Self attended mass in Talisay.
Well, it was a choice either of attending 6 p.m. mass in Sum-ag, or the 8 a.m. mass in Talisay.
Someone advised her that it would be better to attend the mass in Talisay.
So she awoke bright and early. And when she arrived, it was well after 8. Oh no! Self thought: you should have gotten up earlier!
The church was packed with people. They were all lined up to receive communion. Gee, self thought. That must have been a short mass! She looked around to see if there was someone she could ask. Ah, here’s someone! A woman sitting in self’s pew, with her eyes closed, apparently saying the rosary. Self slid over to her.
“Excuse me,” she began. She had to repeat herself three times.
The woman’s eyes reluctantly opened. She looked at self with utter shock. Or amazement. Or perhaps — bwah. ha. ha! — admiration?
“Do you know if there’s another mass after this one?” self inquired.
“Yes,” the woman said. “At 8 a.m.”
Which then confused self even more, because the time on her watch said 8:20.
“You mean,” self asked, “the mass is just beginning?” Which was really strange, unless masses in Talisay begin with communion– ?
“No,” the woman said. “This is the 7 a.m. mass.”
Whoaaa! You mean, masses in Talisay last an hour and a half?
“There’ll be another mass right after this one,” the woman said. “The 8 a.m. mass.”
Okey-dokey!
Self slid away from the woman and attempted to look perfectly nonchalant. Even, prayer-ful.
But, she just had to ask this poor woman one last question. She just had to. She sneaked a glance at the woman, and she had once again closed her eyes. Her lips were moving silently.
Self slid over once again. “Excuse me,” she said again. Again the woman’s eyes opened, but this time, much much slower than before.
“I just have to ask one last question. I promise, after this one, I won’t ask you anything more. Is it OK to take pictures? During the mass?”
The woman nodded.
Joy!
Self slid away.
There is another funny story to tell, about what happened during the collection. But now self has an appointment to keep.
Stay tuned, dear blog readers. Stay tuned.