For the first time in 7 years, we attended the Easter Vigil in our own parish. For 4 years, we went to Stephen’s high school for Mass. He was playing the organ and in the choir in high school. Then we attended Mass at the seminary the following 2 years and last year, with Steve in D.C. we decided to go back to the high school again. The Easter Vigil at the high school and the seminary are different. It seems more intimate, smaller. And of course there was Father with his “super soaker” when he’d drench, uh… I mean bless the congregation with Holy Water. Seriously – one year one of the seminarians followed behind him with a mop.
It was nice being back in our own parish, although there were things we missed about not being at either the high school chapel or the seminary. In a way, it seemed strange being in our parish Church. Steve was serving for the first time in years, rather than playing the organ. Our guest for the weekend, Luta, also served and somehow his name seemed to morph into Luther. Luta is originally from Uganda and now lives in Spokane Washington, but he’s studying with Stephen in D.C.
I like the Easter Vigil. I like how the Church starts out dark and then is lit up by the candles. I like all the singing. I like the baptisms & confirmations. It’s just so cool. The only part I found annoying was when a certain friend of mine ducked out of Church the second Mass was over so I didn’t get to talk to her or her daughters. I will, of course, have to give her a hard time about that.
I did get to talk with other friends, so that was good. I wish they had a little reception thing afterwards like they do at the high school and at the seminary so we could have hung out a bit and socialized. But maybe most people just want to get home after being in Church for almost 3 hours.
Ah, well, guess it’s time for bed. In 15 hours we’re due over dad’s with dessert, which, of course, will include something chocolate for my nephew.
Happy Easter, everyone!
