It's a worthwhile thing, every now and again, to visit a new church, particularly one quite different from your own. It points out the strengths and weaknesses of your own and other churches. It also makes blindingly obvious the things that are strange and difficult to follow for outsiders. Is it worth explaining every week why we pray, or sing, or participate in communion? How clear should we be about certain rituals, that we do out of habit while a new church-goer is confused and uncertain? Do we stand to sing? Kneel or close our eyes to pray?
I actually found the mass reasonably easy to follow. This surprised me because I had expected a lot of strange ritual and things I didn't understand. Maybe it was easier to understand because it was a special mass, which even semi-regular and lapsed Catholics, and even the non-religious might attend. Maybe my keen Catholic friend sitting next to me and whispering hints into my ear helped me out. There was also an order of service printed nice and large and laminated in all the rows, although I didn't get my hands in this till the end. Still it was quite well done.
They did a few other things well. The two times that we interacted directly with the priest (the Ash bit and the holy communion) were done with tremendous efficiency. We all lined up, ash on head/bit of host and wine, then went back to our seats. It was much faster than any other communion service I've been involved in, although less communityish and more individual servicy.
The building was less ostentatious, with fewer stained-glass windows and statues, than I had expected. It was far less decorated than most of the Anglican churches I have been in. Also, the priests were pretty relaxed, making sure they were shouting loud enough for the people at the back and assuring us that it wouldn't take to long, just like in lots of church services and professional presentations.
It was not without its weaknesses though. If I hadn't been with my friend, I would have missed out on important things. Apparently I'm not supposed to take communion if I haven't done the confirmation course and had my first holy communion. I can still go up to the priest, but I cross my arms over my chest and he blesses me instead. That was nice, in its way, but I think it would be helpful to clarify beforehand otherwise I might have eaten some cardboard and sipped some port unaware of the evil I was perpetrating. I suspect I still made a fool of myself though, because when he blessed me I said "thankyou" instead of "amen." It made more sense at the time.
