My Beautiful Church

On Easter Sunday at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community there were many white lilies throughout the church. Lilies are symbolic of joy, hope and life and represent a time for rejoicing and celebrating. In searching the Internet I found a legend I had never heard. Lilies began with the teardrops that Eve shed as she left the garden of Eden. I found out lilies also represent a new season and a new birth. They also represent Christ's resurrection. Very appropriate for Easter.

It is interesting that the beautiful flower is toxic to cats and by eating any part of the lily plan they can get kidney failure and die.

A few days after Easter I stood at the entrance of the church and couldn't help think how I enjoy attending functions at this church.

 Outside the trees are blooming in pink and white and there is peaceful feeling surrounding the area.

I also know it is not the beauty of the flowers that makes this church special. The people make this church a loving home for many of us. Friendships abound and it appears that there are no strangers. Everyone is welcome with a smile. Our two priests are not only good-looking but wonderful faith leaders. Yes, I love my beautiful church!

CHURCH:

WHERE WORSHIP LIFTS US

THE WORD CHALLENGES US

THE HOLY SPIRIT IMPACTS US

AND THE FELLOWSHIP ENCOURAGES US!

Brian Charles Houston

The Princess and the Pea

What I remember is a fairy tale to find out if the young girl was a princess. A pea was placed on the bed and then many mattresses were stacked over it. When the young girl woke up, she complained that something like a rock had bothered her all night. This proved that she was a princess because of her sensitivity to the pea.

I am one hundred percent positive that there is no royalty blood in my veins. Last night I slept comfortably all night long. When I got up I was surprised to find the television remote control underneath me. Never felt a thing! Which proves that I do not have the sensitivity of a princess!

"Each night when I go to sleep,

I die. And the next morning, 

when I wake up, I'm reborn."

Gandhi

Easter 2019

Since I had a practice run yesterday to get to mass, today was easier for me. The morning was
perfect; blue sky, orange sun rise, white moon on western sky, green trees, and snow covered mountains. As I drove I sang, "Oh what a beautiful morning."  The church was beginning to fill up when I arrived and every where I looked were large pots of white lilies.

Waiting for mass to begin I looked around the church,  and realized that I am a visual person. I like statues and pictures to help me meditate. Spirit of Christ Catholic Community has neither and I found it strange that I had never noticed it before. The choir had one man singing along with the pianist and a drummer. Of course, the piano player has an operatic type voice and the three men made beautiful music together. Why is a large choir needed?  I thought.

How peaceful I felt. No matter what doubts I may have about my religion, I know with all my heart  that I could not have made it without God's help!

After mass a friend and I went to eat breakfast and the weather was still mellow. I came home to prepare a mousse to take to another friend's home and I noticed it suddenly got dark outside. Then I heard the rain drumming on my roof. By the time I arrived where the dinner would take place, the weather was beginning to warm up and the sun was trying to poke its face through the clouds.

The family consisting of twenty persons were already munching on a table full of snacks. Italian sausage, salami slices, four layer dip, cheese, deviled eggs, chips and donut like Italian bread. Some of us sat around the table and chatted, others were in the living room watching a game and some were outside on the patio. I feel so at home with the family and one person commented, "You are family."
I feel fortunate to be adopted by this family! I even had a glass of wine and did not wheeze because it did not have any sulfates!

The main course was meatball/sausage in sauce, ham, funeral potatoes, stuffed pasta, salad, and rolls. Everything was delicious and then out came the desserts.  Fruit salad, jello-coconut salad, pumpkin mousse, cupcakes, cheese cake with blueberries on top, Italian cookies and birthday cake. Four people celebrated birthdays!

What can I say....I am stuffed. It is almost nine o'clock and I will not eat anything more today!

"Easter is the time to rejoice

and be thankful for the gift

of life, love and joy.

Have a Blessed Day."

Internet Quote

Ready For Easter

Many of my friends compare notes about aging and we all seem to have the same or similar problems.  This morning I woke up at 6:10 in the morning. Instantly, I knew I was late. My plan was to go to the seven o'clock mass on Easter Sunday. I jumped out of bed like I was twenty years old, took a three minute shower, got dressed, splashed some makeup on, and out the door at 6:40 a.m.

