Rocky took the weekend off and we day tripped both days. On Saturday we went to Richmond and after the touring and shopping we attended the vigil Mass at
St. Mary's. It was very strange. There is no sign out front and nothing to indicate that you've walked up to a Catholic church. It looks like a cross between the Mormon visitor center in Maryland and St. Bede's in Williamsburg with a large lobby. The decor is a an unsusual but striking fantasy blend of Celtic and art deco.
On one side of the building is a beautiful light filled chapel and on the other is a small adoration chapel. They have a lovely statue of Mary but it's hidden away near the restrooms and there is no image of her in the santuary area. The main church has stadium seating and no kneelers. We couldn't find the Blessed Sacrament and eventually we guessed that Our Lord remains in the chapel.The homily was very good but the whole experience felt like a trip to an Episcopalian church instead of a Catholic one.
On Sunday we went to Southern Maryland. We drove to Point Lookout and enjoyed the water and birds, including two bald eagle sightings. We visited
St. Michael's church in Ridge, MD. It's a doll house sized little church with one of the most moving adoration chapel's I've ever seen. After the disappointing St. Mary's, St. Michael's was a palate cleanser.
