I visited St. Matthew's Church in Livonia for Mass yesterday, and it left an impression in several ways:
1) It felt happy. I mentioned that to the member who was sitting next to me, and he smiled and said "It is."
2) The whole place is bright and light. Mind you, part of what I love about St. Stephen's in Geneva is that it's dark and conducive to contemplation, but I liked bright and light, too.
3) Kids swarmed from the pews when it was time to leave for the children's liturgy.
4) The wall behind the altar table was massive stone, with a suspended statue of Jesus in front of it -- and, best of all, on either side were windows onto the countryside. Even from the way back seats, I could see it. What a gift.
Last week, we (Roman Catholics across the country) switched to new language for some of the things we've said for decades, and this parish has laminated cards from Our Sunday Visitor tucked into the hymnal/liturgy book. This was great!
If I'd remembered to look at it as often as I needed it, I would have been all set.
