Playing Harp in St. Patrick’s Church in Waterton, MA

Doug had work to do in Waterton, so I took my Lionwood Bridget harp along. I figured I'd find someplace to play. I checked the sign in front of St. Patrick's Church, and no masses were scheduled and the door was unlocked. Since I was raised Catholic, I feel a sense of belonging. I guess I was wrong on that one. Or the spirit of the congregation in which I was raised was just a little different. Here's what happened: I'd been playing inside for about an hour when a custodian walked through the church carrying a florescent light. He glanced in my direction and went on his way. I continued playing for about another hour when I heard someone enter from outside. This person was wearing a backpack and had stopped in to pray, so I softened my volume considerably. The custodian reappeared and began working on an outlet. He stopped and said, "Does anyone know you're here?" "I don't think so," I replied. "Well...it would have been nice to ask." I pondered for a few seconds, because his vehemence caught me off guard. Then I replied honestly, "I checked the mass schedule and the door was unlocked, so I figured it would be okay to come inside." He replied, "That is for people to come in to pray, not to play music." Again, I hesitated. Still perplexed by his anger I said, "For me, music has always been a form of prayer." "Well I find it very distracting." At that point, the person wearing the backpack left. I don't think the custodian was even aware he had been there. I quietly packed up my harp and left. What a weird experience...playing a harp in St. Patrick's Church.