Knowing that Easter mass is always crowded, I kicked myself for not setting my alarm. I would probably need to stand through the whole mass but at least I was going to be at the seven o'clock mass.  I was meeting a friend and after mass we were going out for breakfast. I had told her I would save a spot for her. There weren't too many cars on the road and I made every green light. I turned into the parking lot and was greeted with an empty lot; not a one car could be seen. I tried to rationalize that maybe the mass would be at 7:30 though that didn't make sense because another mass would begin at 8:30.

I looked at my watch, maybe I had looked at it wrong and I was an hour early.  Nope, my watch was almost hitting seven o'clock.  Why didn't I check the bulletin? Luckily I did not call my friend, though I felt like calling and asking why there was no seven o'clock mass.

Leaving the empty lot I started back home, puzzled at how I could have made such a blunder. Then, like a butterfly landing on my brain I knew instantly what was wrong. It was Saturday and not Sunday! Now, the very thought that I would confuse the days is both confusing and worrisome. How could I have thought it was Sunday? And why couldn't I have figured it out sooner? Maybe because I had been to church two days in a row and my brain thought this could be a trifecta!

In a way it was funny but the words dementia, Alzheimer's, old age, forgetfulness, stupid, etc. passed through my brain. Whatever it was, I will never know; just a case of a mistaken identity day!

Sunday morning.

Opened my eyes,

clock says I'm late, 

Jump out of bed,

rush to get ready

 make it to an

empty parking lot 

to find out it is

Saturday, not Sunday!

Holy Week

On Holy Thursday, Spirit of Christ Catholic Community had every pew full. Holy mass began at seven in the evening. Every year this is an  important day as Catholics near the culmination of Lent. The priests are dressed in white garments, renew their vows of priesthood and bless the holy oils. The three sacred oils are in glass decanters and are the Oil of the Catechumens, the Chrism and Oil of the Sick. The oils will then be used in baptisms, holy orders, confirmation, and anointing of the sick. The mass is then celebrated. I enjoyed seeing the two priests con-celebrating the mass. The washing of the feet also takes place on Thursday and this year there were many children, ages 5-7, getting their feet washed. I thought it was the priests' choice because it is easier to wash a child's foot than an old persons gnarled foot! A friend told me that the Pope had made it okay to wash women's feet and children's feet. Evidently, in the past, it was only men who had their feet washed. One exciting and beautiful moment was when the ringing of the bells took place with parishioners ringing bells.  The bringing of the gifts amazed me because the front of the altar was filled with boxes and bags. My gift of toothpaste and toothbrushes seemed small compare to what other people carried and placed on the altar.

As mass ended, the Blessed Sacrament was carried to the chapel through an alley-way of people holding candles. The silence as the people headed to the chapel or were leaving the church was surprising because usually people chat on their way out. Silence, in respect of Holy Thursday, was quite moving.

"As he bathes our feet

and feeds us with his

self, he simply asks,

will you let me love you?"

Unknown Quote

Good Friday is a day of prayer and being at church. It is the day that Christ died and as one priest said, "If you are at school or at work, you should take the day off and come to church on Good Friday." The church was once again full and the priests and deacons were in red and white vestments.  Two priests and two deacons prostrated themselves at the front of the altar for a few minutes and then the Passion of Christ was read by a few people. Hearing many voices say, "Crucify him, crucify him." is a moment that sends chills down one's back.  The homily began with "Bless me Father." Many topics were mentioned; abortion, priest abuse, government misconduct, and other subjects and they all began with "Bless me Father." When the priest sang "Where you there when they crucified my lord," I was filled with sadness.

Veneration of the cross began. Everyone in the church quietly and solemnly approached the cross and touched or kissed it. Some were barefooted. Communion for most people, yet I noticed a few who crossed their arms for a blessing. I wondered if maybe I should have done the same! After all, I haven't been to confession in a long time!

How I wish I had a stronger faith and that I believed without question but I will continue to pray that my eyes will be opened. After all, Mother Teresa was torn by feeling a stronger need in knowing that God was present, so if she asked for help, so will I!

"On this Good Friday

may we never forget

the true meaning of 

Easter. For when he

was on the cross, I

was on his mind."

The Fresh Quotes

Note: A couple of the photos are from past years because this year I did not have my camera.

Volunteering

For the past four years I have volunteered at the 9 Health Fair when it is held at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada. Arriving between six and seven in the morning, we are treated to a breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, fruit, oatmeal, burritos, juice and peanut butter. After eating and socializing the volunteers head for their stations.

