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1st class treatment

6 Jun

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On the flight from Cincinnati to Paris I got bumped up to first class. They treated me like I paid for the seat and the service. I told the flight attendant that it was like I died and went to heaven. When she gave me the cheesecake a la creme brûlée dessert that I had chosen, to which she had added a drizzle of chocolate, with a side strawberry and a dollop of whipped cream, she said, “Now you’ve died and gone to heaven.” God is always so good to me, even though and, it seems especially so, when I do not deserve it.

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we’re moving in

5 Oct

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The “new” floor is done. The “new” pews are in place. The last thing to return home were the “new” kneelers.

We are moving back in. We are coming home.

The first oohs and aahs will be heard late on Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon when we arrive for the first Mass of the weekend.

Homecoming is this weekend: October 6-7.

The homecoming king is already known: Christ the King. He has named his mother Mary as Queen.

It should be quite the homecoming celebration!

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Salve Regina

4 Oct

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One of the glorious moments of my pilgrimage was chanting the “Salve Regina” at the end of our final Mass at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. “Hail, holy Queen ….”

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bird’s eye view

4 Oct

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The removal of 90 years of dirt and wax has revealed extraordinary patterns in the elm seats of our pews. The woodworkers call this one a “bird’s eye.” Can you see the bird’s eye? Be the first one to spot it in your pew this weekend.

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don’t try this at home

4 Oct

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All will be ready for our “coming home” this coming weekend. The “new” old pews and kneelers are almost ready to receive you and to help you pray.

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one last ad te suspiramus

26 Sep

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At the end of compline (night prayer) at the seminary we used to sing, with all those male voices, the Salve Regina. At the end of Mass at Notre Dame I stood with the bishops and the priests at the edge of the sanctuary for the singing of that Latin “Hail, holy Queen.” It was a lovely way to bring our/my pilgrimage to the Marian shrines to a close.

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almost spent the night

26 Sep

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After Mass I walked around to get some photos of the Notre Dame. The Archbishop eventually make looking for me. We got ourselves locked in a courtyard as we tried to get out of the cathedral, so may doors and gates they had locked by the time I was ready to leave. But it was worth it to get this photo, right before they turned off all the lights.

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but they made beautiful music

26 Sep

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The children’s choir were at the Mass at Notre-Dame cathedral the Sunday evening on which we attended Mass. They were at times as wiggly and squirmy as our kids in our choir, but they did make some lovely music.

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for the Kyrie

26 Sep

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The French priest seated next to me in the sanctuary of Notre Dame motioned to me at the beginning of the “Kyrie” to turn to the right. It is the tradition that all face toward the statue of the Pieta for the singing of the ” Lord, have mercy.” Notice how Father Jan elbowed his way into my photo.

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no, not South Bend

26 Sep

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Amazing t think that I actually saw the cathedral of Notre Dame du Paris. Our pilgrimage ended with Mass at the internationally known cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Paris.

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