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Brandon Clark

Emily Dibble
Humanities 1100 MW 5:30-6:50
November 16th, 2015
Civic Engagement
ASSIGNMENT:
1.

Following your activity, you will write a 600-700 word reflection on your activity. Include the
following in your reflection: What event did you choose for this activity? (Include place, date, time,
activity, etc.) With whom did you speak and what did you learn from them? What does civic
engagement mean to you? How did this assignment help you to be civically engaged? Did you enjoy
this experience? Would you do it again? Why or why not? How did it relate specifically to the course?

For the Civic Engagement Activity I decided to be involved by attending a Catholic Mass of the Saint
Andrew Parish & School in Riverton, Utah on Sunday, November 15th. The address is 11835 S 3600 W.
The Riverton Parish holds two services on Sunday Mornings. The Spanish mass is held at 8:00 a.m. and
the English mass is held at 11:00 a.m. I decided to attend the 8:00 a.m. Spanish mass which lasted until
9:15. I have never attended a Catholic mass before, so it was a new experience to me.

During the mass service I noticed a prevalence of robes worn by the priest and deacon, as well as
youth who participated in carrying symbolic emblems. I believe they wore them to represent the holiness
of their responsibility and position in the ministry. To begin the mass, one robed youth carried a pole with
a cross with Jesus Christ nailed to the cross. Two other robed youth carrying lit candles followed behind
the person grasping the pole with the cross. The pole with the cross and the candles were brought to the
front of the room while the parish members sang to a guitarist who played with his family singing on
microphones.

The mass proceeded with a man reading a program fitted for the Sunday morning service. As I
listened, I recognized verses from the Bible as well as unfamiliar versus.

Many times throughout the

service, the parish members participated in reciting verses and prayers. I took part in the standing and
kneeling with the congregation. After twenty minutes, the reverend and deacon of the parish took the
responsibility to read more from a book. My impression was that the scripture was considered holy as the
priest and deacon repeatedly pressed their lips to the words on the page. Reverend Marco gave a 20-25
minute speech on repentance and forgiveness. Throughout the speech, the congregation (and I) took
part in prayer while standing and kneeling. I did not know the prayers; however, I listened with respect.
After his speech, the ceremony of the catechism took place. Reverend Marco and Deacon Michael
performed a ritual in preparing bread and wine for the parish members to partake. After the catechism,
Reverend Marco made a few announcements and dismissed the congregation.

After the mass, I had the opportunity to speak with members of the parish and both Deacon Michael
Bulson and Reverend Marco Lopez until 9:40 a.m. I learned that Michael is from Minnesota and Marco is
from El Salvador. I had the opportunity to ask them both how their experience in their ministry has
impacted them personally. I was impressed by both their responses as they expressed their appreciation
to the Lord for seeing positive changes in the lives of individuals. I can relate to them as I have had a
similar opportunity serving as a missionary for the LDS church for two years. As I dedicated two years,
they have attempted their best to dedicate their life. I understand parts of the sacrifices required with
such commitments.

To me, civic engagement means being an active, responsible, and nonjudgmental member of society.
Everyone has their own set of beliefs; however, we still ought to try to understand the perspectives and
reasons for having sets of beliefs. I believe a good way to promote civic engagement is to participate in
unifying community events. Attending the St. Andrew mass helped me be civically engaged by reaching
out to a church congregation not of my own faith. I have attended churches not of the LDS faith before,

but never a Catholic mass. Being able to attend and interact with the leaders of St. Andrew increased my
respect for their faith and pursuit of happiness. I enjoyed the mass and I would not be opposed to
attending another in the future. There were many symbols I saw; however, I did not grasp the meaning of
a few of the practices. For example, as I learn more, I would like to understand more about the
preparation and participation of the parish members in eating the bread and drinking the wine. The best
way I can learn more is by growing friendships with Catholics in my community and asking them
questions to enlighten me more on the Catholic faith.

For me, attending the Catholic mass relates to Humanities 1100 by interacting with culture and faith of
which I do not originate from. The topic of religion is a big way many people receive their understanding
of life and determines the way they live. I have values which have been taught to me since I was a child.
Those values have shaped who I am and aided me in times of crisis in my own life. This experience
allowed me to take a step back from my own beliefs and attempt to understand the beliefs of Catholics.
The purpose of Humanities has been to look at the fish and analyze multiple perspectives. As a result
of attending the catholic mass, I still dont understand everything there is to know about Catholicism, but I
have a firmer respect for their faith.

2.

(Please relate it directly to at least one theme covered in class by using readings or other specific
materials we have covered during the course). This last question should be at least 250 words.
This activity I attended relates to the theme of Happiness and Spirituality. I have a background in
Christianity. I am familiar that the Catholic Church supports teachings in the Bible as well as other
canonical scriptures important in relaying the message of Jesus Christ and how to find happiness.
After attending the mass, many of the symbols I picked up on related to Jesus Christ. In the place of
worship, I saw crosses, bread, wine, goblets, and more symbols relating to the events in the life of

Jesus Christ. A symbol which stood out uniquely to me was of a picture of bread and fish with a
cross in the background of a green flag. Christ taught that he was the bread of life. On multiple
occasions as relayed in the bible, Christ fed thousands of starving people with a few loaves of bread
and a few fish. People who believe the teachings of Christ, believe their souls -body and spirit- are
fed as they follow His teachings.

Happiness and spirituality described through the perspective of Christianity highlights a search for
peace and understanding of life. Attending the mass, in addition to the symbols relating to happiness,
I observed an impressive number of families in attendance. With a total of 150 people in attendance,
I noticed the families had a minimum of five people at mass. Pertaining to Happiness, the role of
teaching children lies in the hands of their parents. I could see that the attendance and participation
at mass was important to the parents of the families at mass. Several of those families cordially
greeted me and welcomed me to the parish. This assignment helped me leave my comfort zone and
reach out to people with needs similar to mine.

Prompt 2: Talk about the aims and strategies that led to the completion of your assignment. How
did your thinking about it evolve over time (point to specific experiences while working on the
assignment)? How did the assignment evolve (or not evolve) with your thinking (again, point to
specific experiences) about it? What went according to plan and what surprises did you encounter?
What still needs work?

My thoughts and aims in completing this civic engagement have been to open my mind to beliefs
and faith that I am not fully familiar with. From 2013-2015 I represented the LDS faith for two years
and that experience helped me to learn more about my own faith; however, in addition, my interest in

other churches and beliefs increased as well. In preparing to attend the Saint Andrew Parish, I
researched the parish itself and learned what I could from the website. I read the weekly scriptures
recommended on the website, as well I found out the name of the priest. I wanted to show respect to
Reverend Lopez and the members of his congregation.

The morning of the mass, I imagined to my best ability how the service would be and rehearsed
out loud as if I was speaking to Reverend Lopez. I had a few nerves come upon me when I entered
the front doors to the main place of worship. When I attended, I accepted in my mind the ritual
practices and observed quietly. On a few occasions during mass, I had to pause my thoughts and
breathe slowly to allow my process of understanding to span out. I was surprised at how many times
the congregation knelt and stood during the service. I think now that it is a similitude of humility in
seeking forgiveness.

Since attending St Andrews, I feel I can learn more about the Catechism of the Catholic faith.
Many of the questions that arose in my mind were during this ritual part of the service. There were
many instruments used that I would like to learn more about. Overall, I felt the experience was
meaningful to me as I search for my happiness. As my questions arise, I feel that other faiths, as well
as the Catholic faith can add to my search for understanding and happiness.

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