that awkward, silly, sweet moment: adventures in Church going

There really is never a dull moment...

• 3 year old parishioner Maria, taking Father's hand and saying "God, let's go see the Christmas lights..."

• Baby girl's catechism prize, a pink bouncey ball stating 'Jesus loves you' rolling to the feet of the acolytes at the end of the Divine Liturgy

• Boy's first day at the altar, standing next to the liturgical book, blowing the pages and making Father lose his place

• Girl singing at the cantor-free 6:30 Roman-rite Mass, forgetting the melody to "Gift of Finest Wheat" so she gave up after improvising the first verse and changed it up to some Beethoven.

• Other Girl cantoring a Divine Liturgy in Romanian with just a smattering of English being one of the final parts "Let our mouths be filled with your praise, Oh Lord....' Girl draws a blank on a melody she has sung at least weekly for over ten years. She improvises. Many people ask her at the end of the Liturgy- we love that new tune; can you sing it again for us?' Um, no. 

• at the hospital, doing sacramental minstry- someone says to him,  "Thank goodness you aren't that married bozo I heard they have here." Then, the person looks down at his ring finger. Oops.

• at the clergy appreciation night for the Knights of Columbus council where Father is their chaplain or 'faithful friar,' everyone was invited to clap for the priests, the deacons, the brothers, the seminarians, the sisters, the deacons wives while the groups stood up to be acknowledged...I did not stand up. I'm stubborn that way. Father decided to mention me before his final prayer. The lady seated next to me, knowing that Father is married, was surprised that I was the wife. I thought it was clear; our wedding bands are the same and I gave him coffee the way he takes it without asking.
  

and then there was the time when some flowers were set on fire by misplaced candles....and that time that Boy sat on the bishop's throne....and that time when we had to cantor our own wedding...and do not even ask who babysat girl #1 while we were having girl #2 (51 weeks apart)...you wouldn't believe it if I could tell you...