(( ooc: hey there! a little notice before we begin: since Mass is pretty hard to thread, but i figured we should still have an "onscreen" spot for it, this post is going to work a little differently. rather than full entire formal threads, people are encouraged to leave comments outlining their attending character's general reaction to the Mass(es). if people want to thread from there, great! but it's by no means a requirement! go forth and have fun! ))
The little area set aside for the Catholics has been done up for some time now; slowly, through the month of December, little decorations have slowly been added. The first was the Advent candles, a wreath of evergreen pine sat on the table, nesting four candles of red, white, and green wax; one for each of the four Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas. Then a Nativity scene is added, and yet more little things; a small little pine tree all decorated in what he could reasonably get his poor hands on, the ornaments marking the family tree of Christ in the form of a Jesse tree, other candles, and baubles here and there. Then a book of the story of Christmas, so very, very kindly dedicated by the Pinhole bookbinders. On the 24th and 25th, the book, wreath, and Nativity move to pride of place.
It's his first real Christmas in 6 or so years, and he really wants to do this right. He's never been a particularly charismatic or magnetic priest, and being the only person on this island to represent the Catholic faith at its best is... ah. A lot, to be sure. Although a part of him is also glad for the lack of competition; he knows that quite a number of them are rather more unpleasantly uptight than he is.
Midnight Mass begins. It's only an hour, and is not too much different than the usual Mass, but he still has to soothe his nerves, especially when it comes to leading the very few established Catholics in attendance in Gloria with a few traditional carols. Thankfully, simply reading the story of Christmas for the Liturgy takes up a good chunk of time, especially with added context for the curious strangers who have shown up in attendance and interspersed with direct sections of the Gospel relating to the birth of Christ. It's all a very intimate affair. Mulcahy is soft-spoken and affable. He still looks a bit like a stiff wind might blow him to dust, but the usual warmth to his manner has really come alive tonight. And with such a small attendance compared to the usual Christmas congregations on Earth, it's far, far less sterile in mood than these usually tend to be. In fact, if anyone in the crowd raises a hand in question, he'd be very happy to stop and answer.
And then it's over, and the congregation is dismissed. He lingers for any questions, for anyone who wishes to speak with him. And then they go too, and he sits down on the nearest elevated surface.
midnight mass | OTA | read notice!
The little area set aside for the Catholics has been done up for some time now; slowly, through the month of December, little decorations have slowly been added. The first was the Advent candles, a wreath of evergreen pine sat on the table, nesting four candles of red, white, and green wax; one for each of the four Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas. Then a Nativity scene is added, and yet more little things; a small little pine tree all decorated in what he could reasonably get his poor hands on, the ornaments marking the family tree of Christ in the form of a Jesse tree, other candles, and baubles here and there. Then a book of the story of Christmas, so very, very kindly dedicated by the Pinhole bookbinders. On the 24th and 25th, the book, wreath, and Nativity move to pride of place.
Christmas traditionally demands four Masses: the Vigil Mass during the day of the 24th, the Midnight Mass, then the Mass at Dawn, and finally, Mass During the Day. Darcy will be there for all four, but Midnight Mass is the one that most go to. And considering the crowd that showed up for the evening meal at Darcy's Réveillon, he is sweating his ass off.
It's his first real Christmas in 6 or so years, and he really wants to do this right. He's never been a particularly charismatic or magnetic priest, and being the only person on this island to represent the Catholic faith at its best is... ah. A lot, to be sure. Although a part of him is also glad for the lack of competition; he knows that quite a number of them are rather more unpleasantly uptight than he is.
Midnight Mass begins. It's only an hour, and is not too much different than the usual Mass, but he still has to soothe his nerves, especially when it comes to leading the very few established Catholics in attendance in Gloria with a few traditional carols. Thankfully, simply reading the story of Christmas for the Liturgy takes up a good chunk of time, especially with added context for the curious strangers who have shown up in attendance and interspersed with direct sections of the Gospel relating to the birth of Christ. It's all a very intimate affair. Mulcahy is soft-spoken and affable. He still looks a bit like a stiff wind might blow him to dust, but the usual warmth to his manner has really come alive tonight. And with such a small attendance compared to the usual Christmas congregations on Earth, it's far, far less sterile in mood than these usually tend to be. In fact, if anyone in the crowd raises a hand in question, he'd be very happy to stop and answer.
And then it's over, and the congregation is dismissed. He lingers for any questions, for anyone who wishes to speak with him. And then they go too, and he sits down on the nearest elevated surface.
Phew.