Part of our coursework is to keep a field journal recording observations of our visits to refugee centers in detail, and reflecting on our personal experience.\u00a0 Thus, please forgive my over- or under-reporting of events, since I am essentially keeping two different journals with two different purposes and intended audiences.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, we attended Catholic mass at the Jesuit Community Chapel near the University of Malta.\u00a0 This was quite different than the Papal Mass we attended on New Years’ Day in Rome.\u00a0 There were approximately 35 people in attendance, mostly originally from Nigeria.\u00a0 We soon made friends with the children in attendance, even having the opportunity to hold and pass around several adorable babies.\u00a0 We were surprised at how the mothers did not seem at all anxious or worried that their babies were being passed around by complete strangers for quite a long time.\u00a0 During the mass, there was a lot of singing, and at the end one man even got out a drum and everyone was clapping and swaying back and forth.\u00a0 After the mass, we headed downstairs to the “reception” of sorts, where tea, coffee, and sweets were offered.\u00a0 Everyone went around the room and introduced themselves and their country of origin.\u00a0 Then, to our complete surprise, one of the leaders of the group stood in the center of the room and asked all of the newcomers to stand up one by one.\u00a0 A sort of friendly interview then took place, where he would ask a series of questions such as “what is your favorite food,” “what is your hobby,” “what is your favorite color,” etc.\u00a0 He was very playful and would repeat the answers to his “audience” over his shoulder or make jokes about the responses.\u00a0 Though I was nervous about being put on the spot in such a way amidst a room full of strangers, the process was very welcoming and by the end we felt like part of the community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Part of our coursework is to keep a field journal recording observations of our visits to refugee centers in detail, and reflecting on our personal experience.\u00a0 Thus, please forgive my over- or under-reporting of events, since I am essentially keeping two different journals with two different purposes and intended audiences. On Sunday, we attended Catholic … <\/p>\n