This morning I celebrated the 3rd Sunday of Advent as we count down the birth of Baby Jesus by the Virgin Mary. Mother Mary, My Mother and Tom's Mother serve (and continue to serve) major roles in who I am.
I was baptized Catholic. On Sunday mornings my father would drive my mother, my two sisters and myself to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Tx. We would dress in our Sunday best including hat or scarf (as our heads were to be covered). This is an elective ritual now though many of the older women still wear lace scarves. I remember one particular time mother took us to the store so each of her girls could pick out a new hat. We were young but even then thought we were in the know of fashion. I remember I selected a light brown tweed Audrey Hephburn style topper. I really loved that hat.
Anyway, Daddy would drop us off and the four stair-stepped ladies in the family would proceed into Church as 3 ducklings following their mother. That was the beginning of my Catholic upbringing. Our Lady of Perpetual Help was also known as "The Pink Church". It was painted pink and I just loved it. The building was small but I had no idea at the time as it seemed larger than life. OLPH also had carnivals and mexican dinners that I loved. Frankie, Tammy and I would run around outside and had a wonderful time. It bears repeating that I just loved all of the activity I had with my mother and my sisters at the Pink Church.
Years later, friends and family celebrated with Tom and I as we were married at St. Pius X Catholic Church by Monsignor Adams. A stoic man who automatically received your respect. Monsignor and St. Pius served a major role in the order of our family. Our oldest son, Brian, was baptized eight years later at St Pius. I can still see his precious little face as we held him in our arms. (I also remember I wore a light brown velvet dress). Toms fathers funeral rites were celebrated at St. Pius. Monsignor passed away several years ago and I am not sure if he realized to what degree he affected our family celebrations...marriage, baptism and funeral rite (also acknowledged as a celebration).
Eight years after Brian was born we had our youngest son, David. David was baptized in Seneca, Kansas. Toms Mother moved back to her hometown of Seneca after his father passed. So, we traveled to Kansas to have David baptized by Father Broderick at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Father Broderick was not related but I always thought that was so cool to have our precious son baptized by a priest of the same name.
Faith has always been important to me. However, at some point I began to read and study other forms of religion (including my own style) outside of the Catholic Church. As the boys became older I never pushed our sons to one religion but encouraged them to explore and find the belief that works for them. I could not ask for more compassionate, loving and morally right children. This is all I can ask of them at this time.
Toms Mother (whom I am sure will be recognized as St Rita one day) has prayed relentlessly for Tom and I to get back to "the" Church. Earlier this year, months before I became ill, I felt the overwhelming desire to establish my bond with the Catholic Church. With little effort, I found my new place of worship and the most wonderful priest. I will stop short of saying he is the best priest I know since we do have a priest in the family. lol. I would say Father Jim is in his 70's and has quite a sense of humor. I adore his lessons, quick wit and stories of growing up in Independence, Missouri. That too is odd as Tom's father was raised in the same area.
In the Catholic Church one must go to confession, if at all possible, before receiving communion. Tom teased me by asking how late the priests would be at Church knowing I had years to make up. lol. The last laugh was on Tom. Confession behind me, I received holy communion by Father Jim at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. I have not seen a more beautiful church. I believe it could easily be sitting inside the City of Rome if Rome had the open land Texas does. lol. However, its beauty is just a plus. It is not pink but it is my new home.
D
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