The One with Lent: Week Three

     Week three of Lent was yummy and I was happy to share it with my dad. The Fish Fry seemed a success for everyone involved. There were so many (older) folk there and it was comical to see beer (and other spirits) served and consumed in God’s House. Maybe becoming Catholic is the way to go!

     It’s looking as though during week four (birthday week) I will be resting my bottom on chairs around tables with my community rather than on a pew among an unfamiliar community. Because I’ll still be sharing a communal table with the people I trust and love the most I’m not considering it a total loss if I miss out on church this week.

     May the birthday feasting be blessed…

The One With Lent: Week Two

     The second week of Lent was a success in that I actually made it to church. As I got out of my car and walked across the parking lot I literally said aloud to myself, "you're a crazy person." I continued my speed walk pace instead of turning around and made my way to a seat in the familiar sanctuary.

     
     My anxiety lessened and my breath returned once I sat down and scanned the space for recognizable faces, although there were none to be found other than the pastor. I was a young kiddo when I first met the pastor. His daughter and my cool older cousin were once good friends so I grew up thinking I was pretty cool by association. It was that old connection that kept me planted in my seat throughout the service despite how uncomfortable I was feeling.
    
     Knowing how I felt about facing another week of church the following week, I was pleasantly surprised to get an invite in the mail for a Fish Fry at a nearby church for this weekend. Eating fish instead of sitting through a service? Yes, please. Sign me up. It might feel like cheating, but for Lent I only said that I would go to church...

     Peace et Bon Appetit!

The One With Ashes at the Airport

     For Lent I have decided to go to church once a week, so it seemed fitting when I heard the announcement overhead at Midway Airport that there would be an Ash Wednesday service in the chapel. After mom and I made our way through separate security checkpoints we hopped in the elevator and claimed our seats in the interfaith chapel.

     Although the chapel was interfaith the service was Catholic which was evidenced by the missing last bit of the Lord’s Prayer and the Signs of the Cross. We sat and stood a number of times, sang and read through liturgies, and prayed and had our foreheads marked with ashes.

     For some reason I have been uncharacteristically fired up about Lent and this service was one of my favorite parts of my Chicago trip. Church attendance is not easy for me, so it will be interesting to see how the rest of this Lenten season progresses.

     Peace be with you…