The Week That Was

Well, Ash Wednesday was a bust. Toronto suffered the 2nd snowstorm in the past 4 days, adding another foot to the foot-and-a-half of snow we'd already gotten. AND, because I chose a church and the other end of town (it's exactly 5 parishes over from mine!) I arrived exactly 10 minutes after mass had ended. So, I had to turn around and wait another 1/2 hour for cab to take me home. I did, however, give my umbrella to a lady who was WALKING home (when it's 20 below I don't care if cars aren't "eco-friendly") as a penance for missing the occasion.

But! I did manage to make it to the retreat the following Saturday! It did take place in the church basement (er..."large hall" as I am required to call it!) It was a great time - we all sat around in circles reading Bible passages and explaining why God called that person to do whatever he wanted them to do. It was going quite well until one of the other students showed up with her newborn baby and Fr. Andrew's cat Tigger decided to crash the party. We had to break because there was far too much adorable in the room to continue studying!

The next day was the Sunday (for all of those who can't read a calendar!), which marked the Rite of Election ceremony at the church. I showed up for mass at 10, and was treated to something called the "sending of the catechumen to the Bishop" or something similar. Fr. Andrew called us all up to the front, and basically told everyone that we were going to another church to do another similar ceremony! It was freezing cold that day - the wind chill was -30c. (around 1 F.)

After mass, I had some time to kill, so I (stupidly) walked 5 blocks to enjoy a hamburger at one of my favourite restaurants (Wimpy's!)...completely forgetting that the wind WOULD NOT be at my back when I returned to the church!! It took all the coffee in the world to get me just to stick my head back out the door! I finally made it back to the church parking lot, where I was to meet my ride out to St. Rose of Lima church - yet another 5 parishes over.

It was a really nice church and a wonderful ceremony, lead by Bishop Grecco. All the catecumens from about 15 different parishes were all called up to sign their names in the Book of the Elect (that's right! I'm an elect now!!!) After the ceremony, they took us all downstairs to the "Large Hall", where they fed us finger-sandwiches, lemon squares and kool-aid! I also got to have my picture taken with the Bishop (and one of the other "Elect" from Holy Name! I'm on the right...wearing the fabulous rosary-pocket-included purse!)

And so, after the all the finger-sandwiches and lemon squares had been eaten, it was time to go home. It was a fantastic beginning to what I am assuming will be an equally as wonderful lenten season!