Categories: ship-of-fools, australia, other-churches
Date: 29 August 2006 02:59:57
A very, very enjoyable rest of the weekend: and Monday which I took off as well.
Sunday started with a wonderful Solemn Mass with First Communion at St Francis of Assisi, Paddington. They have a truly outstanding choir and a very beautifully offered Mass, which as well as being geared towards choral music has a number of wonderful, and simple, responses for the congregation so that they may fully participate. I still have the Gospel Acclaimation Alleluia ringing in my head.
It was a true joy to see so many make First Communion, and also to see shipmate Max in his role as server: and to marvel at him kneeling on the marble floor with no cushion while holding a large candle during the Eucharistic Canon.
After some cake, coffee and other sweet and savoury delights -- a wondrous spread was put on for the first communicants -- lunch with a few of the choir members was had at a local establishment. Groupie of St Francis Choir I am, I, and Max, went to Concord Hospital for a farewell Mass to the Catholic chaplain there at which they were singing. Again, beautiful, and more food delights awaited us afterwards.
Max and I then headed to Christ Church St Laurence for Evensong and Benediction: I've talked about CCSL many times before so I won't say much more. We did get taken to the sacristy afterwards by one of the servers, a first for me, where we saw a stunning wood altar they had recently rescued from being used as a bar.
This was followed by dinner with a friend of mine, and a friend of hers, who seemed most upset that Max, as a Catholic, did not breathe forth fire and brimstone on the topic of The Da Vinci Code. But it was good fun.
Monday I went to Duo Seraphim's place, who unfortunately wasn't feeling 100% off. She soldiered on, and her, Max and I went to St Patrick's Cathedral. Max's jaw visibly dropped: and it was clear to see this modern Cathedral met greatly with his approval. It is very beautiful: simple, very simple, but an absolutely beautiful worship space. It is also home to a most wondrous organ.
The Angelus and Rosary -- the first time I've participated in it -- were said, and then there was a Mass on the Feast of St Augustine. A simple said Mass, but beautiful, as the Mass (Liturgy/Eucharist) always is. Three very different Masses for me this weekend, and five Services, including the Small Canon of Supplication Saturday night and Evensong and Benediction (often refered to as Evensnog and Bendies :D), this weekend, but all heavenly and all drawing me, and those around me, closer to God as we worship Him.
After a quick lunch at the local Westfield, we headed up to the Blue Mountains. We saw Wentworth Falls, which due to a lack of rain was more a trickle, Leura Cascades and The Three Sisters. We also saw some beautiful scenery as we drove around the mountains: valleys and hills as far as the eye could see full of bush and flowers, so many beautiful flowers, in bloom (spring has come a bit early). It was a trip full of insanity, fun insanity: a double-decker London Bus with a sign indicating it was headed for Piccadilly Circus(!) passed us, and so to get a photo I turned the car around and gave chase. It's not every day you are chasing a London Bus around the Blue Mountains! Various fun comments were made by Max, given the Blue in Blue Mountains, as to this being the place where the Blessed Virgin would make an appearance, blue being her colour. We did attempt to discern her appearing in various rock formations.
It was then to the airport, for a quick snack at the Food Court and then for Duo and I to farewell Max.
It was great to meet Max: may God bless him as he moves to London to study theology and God bless him in all he does. And great to catch up with Duo, multipara and a number of other shipmates also.