SILENCE IS GOLDEN (AT LEAST SOMETIMES)

I would be terribly remiss if I didn't mention that last Friday the "clan" gathered at Mo's Pizza for delicious food and delightful conversation. It was especially nice because we met Aunt Bev and Uncle Mickey there, along with their grandson, Anthony. Since M&B have moved to Colorado we see them so seldom that it is a huge treat when we are able to get together. They are such a part of the family, I think we should plan a family "road trip" out to Colorado to visit!

Uncle Mick, who is also a deacon, is now assigned to Christ On The Mountain Parish, a parish with apparently loose ties to Rome and the Latin Church. I noticed, in reading their bulletin that at Our Lady of the Benches, I mean Christ On The Mountain, it is more important to be social and chatty than to be reverently and prayerfully predisposed to participate in the sacred liturgy of the Mass. They even point out that although the GIRM explains the need for, and reasoning behind, silence before Mass, the "unique social nature" of their parish shouldn't be changed, so the parishioners should try to hold it to a "quiet hum" (as opposed to a "dull roar") out of respect for those who actually DO want to prepare themselves spritually and mentally for the liturgy! Priorities, people!

God Bless Uncle Mick!! I wouldn't last there a month! Part of the attraction of the Catholic Church for me (aside from its being the church founded by Christ, the church to which He gave His real Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist) is the beauty, reverence, and spiritually inspirational aspects of the sacred liturgies.

All that being said, I am outta here! Peace!!!