MY EXPERIENCE AT ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC
CHURCH, DUBAI.

Sunday, 13th September 2015, we were to attend
Evening mass in English by 19:30hours GMT +4
(7:30pm). This waa about our best option as the
finding a church in Dubai can be compared to
finding an oasis in the desert. This can be attributed
to the fact that this is a muslim country but it has
been said previously that any settlement without a
CATHOLIC CHURCH, IGBO MAN, & COCA-COLA
products is incomplete.
Well we set out from our Hotel at bout 6:45pm and
had about 30minutes drive before we got to the
Church.

The beautiful and well lit grotto of our Blessed Virgin
Mary with burning incenses and the praying faithful
was a very exciting sight to behold. I didn't fail to
notice the caption: "Do not throw money in here"
that was inscribed on the body of the Grotto. (But na
normal thing for naija na, I thought within me).

Anyway, we proceeded to enter the Church building
and for some micro seconds I wondered if I was in
Church or in the Maracana Stadium because the
size of the Church was like 25 or more football
fields joined together with projectors everywhere;
the eight wonder of the world I guessed.
The rosary prayers were ongoing and the Church
was packed full to the brim to the extent that people
(including I) had to stand.

The Holy Mass began @ EXACTLY 7:30pm and I
was pleased there was no 'African time'. Well, I
immediately noticed that 98% of the females there
had their heads UNCOVERED and were clad in all
sorts of trousers. Even the two girls who served at
mass had nothing above their heads. (Nawa O!,
wetin de happen na ). I decided to watch
keenly everything that was happening.

The Liturgy of the word commenced immediately
with two layreaders approaching the sanctuary clad
in SUITS, even the woman wore a TROUSER SUIT
with UNCOVERED HAIR....it is well O! Lest I forget to
mention, not even one altarserver came out to
welcome the lectors, they were just sitting down. I
thought they will at least flank the priest with
candles during the Gospel but it was contrary to my
thinking.

The homily came next as expected. It was
EXACTLY 15mins. (Seriously? :-O), the homily
was so cool and calm and philosophical that I
couldn't help but think of my own lovely Fr. Essien
Augustus (MSP) and Fr. Benedict Egbuchulem... But
I at once began to miss my own friends Fr Franklin;
my energetic, charismatic, vibrant humourous and
talented minister who could run from one end of the
sanctuary to the other in jubilation and soul lifting
praise. Why was Fr. Mario Dibie not here to act
drama for us and make us appreciate every detail
of the word of God in very simple ways? Can Fr.
Victor Ogunyemi miraculously appear here and lead
us in beautiful angelic worship to Yaweh Sabaoth?
Well, if wishes were horses...

The offering was next, I had straightened out my
well tailored native ready to walk down to the
offering stand when I suddenly noticed that
NOBODY WAS STANDING UP, (why na?),
SUDDENLY, about 50 individuals came out with
some opaque materials with wooden handles and
moved round each each seat for the worshippers to
put in their offering. (Chisos! Uwa-oma, I couldnt
help but wonder whether this was a normal offering
of the mass or an SBC of a Marian gathering).

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST.

Everything was so usual and familiar to me until I
heard "Let us offer each other the sign of peace", I
excitedly prepared to shake @ least 10 hands or
more when I noticed that everybody in the
congregation was sufdenly an Altarserver, because
they all had their hands in the form of prayer and
began to nod their heads to the cardinal points of the
earth, mehn, I quickly pocketed my Nigerian hand
O! Thank God say dem no notice sef.
There wwre over 40 lay distributors of the Body of
Christ, I think they are called 'instituted alcolytes' or
something. I quickly noticed that they were all
bringing out their palms to receive Holy Communion,
thank God I didnt bring out my Nigerian tongue o.
.
***********************
I almost shouted 'O Sacrament most Holy and I
remembered I was not in NFCS. Surprisingly,
the priest himself began to take the announcements
of the Church and ended with, for other
announcements, visit the Church WEBSITE. ( ok na,
me I am used to 'please refer to your bulletin' or at
best 'please check the notice board'. Then the priest
took the prayer After Communion. (When
announcements became part of the Communion
rites, I wondered). I also noticed that THERE WAS
NO SECOND COLLECTION.

Finally, an announcement was made that the
Charismatics will be having a programme on
Wednesday evening tagged "Come let us praise the
Lord". Shuooooo! It is veey good to praise God, but
na say this people no get wicked aunty 4 village
wey talk say dem nor go make am? Dem no get
people wey sidan for their progress? I couldn't help
but think of the themes of the crusades we have at
home.

*LOOSE HIM AND LET HIM GO!
* NONE SHALL BE BARREN IN THE LAND
* THAT GRAVE IS NOT FOR YOU
* LORD, MY CASE IS URGENT!
* GET BEHIND ME SATAN!

Just February this year, I organised "O LORD MAKE
HASTE TO HELP ME' for my people at school. Is it
that this people really don't have issues to settle?
What happened to our weapon of "HOLYGHOST
FIRE"? I was almost relaxing and about to believe
that the world is generally sweet when I
remembered that I am not from Dubai. I have not
forgotten that I am a Spiritual warrior, FIRE is my
name and identity and I do not plan to stop Firing in
the nearest future. Even this night, before I sleep, I
must FIRE! because those who lie in wait for the
Children of God for no just cause are on patrol.
Anyway, I think I will stop here. Any similar
experience from anyone? Pls share! —

Have you read this article? https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=896972517006539&id=100000813967357&set=a.109191102451355.5530.100000813967357&ref=logo&_rdr I wonder why you are the only one who hasn't read it. Hurry now and read it!

I stopped at a point. ....too long but interesting.

Lol

I'll be back. Let me get popcorn.

After going thru the rigor of reading, all I can say is that, the op needs to understand that, there are no lay down rules of worshiping God.
Different people with different tongues choose to worship him the way they pleases or seen as appropriate.
Nigerians should stop forming holier that thou.

That's an example of what the synagogue of Satan will be like after Jesus Christ has raptured His bride

Many zombies would be in attendances thinking they are doing service to Jesus Christ... Not knowing that the gathering is a tool being used by Satan to control the world...Any one who opposes them would be persecuted and killed... that's why y'all have to be prepared for rapture!

The truth is, the cross of Jesus Christ was never smooth but rugged, and the road to salvation is very narrow... Serving God goes with a great deal of sacrifice; all worldly appearances and worship style MUST be discarded! A true Church of God would never amend the things of God to accomodate worldly lifestyles. Any thing contrary to the narrow path leads to destruction!

As for me, I will cling to that old rugged cross till I exchange it some day for a crown!

Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.