Sunday Service, Cruise Style

There wasn't an opportunity to attend Mass on the cruise ship, but they did offer an interdenominational service Sunday afternoon. I know it's not the same as Mass, but I decided to attend. The service took place in one of the lounges. The lady who sat next to me commented that she'd never attended church in a cocktail lounge before. The cruise director, Heather Clancy (who happens to live in New Orleans) led the service. The format that Heather used was very similar to some parts of the Mass. It began with an opening prayer followed by a penitential prayer, then there was a scripture reading, a responsorial psalm, a profession of faith, some prayers of the faithful, and the Our Father. This was a little out of order compared with the Mass, but the service ended with a gospel reading, which was the same gospel reading that was said at Catholic Masses today. Heather gave a small talk about the meaning of the passage. Then a dismissal prayer brought the service to a close. Heather commented that we had to be out of the space on time, because there was a Martini tasting taking place immediately after the service. A little different, but an opportunity to turn hearts and thoughts upward on the Lord's Day.