A Catholic Encounter

A number of days ago, Shannon's roommate passed away.  Laurie was a senior citizen and profoundly disabled.  Her personality was well hidden and only her caregivers really knew her along with her family.  Shannon's regular comment was that she was noisy at night and woke her up.  We attended her funeral service yesterday at St. Mary Magdalene church in Brighton.  The service was lovely with a modernized version of Catholicism that I was not familiar.  The officiant even offered that there were gluten free hosts that were available for those needing them for the Communion Sacrament.  

It is a gorgeous building, circular in design with the altar in the center for all to see.  Seating that was plentiful, wrapped around the platform containing it.

The pastor is a forty-ish round guy with a full beard that was full of passion about his faith and the ritual that he was presenting.  Sadly though, little was said about the deceased with only her name plugged in at the appropriate times.  I really did not know Laurie, only saying hi and goodby on my visits to pickup and deliver Shannon to her home.  Was hoping to learn more about her earlier life.  

Visits to Catholic Churches for occasions like this always draws up ghosts of my past.  Raised in this faith,  receiving all the sacraments and having a real belief system back then served me well.  All that has faded now.  Seeing the Stations of the Cross and smelling the incense evoke more memories, most pleasant.  I used to spend the 12 to 3 hours on Good Friday enjoying the liturgy.  Coming away from this experience, feelings of upheaval are upon me.

Were I to embark back to religion, this would probably be the one. 

Now, off to the store to buy the fixings for my contribution to the New Gateway holiday pot luck

thats it

all for now