[Norwalk, CT] -- Before I left the Philippines, I had one wish. I wished (it was more of a prayer) that wherever I go, wherever I settle, no matter how temporary, a Catholic church is nearby. I have said many times before that churches make me feel closer to home, to however I have defined "home"-- peaceful, tranquil, and reassuring. A place that could feed my hunger and my thirst. The hunger and the thirst that no one and nothing in this material world, could ever satisfy.
I lived in Makati City for almost half a decade. I was not a member of any parish but the little chapel in Greenbelt became my getaway. Amidst the busy life that I've had, amidst the busy city that I was in, it was there. Right from the office or the gym, before shopping or even after, before some games, a night-out or a little get-together, and of course, on a Sunday mass or Saturday's anticipated mass, I made sure I pass by there. And when I still have the energy and time has given me the opportunity, I would usually walk home, back to my little space in Mayapis Street. A good 45-minute brisk walk.
It was an answered prayer, a granted wish, when I found out that the Catholic church in South Plainfield (NJ) is just a 5-minute walk from my brother's place. Moreover, I have found another one in Metuchen that I could hang out while waiting for my bus ride from the rail station. Attending to the usual Sunday mass or dropping by every time I feel like it, was never a problem. I love to walk.
So my church-issue was settled. I was all right. More than all right, until my next prayer was answered...
I was praying for something that I could enjoy. Something that I would look forward to every day. For 9 months that prayer remained unanswered. Then the call came. It's something temporary but it's something to make me happy. And it was the answer to my prayer. I like what I am doing right now. I wake up at ten past five in the morning and try to hit the sack at eleven in the evening. Need I say more? I enjoy what I am doing. But there is one thing that I forgot to pray about-- Let there be a church nearby.
I stay in Norwalk, Connecticut. Some 3-hour ride from New Jersey, if one is commuting. 1 bus ride, a NJ Transit, 2 subway stops, and a Metro-North train. From the train station in Norwalk, it's either I call for someone to pick me up or I walk.
I stay there from Wednesday to Sunday. My day would start at 5:45am and reliever comes between 9pm and 10pm. On Weekends, someone comes to relieve me from 12noon to 2pm. I have time to hear mass on Sundays if they have a noontime mass, I thought.
On my first day, I made sure I knew where the Catholic church is. There is one, a few meters away from the rail station. On my first day off, I asked to be dropped off at the rail station so I know how long it would take me to the church, driving. Within 7 or 10 minutes, I could get there. But I don't drive. So I tried walking the next time I had the chance. A good 30-minute walk. That's around 1.5 miles. Not bad if we have an agreeable weather. I love to walk. (I've said that a while ago, haven't I?).
My next goal was to check out the church. I needed to know if it is a Roman Catholic church. You see, I have a habit of going inside a building that looks like a church to me. Unlike in the Philippines wherein, at a glance, we can tell if one is a Roman Catholic church or not; here, you have to make sure. And I am talking based on my own (mis)adventures. There was one time in New York City that I entered this one church that looked like a Roman Catholic church, inside and out. I bowed my head, knelt, and prayed. Then, I looked up and wandered my eyes to the altar-- something is odd! I found out that it wasn't a RC church.
There is NOTHING bad or wrong with that, of course. It's not an issue, but I have my faith in my Religion.
Moving on, the church near the rail station is indeed a Roman Catholic church (they usually have a signage for that)-- The Parish of Community of The St. Thomas the Apostle - Roman Catholic Church. I was lucky that there was a choir practice one night, the side doors were open. I had to sneak in and see if I could ask someone about the schedule of masses. I took one of their weekly bulletins instead and grabbed some envelops for my tithe, which is another of my concern.
The schedule of masses is as follows:
Saturday (vigil): 5:15pm
Sunday: 7:30am; 9am; 10:30am; 12nn; 5pm
Monday to Friday: 7am; 5:15pm
Saturday: 7am
I have a rest period of 2 hours on Sundays from 12nn to 2pm but the mass is at 12nn. I don't drive and it's going to take me 30 minutes if I hike going there. On my second Sunday, I was in panic mode. I felt disconnected and there was a pinch of guilt hanging over me, more of a longing or a hunger maybe. God never fails to bless me, all I need to do is give back a little time and tithe. And I am not even doing these things for Him (who says He needs anything from us, eh?! Who are we kidding?), in reality, I am doing these things for myself. I need it like I needed to eat.
On Monday, having missed another Sunday mass, I tried to wake up early so I can hear the 7am mass before leaving for New Jersey. Well, I guess I will have to try harder. I arrived at the church at 7:15am. The mass has ended (wow! that was a fast mass!) and reconciliation was going on. Just what I needed, I said. I needed to take my worries off my system and talking to a priest sounds good to me.
My concerns were heard. And the priest said, it is all right to miss a Sunday mass as long as I hear one on the days that I am off, and I can do whatever I like with my tithe. I am not a member of any parish, I said, but I got some of their envelops.
I cannot keep up with God's generosity. I am not even trying. No one can ever keep up. All I want is to give back a little of the things that are not even mine in the first place. Whatever I have, they are all His, never mine. I am not a saint. Just one hungry soul and I am glad that I've found a source of food again.
Readers have left 2 comments. 1. Untitled
cRiSpAm, Unregistered hi mae, natawa ako  sa blog entering that church na akala mo RC church. did you make the sign of the cross? anyways, pareho lang yun, i'm pretty sure your prayers were heard by pareng G. take care and God bless always! 2. Untitled
Mae, Unregistered oo nga eh nakwento ko nga din ke Sis Malu nung nagkita kami e. and yes, i did the sign of the cross. HAHAHAHA! |
Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop 
I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by Juan Dela Cruz, and I am currently being trained for more by Uncle Sam. Writing since the age of 12. Blogging since 2001. I keep a notebook and a pen in my bag, on my bedside table, and inside the bathroom. Misses a lot. Sometimes even my own voice. Loves to laugh. Sometimes even at myself. I am a work in progress. My ultimate dream is to be a SAHM. That is, if I am bound to have that chance in this lifetime... and I am.