Travellers’ Tales - Dubai by James and Ali Barry

Two of our parishioners, James and Ali Barry, went on holiday to Dubai and - together with accompanying photographs - here is their account of the church where they attended Mass:

St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Dubai is situated alongside Holy Trinity C of E Church on Oud Metha Road, one of the main routes running alongside the Creek in Dubai. Contrary to the popular belief that other religions are not tolerated in Muslim countries, these two parishes are thriving concerns along with many other parishes throughout the Middle East. We have been delighted to attend Holy Mass at St Mary’s on a number of occasions – the most recent being in the middle of September.

The parish is served by Capuchin Fathers from the Province of Tuscany and Comboni Sisters. Holy Mass is celebrated every day in a variety of languages (English, French, Arabic, Malayalam, Tagalog, Singhalese, Tamil and Urdu). The church takes about 1200 but the 5pm Mass on Saturday only attracted 800 – Europeans, Americans, Sri Lankans, Indians, Philipinos, Tamils and Arabs. We are told that at Christmas even the courtyard outside the church is full to capacity at the midnight Mass.

The singing at Mass is led by a mixed choir of adults and children under the direction of a choirmistress who brooks no slacking – she also drills the readers – all schoolchildren – who read without a trace of nervousness. Responses to the Psalms are firmly announced with “Response Please” and we, accustomed to responding automatically, frequently chirped up before the request was made! The Sign of Peace is given in a number of ways, the most popular being the Indian ‘Namaste’.

It has been an enormous pleasure to be a part of such a Catholic congregation all united with one purpose and marvellous to realise that one can go on holiday to far-flung parts of the world and still be joined with others in one faith – yes – and our home parish was with us as well in the 38 degree heat!!

The accompanying photographs show several views of the church (including the bell presented by His Highness Sheikh Makhtoum the Ruler of Dubai), a newly married couple leaving the church after their wedding, the entrance to the convent and a grotto dedicated to Our Lady.

James and Ali Barry