Back to Mass

 Not only do they queue out the door for the Eucharist, they queue up to get in! I got there just as the bells were ringing and my 'best seat in the house' is now routinely taken. I went further the front, only two rows back. What an absolutely packed church. Can't believe it still. Not all old ladies either, or Eastern Europeans either, there's modern young people from all over. 

So many children, carrying candlesticks and doing a noticeboard. Its lovely. I just love that church. Talk about a secret club. 

The priest notices me you know, one can sense him taking note of my presence. 

Last time I was there, when they said Father Patrick was leaving, I heard some hinterland chatter that he would never be replaced, its impossible and we'd all been so lucky and isn't it a shame and things were getting a bit doom gloomy so I distanced myself from the talk. I'm not interested in the ins and outs of the committee etc. But it did make me think, what a shame. 

The three of them were good together. Then today out of nowhere, bang, there's another. I can't remember his name now but he's obviously the new Father Patrick. 

Another thing one couldn't help but notice sitting is near the front, is just how many people really are in there. 

I need to learn some of the words but it feels forced and not genuine (although I haven't yet tried). I'm  sure this will be covered in my Sunday School on a Monday School which is starting next week on the 17th. So looking forward to it. Father Eddy said I can bring my daughter if I like. Which I will because I notice now she's become a teenager, the drifting-off attention-wise has become more apparent. 

So this is an exercise for her in self conduction. And who knows she may learn something.. 

We watched the first Sycamore film together. Only 20 minutes. Give it a go with a loved one. 





Answers
1. Nothing
2. There's no such thing as being too busy
3. Please don't 
4. Can't remember 


Answers
1. Fulfilment, power, affection
2. Have a meal - kill my ex boyfriend
3. Can't remember 

So that was that. Next Monday I'm pilgrimaging to see the relics of St Bernadette as well. Two hours on the train, two hours back, a fifteen minute slot. Has to be done. Particularly after having spent 2hours 40 mins watching the film. Maybe I'll go to Lourdes one day too. I hope so and Rome. 

One huge plus about Catholicism is that there's no huge rush. Its really calmed me down. Its a proper break from life and although it's a parallel universe, it's one people believe in. 

On top of this, I've got my online guided prayer. Starting tomorrow. I can't wait. Did me so much good last time. The lady is called Veronica. My Auntie was called Veronica. 

It reminds me of a wonderful song by Elvis Costello, here's the words. I'm sure he won't mind me sharing. If you listen to it, you wouldn't make out a letter of it. But its such a sensitive song. He's a sensitive boy that Costello fellow. Evidently. 

The video begins of him talking about the lady in the carehome, how one minute she was talking about now, the next it was the past. "so we used to sort of sit there, and dance around the years". I couldn't even bring myself to watch it as write this, it moves me so much. 

Is it all in that pretty little head of yours?What goes on in that place in the dark?Well, I used to know a girl and I could have swornThat her name was Veronica
Oh well, she used to have a carefree mind of her ownAnd a delicate look in her eyeThese days I'm afraid she's not even sureIf her name is Veronica
Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyesVeronica has gone to hide?And all the time she laughs at those Who shout her name and steal her clothesVeronicaVeronicaVeronica (veronica)
Do the days drag by? Did the favors wane?Did he roam down the town all the while?Will you wake from your dream with a wolf at the doorReaching out for Veronica
Well, it was all of sixty-five years agoWhen the world was the street where she livedAnd a young man sailed on a ship in the seaWith a picture of Veronica
On the Empress of IndiaAnd as she closed her eyes upon the worldAnd picked upon the bones of last week's newsShe spoke his name out loud again
Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyesVeronica has gone to hide?And all the time she laughs at those Who shout her name and steal her clothesVeronicaVeronicaVeronica (veronica)
Veronica sits in her favorite chairShe sits very quiet and stillAnd they call her a name that they never get rightAnd if they don't then nobody else will
But she used to have a carefree mind of her ownWith a devilish look in her eyeSaying, "You can call me anything you likeBut my name is Veronica"
Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyesVeronica has gone to hide?And all the time she laughs at those Who shout her name and steal her clothesVeronicaVeronicaOh (oh) Veronica
Now try listening to it, its really catchy melody wise but simply doesn't fit the words. I think he did that deliberately. Didn't want anyone thinking he was a ninny. 

I looked after my Nan with dementia for eight years as I say. There is a bit of 'V' theme going on in my family. 
My Nan was Vera, my mum Vivien, and Veronica had a daughter called Verity and younger one Lauren. Then I went on to have Victoria. Or Tori, Tor Tor as I call her. 

Its not all bad every day. Bless you and thank you for reading. 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My confirmation

Image
 Holy Saturday, what a day. What a service. My lass came with two of her friends and Nick who was inappropriately loud and set them in to a giggling fit. It was Stickers I felt sorry for, those three, all those candles, paper, long hair. What a pressure cooker.  The Deacon, John Wilford sang a huge great big long and tuneful solo. There was candlelight all around, it was wonderful.  There were five of us, from the class, and we lined up. Noel was my sponsor, he does the bingo calling, told me a) I'd never have to worry about anything ever again and b) it took him 46 years to convert and he'd been attending the Catholic Church all that time!  I was in charge of carrying the wine and Anna put it in my hand and said, 'not too quickly' so I slowly walked down what I can only describe as the aisle - Father Eddy was ahead of me, almost as if on a ship, I could see everyone behind him, it was wonderful and all in candlelight, it really was a special moment that.  Here'...
Read more

What the Hell is Heaven?

This has been briefly and very well touched on in the RCIA group i.e. 'Church school'. I have a way of explaining it, almost like we become a version of the Holy Spirit, apparently we will have a glorious body but of course, there will be no time. This is the thing that can be difficult to grasp. There is no time.  Was there ever? I know in the Bible, when it talked of hurling Satan out of Heaven and all his angels down with him, they do bad things knowing they don't have much time.  Not been writing much, lots of work, not all of it good, still constantly reevaluating my life, not getting to daily mass. Will have more time now.  Its a curious thing that the harder life gets, the closer one is to God. Even those that profess to be of no faith have no problem calling to the heavens in a time of need. I think that's a good thing.  I'm thinking a lot about ministry work. I don't think I can because I'm a girl. Also, the best way to bring people near to God is j...
Read more

Oh yeah the election

 I’d quite forgotten about that.What a wipeout. Where I am, we have been facing the threat of the unitary authority and so bizarrely authorities started teaming up with their neighbours, thus hastening it. Anyway there was all sorts of talk and a lot of the district leaders joined the County Council and then on that fateful first Thursday in May three heads rolled. Three leader's seats gone. 
Read more