On the soft green elliptical grass

After having attended two vastly different churches the past two weeks, I decided to see if my church could continue to provide the same constancy of ritual, of community, that I've always clung to in times of trouble. With hope for finding the familiar, I headed this morning to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in the Milimani suburb of Kisumu.

The exterior of the church, a meeting ground for the community

While much of the service was obviously similar, there were many Kenyan touches. Perhaps things are different in different churches, but I was raised in a church where the ushers were always the men of the church or the youth. Here, it was the women elders, collectively called  "The Mothers", that clearly ran the church, from seating, to offertory baskets, to presentation of the gifts. There were two young schoolgirls that were ever present in the aisle of the church, and they performed choreography to many of the recitations and responses sung during the mass.

The songs were amazing, with rich harmonies, complete with the uniquely African noise that can only be described as ululating. Unfortunately the music was often over-accompanied by what I've always referred to (my sisters will back me up on this) Fletcher Organ Company music. There used to be a piano and keyboard company that sold instruments in the malls in central Florida, and there was always some synthesized rhumba beat emanating from the store. Anyone remember that? I did attempt to record some of the music, but I'll have to play with it before I can post it properly.

The first mass was celebrated in Kisumu in 1902, as the railroad approached town, a number of the workers were Catholic and traveled with a catechist. The diocese was made official, and St. Joseph's was established in December of 1903.The church holds masses in Kiswahili, English and Luo, one of the tribal languages (of which, Kenya has 42!)

The Mary shrine

There were some changes in the mass, what I presume to be optional portions of the service. And, my search continues for a parish that actually recites the Apostle's  Nicene Creed. I think the more I recognize that I miss it, the more I realize that it is that portion of the mass that has always spoken to me. A unified group of people speaking firmly and strongly about their beliefs. I know that communion should be the most important part of the mass, but professing that belief really centers me as a Catholic. Some portions of the mass that I've always considered reserved for the celebrant, i.e. through him, with him... are recited in unison. And what seems like a deliberate change may or may not have a specific meaning (Steven? help me out here) in that they say "... shed for you and for many, so that sins may be forgiven..." instead of "...shed for you and for all..."

I took it as a positive sign that the communion hymn was one of my favorites, "Bread of Life". I know it's not exactly unique, but it was the version and tune that I remember from childhood.

So, yes, a bastion of familiarity in this crazy, wonderful country. Very glad I chose to go.