The first two years I held the title of  "Ambassador" and went around replacing people who needed a break, directing people to the different stations, and answering questions. Another friend told me that an Ambassador is someone who "tells the people where to go!" When I was an Ambassador I was given a blue t-shirt with the logo of the fair.

This year I did not get a t-shirt but I did see many volunteers wearing red t-shirts.  Last year, someone did not show up in the Diabetic area and I was asked to work in the area. I thought it was Karma that I ended up in that department because for a few years I have been fighting my doctor; he says I am diabetic and I say I am not. Though, I do try to stay away from carbs, sugar and by eating high fiber food. I also know that exercise is important yet I slack off on exercising!

My job yesterday was to find out if people were high risk of being diabetic and I was surprised that of the twenty persons who took the test, seventeen were high risk. Age, being a man, close relatives that had diabetes, and weight are factors that can contribute to the disease. After the people finished with me I sent them over to speak with a dietitian or a retired nurse. I enjoy speaking with people and can get into interesting conversations and that helps the time pass quickly. At one point, someone entered the room and asked, "Does anybody here speak Spanish?" I let the volunteer know that I did and I followed her to the registration area. It made me feel good to help the lady who could not speak  English.

Around noon when we closed up shop we were treated to lunch of cheese, ham, fruit, sandwiches, chips, miniature candy bars and apple or orange juice. This year it did not seem as busy as past years and there were gaps between people entering the room and I kept thinking I should have taken a book to read! I will remember that for next year.

"Being healthy and fit

isn't a fad or trend,

it's a life style."

Internet Quote

Sin Street Social Club

Some of the Young At Heart group of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community attended a play at the Arvada Center on April 7, 2019. We wondered what kind of play it would be with a name like Sin Street Social Club. The beginning has a nun praying so I thought, it can't be too bad! It had some risqué parts but most of it was crazy and fun. Most of the "naughty" parts were left to our imagination, though words like whore, prostitute, cad, syphilis and sex were used! In a brochure about the play I found this paragraph: Many characters throughout the play engage in debauchery, drunkenness and are quite open with their sexuality, some using it as their business. There is a spectrum of uncouth behavior in the play...

I enjoyed the play and found myself laughing in certain parts, yet, as I looked at some of the faces in the audience it did not look as if they were appreciating the play. It is a comedy of love and sex and I was surprised to learn that a play, The Rover, had been written by a women named Aphra Behn in 1677. The modern day writer, Jessica Austgen, moved the story to 1916 and Mardi Gras and named it Sin Street Social Club.

The Black Box Theater is a three-sided auditorium and the characters make sure that they face and speak to all three sides of the room. I would think that it is more difficult than having to act on a stage facing the front.

I was able to get a few of the persons in our group together for a picture, though many escaped and are not in the picture. Out of  the fifty persons from our group that attended the play. The ones pictured below will make it into my blog!

At The End Of A String

Every year, for the past seventeen years, Arvada has held a Kite Festival. I remember it being held in a small park, then it moved to a larger area and for the past few years it has been held at Stenger Soccer Fields. The space works well but the parking is terrible. This year I arrived about an hour after the gates opened and already there was no place to park. I managed to squeeze in between a trash can and a porta-potty and was able to watch a few kites. The fun part of watching the kites soar up into the sky, or not, is being able to walk up and down the fields. This year I stayed in one spot.

I could see that on the west end of the fields there were tents and bouncers of different shapes for the children. Who know what was being sold in the tents because I never made it to that side. One year, before the Festival became so popular, I was given a t-shirt that I like to wear when I attend the festival.

What fun to watch the Dads and some Mothers trying to show their children how to fly a kite. I noticed that the smaller kids could care less and it was the parents that were having fun. One mother and son stood about ten feet from each other. She held the string and he held the kite. They stood and looked at each other. "What do we do next?" I heard the boy say. "Throw it up in the air," the mother answered. He threw it up and the kite fell to the ground. At this point I said, "When he throws it up, you run while pulling the string." She switched places with her son but he did not have any idea of what to do as he held the ball of string. This surprised me because I thought everyone knew how to fly a kite! I do not know if they every got their kite up in the air because I turned my attention to the kites already up.

I love kites. I remember my brother making his own and I had to go find rags to cut them into strips and tie them together to be used for the tail. "The tail is very important," my brother would tell me.
After reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, I liked kites even more. They are beautiful as they zig-zag in the blue sky. Some stay up for a long time while others come crashing down to be picked up for another try.

