soft music appropriate for the occasion under the graceful hand movements of the conductor, Jennifer.  She later agreed for me to take her picture but she chose the background image.

I felt that the 2-hour long service was not meant to simply perform an "obligation", but rather to have a delightful experience while performing an obligation.     The atmosphere is conducive for people to conveniently participate in the service or express their intimate prayers.  



It was a refreshing spiritual experience.