Be Not Afraid! (Three Years Later)

August 1, 2012 by Beatasum | 2 Comments

I get to lug this great book around, and I love it!

I am about to hit the 50,000 mark with this blog.  Many of these “hits” have taken place in my absence.  It has been nearly three years since I typed a word for Catholic Me.

In that time, many things have changed.  Where I was struggling with my faith, in the time leading up to and after my father’s death, I have now returned whole-heartedly to it.

My husband and I, sold our 60-year old home, and moved back to the small town where, we began married life in 1996 and where he, first became a Catholic. We now live with my 83-year old mother, and our pet cats.

Perhaps the biggest change for me, has been taking the step to get involved in the church of St. Mary’s here, in my small town.  I had often entertained the idea of signing up for one of the ministries of the church — usually while sitting in the pew during mass, but by the time it was over, I had somehow talked myself out of it.

Well, in January of this year, this time, my feet took me to the back of the church, up the stairs and into the choir loft, where I told the young woman behind the organ, that I wished to join their small group.  It turns out, she is the Choir Director.

This has been my saving grace!  I have thrown myself into singing Soprano and I have been uplifted!  I was thrilled to practice with the group over the winter to get the traditional and even Latin hymns ready for performing over the Easter Triduum.  I have not had such a fulfilling Easter season since I was a little girl, preparing for her First Communion on Good Friday, 1968.  As an added bonus, I get my own copy of the Catholic Book of Worship, choir edition. Woo hoo!

Why am I telling you this?  I am sharing this experience to encourage YOU to take that step! Do not hesitate, do not waste time in putting things off, or making promises for “one day”.  Make the day TODAY!  You will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Sign up to be on that committee, to lector, or to sing! Get involved and make your faith experience so much more!  Be NOT afraid!

My father is buried in the beautiful cemetery up the road from the church.  His grave is a simple one with a grey stone and black writing.  He was Irish, so we chose a simple Celtic Cross for the front and we have a quote from his favourite song, “Danny Boy”.  It reads, “In sunshine, or in shadow.”

He used to sing in the choir at our church of St. Francis of Assisi, in Mississauga.  When the choir wasn’t present, he would often lead the singing from the pulpit.  I hope he can hear me singing out on Sunday mornings!  I’m sure he’s smiling and I’m sure he’s proud of me for taking that step.

Beatasum  (a.k.a  Kathleen)

Here’s one of the Latin pieces we sang for Easter:

I just love the old Latin, don’t you?

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