"I see children as kites.

You spend a life time trying

to get then off the ground,

you run with them until 

you're breathless, they crash, 

you add a longer tail,

you patch and comfort,

adjust and teach. You

watch them lifted by the wind 

and assure them

that someday they'll fly."

Erma Bombeck

Seeing a Friend from the Sixties

My friend and I worked together. It's been a long  time ago but I do remember that she and her sister were married to policemen and my friend's husband was shot while on duty. They had two daughters who were about the age of my children and we would often do things together. I remember going on picnics in the mountains! My friend moved away from Colorado and settled in California and we lost track of each other.

Friday evening at our church's fish fry, I saw a lady sitting across from me. I walked over to her and asked her if she was my friend's sister. She hesitated and said my name with a question. Even though she belongs to my church I had never seen her at any of our functions.

We had an interesting time catching up and I found out my friend still lives in California and is doing fine. I asked for her number, but her sister did not have it on her and will give it to me later. Wow, what an amazing encounter to see someone from my past. Her husband did not recognize me but said he remembered my name. One thing for sure, my friend's sister still looks good!

Once I get my friend's phone number, Facebook, or e-mail it will be interesting to catch up on all that has transpired since I last saw her.

"It's always hard when

you've known a person

a long time and then

you have to recognize

that you have nothing

left in common but 

your memories."

Eva Heller

A Pleasant Surprise

Friday evening, around six-forty-five, I put on my pajamas and was ready to enjoy a good movie. Now that I had Netflix, I could choose to watch from comedy, drama, foreign, or whatever appealed to me. My phone rang and a friend said, "Get ready and join us the Arvada Center." As I was about to tell her I was busy, she said, "The show Trav'lin is showing and we have an extra ticket."

As many times as I drive along Wadsworth and pass the Arvada Center, I see what is showing on the marquee and wish I could see some of the shows listed. Trav'lin is one that has appealed to me ever since it was advertised but tickets are quite pricey so I never gave it another thought about going to see it. A free ticket to see a musical made me respond with "see you at the theater!"

Off came my pajamas, a quick washing of my face, put on some make up, slipped on some clothes and I was in my car ready to meet my friends. I am fortunate that I do not live far from the theater and that my friends had thought of me to join them!

Trav'lin turned out to me a fun play about how love can be messy. Three couples struggle in keeping their romance moving forward with many ups and downs. The lyrics sung by talented actors were wonderful and the voices powerful. The sets slid in and out silently showing us a beauty parlor, park scene, and dance hall. It amazes me how the sets can be minimal, yet convey what is going on in the lives of the characters.

Sitting near us were five persons with notebooks and watching the show intently. At intermission I went over and spoke with one young lady and asked her why they were taking notes. She told me they are the understudies who will take over whenever needed. She had two roles she had rehearsed and I was flabbergasted that she had to learn two parts. I wondered, first, on what  memory she must have and, second, did she ever get the parts confused.

 I thoroughly enjoyed the play and my thanks go to my friends for the invite!

"Life is messy.

    Love is messier."

Internet Quote

April Fool's Dinner

At my age, I do not believe anyone can fool me! Tonight, one of my friends brought a cake and no matter how the cake was sliced, the knife would not cut the white cake with colorful sprinkles. When we found out it was a roll of toilet paper nicely frosted  we knew we had been fooled!

Five friends decided to meet for dinner on April 1, 2019. To go along with our Gin and Tonic drinks a large tray with lots of goodies was prepared. The tablecloth was turned backwards and a meat loaf cake was made and mashed potatoes were used for the frosting. On top of the "cake," mixed vegetables were sprinkled. For dessert I made banana bread, whipped cream and peach halves to make it look like eggs on toast.

Not only was our food disguised but we all dressed as we thought fools would dress. A prisoner Christmas, a cute bunny, a cat lady, a red nosed hostess with a shirt on backwards, and a Hawaiian lady with sunglasses and a fern. At one point, we all put our red noses to take a picture!

What fun acting crazy and enjoying each other's company on April Fool's Day!

And then we were given an envelope that had April Fool's Day written on it and when we opened our envelopes here were these tiny little donuts with a note telling us they were donut seeds.  I don't know what the others did with their seeds put I planted mine and will now wait for those donuts to pop up!