A place of worship/social banter/”thinking time” or an hour away from the kids… whatever Mass means to you, it’s still an integral part of the weekend for most Irish people.
It’s only forty minutes out of our week, but it’s amazing what you’d notice about human nature when you’ve time to look around.
Here are ten things that you will see any Sunday at Mass…
1. The Kids With Toys
We were always so jealous. How come they got to run their toy cars up and down the pews and we had to try and prevent ourselves falling asleep during the homily?
2. The Church Is Packed When…
The “fast” priest is on.
3. The Bullets
Those who come in, get the parish bulletin and hang out in the shops for half an hour before heading home to Mammy, 100 per cent confident in what the gospel was.
4. The Bribers
You can tell them a mile off. Whispering in their kids’ ears everytime they begin to get restless. Clearly promising them to a post-Mass packet of Smarties.
One of these after Mass? Yes, please…
5. The Oh-Too-Cool Teenagers
The kind that huddle up on the bench behind their parents, their only prayer being that they won’t be spotted by a classmate. Or those who haven’t been to Mass in months because they were away in college “studying” and have to attempt to mumble along to the prayers.
6. The GAA Gear
Those either on their way to a Sunday morning match, training or tournament. For some reason they can’t cover up with a tracksuit pants so we’re all treated to the sight of far too much bare leg, a statement which says they are a part of the “local jee-ay-ayyyy”.
“Grand pair of legs on them”.
7. The Hangovers
There’s always a few hangovers in Mass. Look around, they’re the ones trying to get the Holy Bread down from the roof of their mouth. It’s a Sunday morning challenge in itself.
8. The Sunday Best
We love this. Nothing looks sweeter than the family who still get dressed up in their “good clothes” for their Sunday morning stint in Mass.
9. The People Who Tap The Basket
The shame when you have no change on you for the basket in Mass. Have you ever tapped the basket? We’ve witnessed it…
10. The Newly-Communion-ed Kids
The kids that line up for their Holy Communion with all the vigor and excitement of being a grown-up AT LAST. Chin up with pride, walking purposefully, tongue stuck out a mile to receive their Holy Bread… they’re not too difficult to spot really.
