First Mass in Melbourne

A week ago, I was on the train with my colleague (a Christian) returning home from a lovely lunch hosted by one of my managers. We were having the general "train talks" trying to kill the 30 minute time on the train, when he asked me which church I go to. Being a catholic I was a bit embarrassed letting him know that I hadn't attended the Holy Mass in Melbourne. Six and half months. Yes, I hadn't attended the Holy Mass for the past six and half months. It was then that I decide to attend the Holy Mass.

Yesterday, I went to St. Francis Church at Lonsdale Street. St. Francis Church is the oldest church in the state of Victoria. I reached there at 4:20pm. As every other church there was a bowl of holy water at the entrance. I dipped my finger in it and made the sign of the cross on my forehead. There I saw a lady along with her daughter. The lady did the same as I. The daughter (probably 14) looked least interested in attending the mass and did not even look at the holy water. Her mom called out her name and she responded with a very rude "WHAT?". The lady a bit embarrassed by her daughter’s response gestured the girl to the same as we had done. I was shocked by the way the girl has responded to her mom.

In the church I could see Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai but very few "true" Australians. Even the people collecting the donations were not true Australians. I thought the mass would be different from the ones we have in India but it wasn't. The only difference that I noticed is when we say "Peace be with you" to the people sitting adjacent to us. In India we bow at each other but here it was a handshake. I sort of liked the handshake way and felt calm and peace when a lady sitting in front of me turned back shook my hand and said "Peace be with you".

I offered my usual prayer, thanking the Lord for giving me everything. Living in Flinders street everyday I get to see what the teenagers do and how they behave. So, I prayed specifically for the teenagers here in Melbourne as well.