What Makes Vienna's English-speaking Catholic Community So Special?
By Michelle Camarata
Vienna is home to many of the most beautiful churches in the world, one of which is the Votive church where Vienna's English Speaking Catholic Community join together in prayer every Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. Vienna's English Speaking Catholic Community has been celebrating mass together for many years.
Before the community settled in the Votive church it had its "home" in the Boltzmanngasse church. The interior of this church is also very impressive. It is, however, smaller than the Votive Church and many people were forced to stand during mass due to the lack of seats. This Church however, had advantages such as easier heating and many members of the community share lasting memories at this church. I for example had my first communion there, and felt proud of myself receiving communion in front of the packed Church.
However due to the rapid growth of the community and the number of its members, it was decided to move to the Votive church. This church is very accessible by public transportation as well as by car and it is, spacious and can fully accommodate the community.
Unity in diversity
The reason why Vienna's English-speaking Catholic Community is so special is because it is made up of a multicultural group of people from all over the world who join together every Sunday to celebrate mass and praise the Lord. This differs to other Churches in Vienna such as the German speaking churches that are made up generally of Austrians as well as other international Churches that tend to be made up of mostly one nation such as the Polish Catholic Community, the Philippine Catholic Community and others.
In our community all nations are united together in faith and are able to interact with one another and share each other's cultures and experiences. I think that this community gives foreigners strength and comfort and a place they can belong to as it is often difficult being a foreigner in a country especially for individuals with no family or friends to turn to. I was born in Vienna 15 years ago, however my parents are both foreigners. My Dad is from the USA and has been working in the UN since 1981 where he met my mother who is from the Philippines. We come to this church because my parents like to be with English speaking people who share the same faith and belief.
Meaningful church services
Mass celebrated by the parish priest helps the community grow in faith. Guest priests who travel from all over the world to join in mass are also very interesting and give intriguing lectures that enlighten the community and make them reflect upon their beliefs and faith.
The church choir is another essential part of the community that livens up mass and encourages the community to join together and sing to the Lord in praise and thanks. The modern songs that are chosen from the hymnals make singing an enjoyable part of mass for young and old.
Our community also offers Religious Education programs in the American International School as well as the Vienna International School. This is important as we rely on the youth to pass on our Christian faith onto the generations to come. Knowledgeable teachers that explain and share the word of God, teach the children how the religion is practiced. The children learn about mass and about the bible and these classes give them opportunity to interact with others who have the same beliefs.
Religious Education also includes Sacramental preparation, and preparation for confirmation. I went to religious education classes in the Vienna International School. Confirmation Preparation Classes are held separately from the regular religious education classes. These classes ensure that the confirmation candidates learn everything about Christianity so that they are fully prepared for their decision on becoming adult members of the church. The confirmation classes give the youth a chance to interact with other people of the same age from other schools as it is held outside school and is open to all students who wish to participate.
On the 18 of May I had my confirmation. It was a great day and I felt I did something fulfilling. It was like normal mass except that all the candidates had to state publicly that they believe in the faith of the Church. We were also blessed and we were allowed to choose a name of a saint for our Confirmation name. I chose the name Tatiana.
A sense of belonging
The English-speaking Catholic Community as well organizes various retreats and pilgrimages. I have attended a number of retreats and have enjoyed them a lot. I thought they were educational and helped me learn more about God, myself, and my relationship with Christ and my fellow Christians. I as well enjoyed them a lot because I was able to associate with people of the same age from various different schools in Vienna. Priests that travel from all over the world host these retreats. I have attended retreats with priests from all over the United States and India. These retreats vary in length and are organized for young and old.
The English speaking catholic community offers many opportunities to take part in community service activities. Feasts and gatherings, such as coffees and potlucks, are organized to encourage interaction within the community. I particularly like the picnic organized for members leaving our community.
The Harvest Festival is a get together for the church community as well as friends and relatives. Everyone is welcome. There are food and drinks as well as fundraising activities such as tombolas and various other performances. I helped organize a disco and I have previously also helped with the ornament painting for little children. I enjoyed helping with this event very much and I was pleased to see the children's amused faces.
Reaching out to others
Activities are also organized by members of the community to bring joy and happiness to sick people and to people who are less fortunate, especially during seasons of the year such as Christmas and Easter.
In one year I participated in a Christmas party for a home for retarded and handicapped children. We brought food for them and organized games and sang songs with them. I enjoyed it a lot, although I felt quite sorry for them because they had no loving parents to care for them and they are the children who need that love the most. It was fun entertaining them and they seemed to enjoy our company very much. They were all so innocent and it was nice to see how they could so easily be pleased when most people today require material goods to make them happy.
In another year I helped organize a Christmas Party in the 'Haus der Barmherzigkeit' initiated by the members of the community. This house is for elderly, physically disabled and mentally handicapped people. Short letters were written by the handicapped stating what they wished to receive as a gift for Christmas. These were hung on a miniature Christmas tree and the members of the Church Community that wished to help brought these letters home and donated the gift wishes. Many people were very generous and contributed well to these Christmas gift donations. In addition to the Christmas presents donated, food, drinks and Christmas music were provided and the members of the community organized a little concert for them where popular Christmas songs were sung with various instruments. We weren't professional singers but we wanted to liven up the Christmas spirit for these unfortunate people. The party was a great success it was fun entertaining the people in the Haus der Barmherzigkeit. It was a great day and they seemed to enjoy our company very much.
During Easter time some years back, members of the community and I, organized and Easter Party for the Children in the 'St. Anna Kinder Spital'. A professional magician came and performed for the children. The children enjoyed his performance very much and even I was quite fascinated by some of his tricks. After this we handed out treats such as Easter chocolates and sweets to the children. The sick children enjoyed this day a lot because it was different to the every day hospital life.
The English Speaking Community also encourages the people to participate in mass every Sunday. Altar serving can be done by anyone who has completed his or her first communion. People can as well help during collection, and take part in various other activities during mass.
Going to church and being part of Vienna's English-speaking Catholic Community does not only strengthen your relationship to God, it also gives you a chance to interact with people from all over the world. The more involved you get in the community and its activities the more enjoyable your experiences in the community will be.
