Our next Faith on the Road visit takes us northward to Montana. Following a 2 1/2 hour trip to Billings, Montana to see Pictograph Cave State Park and additional leg to Little Bighorn and the site of Custer’s Last Stand, we came back to Billings to attend Mass at St. Bernard Catholic Church.
Not overly thrilled with the experience for sure. I was greeted at the door by a friendly gentleman. Unfortunately, he wanted to talk a lot and wouldn’t really let me go pray and prep for Mass. when I finally was free to enter the Church, it was nice looking but very loud. The parishioners present were carrying on a lot of conversations and the acoustics amplified the volume, it was loud. To add to this, they had a radio station (it sounded like) playing music over the PA system. Very difficult to focus on prayers.
Mass was great because Jesus was present in the Holy Eucharist.
Then, the pianist started the exit hymn prior to the final blessings. Very odd. When done with 3 verses, the priest finally gave announcements and the blessing. Both the deacon and priest seemed tight and too ordered in speech.
Except for Jesus’ Eucharistic Presence…this wasn’t a pleasant experience.
The Tabernacle was in the Adoration Chapel in the rear of the Church. While the Adoration Chapel and Tabernacle are beautiful, Jesus shouldn’t be hidden away from the main event of Mass.
See you next in Glacier National Park wat up north in Montana.
