The Visitor

The Church i went to visit was Saint Christopher Cathlioc Church located on 25075

Cottonwood Ave in Moreno Valley. My experience visiting a new church that wasn't mine made

me feel a bit uncomfortable but i had a friend join me who goes often so it made me feel a bit

more calm. The view outside from the parking lot was very nice, I noticed the building had some

statues around as well as the inside. My first thought going into the church was that I was not

going to fit in. We went to a Sunday Morning service that was in spanish. The church is open all

week but have services Monday through Saturday in both Spanish and English. Sundays at the

church are only for confession. Walking into the church i noticed that the windows were colorful

and had drawings on them which I found very interesting and unique. I also noticed a sign

limiting dress code and what you were not allowed to wear. The dress code is enforced to

maintain a respectful atmosphere, those who do not follow dress code may not be admitted inside

the church. The dress code rules were that shirts without sleeves were not permitted, men may

not wear any kind of shorts and women skirts may only be below the knees.

A few things I learned in the cathlioc church was that Catholics believe in an appointed

spiritual leader such as the pope and he is god's representation here on earth. Rules that the pope

instills are laws and must be followed as if they were the word of god. These rules are things like

Birth control, Abortion, and who has the right to be married. As a christian we view pope as head

of the church but don't acknowledge his authority or that he is superior. Pastors can only give

guidance or advice and nothing more.

In a cathlioc church I noticed Mary is often talked about and worshipped in a cathlioc

than christain church. In a cathlioc church mary is considered the queen of saints leader and
highest ranked saint of all saints. For the reason that she was a virgin who had Jesus and was

chosen by god. They believe she is without sin and her resurrected body went straight to heaven.

In christian churches we believe marys body was just buried when she died and was full of sin

like the rest of us.

Mass is something that we do in both christian and cathlioc churches but are a bit

different. Mass is where the bread and wine consecrated and become the body and blood of

christ. In the cathlioc church we all got up to drink this dark red liquid which i believe was juice

to represent the blood of christ. We all drank from this gold fancy cup in a line while the pope

did the father, son, and holy spirit chant. In a christian church we do the mass sitting down all at

the same time from different tiny cups and bread representing his body. A christan mass can be

attended on Sundays, during various religious days of prayer or even attend on new years day at

service. Mass can even be worshipped at home. Cathlioc churches can have mass several times

during a day throughout the week. The places of worship can confined to church, chapel,

cathedrals, and basilica.

The statues in a cathlioc church are accepting depiction of christ mary or other saints in

form of statues. These statues can be displayed in walls at home, worn on jewelry, tattooed on

body or displayed at church. In christian churches we limit diplictions to being displayed in

churches, cathedral or in chapels. I noticed that in a cathlioc church they have a big cross

displayed with Jesus when he was nailed onto the cross. In a christian church we only have a

cross because we believe that is not how he died. He was resurrected and off the cross which is

why we display only a cross.

Ash wednesday is another thing we do different in both churches. In cathlioc churches

ash wednesday is celebrated 46 days before easter appreciating the death and resurrection of
christ through prayer, fasting, and self denial. With these ashes the priest marks a cross on

individuals foreheads saying “ Remember, man, that dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt

return.” honoring ash wednesday is showing sorrow to your sins and preparing for the holy

death.

First communion is important in a cathlioc church because it's when children are

receiving the body and blood of Jesus for the first time. First communion is receiving the holy

spirit for the rest of your lives Catholics become one with christ and believe they will share his

eternal life. First communions usually happen when your at a young age. You must go to cathlioc

classes and pass a test in order to do your first communion, passing this test will mean you have

learned about the lord and are ready to receive him. This is often similar to getting baptised at a

chtristain church. When you become baptised you are ready to let the Lord into your life for the

rest of your life but the only difference is you get to be baptised at any age when you are ready to

let him into your life.

Confession is very big on all religions but a cathlioc church confession is quite different.

I did not get to use the room where confession happens but i did ask about it. The confession

room is a small room with a window that has the priest on the other side.You may confess all

your sins in that room and get advice about them. The priest can not see you while you are

confessing making you feel more comfortable. The confession room is only available on

Sundays from 4-6. Confessions can only happen at church. In a christian belief confession can

happen anywhere at anytime and usually confess with prayer speaking to god himself since we

do believe that a priest has no greater power.

I didn't get to catch if their Bible was similar or different to ours. But after the priest read

bible verses they had a little play of jesus and how the men would whoop him and before he got
resurrected. I found that very interesting yet very graphic for kids for the fact that many were

crying. I feel like it was an eye opener and teaching everyone a little bit of what jesus went

through. Before service had ended everyone said a prayer and service was over. On our way out i

noticed by every door they had like cups of water representing holy water and on our way out

everyone had to dip their fingers into that holy water and draw a cross on their foreheads. The

use of the holy water and making the sign of the cross reflects a renewal of baptism, cleansing of

sin and protection from all evil. The holy water can be used at the beginning or end of service but

i missed grabbing it like many people so i got it at the end. Leaving the church we were thanked

for coming and given this paper about the church's schedule and the different events and things

they have to offer. I learned more about the church and all they offer such as a room where kids

can go to learn more about Jesus or the second room that can prepare the children for their first

communion. They also hold many different religious events like an upcoming one on December

7th celebrating Mary that has mass, rosary, live music, games and more.

I found the cathlioc church to be very interesting and different from what im used to but i

found it very interesting to learn a new religion and how different their beliefs are and how they

operate the church in different ways. Although the church service was in spanish so I didn't

really understand much of the bible versus the priest had said I did enjoy being a visitor to a

different church and i'm glad i learned more about the cathlioc community for the fact that many

people say all catholics are christiams but not all christians are cathlioc.