Reflection on a granddaughter's graduation from high school

As preparations were made for my granddaughter Heather's prom this Spring, I couldn't help recalling a similar occasion fifty years ago. In the all-girl Catholic school I attended, the grand event was called, "The Graduation Dance".

The panicky feeling began to build right after Christmas holidays. The girls were looking forward, with varying degrees of anticipation and anxiety, to the dance. Everyone was expected to attend. However, for many of us there was a formidable challenge to be overcome first: we had to find and invite a suitable escort.

A few of the girls already had boyfriends. Those with brothers could always ask one of his pals, or if all else failed, the sibling might be threatened or bribed to go himself. Some girls traded brothers or male cousins for the evening. Unfortunately, my friend Frances and I were socially challenged: we had only one younger sister apiece.

We had attended all-girl schools since first grade and teenage boys were scarce in our social circle. If one approached me on the street, I'd cross to the other side after a rapid internal debate. "Should I speak? What if I spoke and he didn't answer? What if he did? What could I say next?" I'd invariably decide it was easier to avoid the whole problem. However this was a situation I couldn't escape. I had to find an escort, or be considered a social outcast forever.

First, I invited the boy who delivered groceries. He said, "That's the day my grandfather died. I always visit the cemetery. Sorry." In the evening? In the dark? At least he deserved an A for originality.

Next, I called the older brother of my sister's friend. When he finally figured out who I was and what I wanted, there was a long moment of silence. Then he squawked abruptly: "I think my mother's calling me," and dropped the receiver. He returned shortly to say that he was very sorry, but he had a previous engagement. I could hear the relief in his voice; his mother had saved his neck.

My mother was doing her best to help. She methodically canvassed her friends with sons of an appropriate age, but she had no luck. Things were getting desperate! I began to wonder, "If a person decided to enter the convent, could she go right away, before June 5th.?"

Mother, never one to concede defeat, was considering importing a cousin from up north. He was younger, but tall for his age. If I could convince him to keep quiet about our kinship, he might even pass for a real boyfriend!

Suddenly, the phone rang. Frances' mother had had a nibble! There was one problem: the boy wanted to bring a pal. Would I go with his friend? Was she kidding? Good-bye convent, hello dance!

The preparations began in earnest. Long gowns, matching shoes, gloves, and evening bags were purchased. The good Sisters had warned us repeatedly not to wear strapless evening gowns, in fashion that season, but they failed to tell us why. Our curiosity was thoroughly aroused and some of the more daring among us might have tried, but we knew we'd never get away with it! Someone would squeal.

We practiced for hours, dancing in high heels to the music of the record player. It would be most unladylike to fall flat on one's face in the middle of the dance floor!

After 50 years, I can't remember much about the dance but I do remember the boy. His name was Gerry, and he was as wary of me as I was of him. I spent the evening trying to make him feel more at ease. If he panicked and made a break for the door in the middle of the evening, it would have been more embarrassing than not having gone at all!

Fortunately, circumstances have improved during the past half-century. Heather, who has always been in a coed situation in school, is perfectly comfortable with friends of both sexes. She went to her prom with a group of girlfriends. There was no anxiety, no pressure, just an evening of elegance and fun shared with peers.

To all the graduates of 2007, enjoy the prom, the last hurrah of your secondary school career. You should smile with satisfaction and confidence as you doze off after the big evening. You will soon realize that nothing lasts forever and tomorrow will be a big day too. It will be the first day of the rest of your life

How does someone become a saint?

For Catholics, canonization it is a formal declaration by the pope that the person named is in heaven. There is a definite procedure the Church follows before the Pope will declare a new saint.

A detailed investigation is conducted into the person's earthly life, to make sure he or she committed no serious, ongoing sin. In addition, there must be evidence presented of at least two scientifically-proven miracles which occurred after this person had died and their help was sought in prayer.

There are many saints in heaven whose names are unknown. They are holy people who lived lives of quiet sanctity without attracting attention. Many people have family members in this category.

Imagine, if you will, the saints' present situation. They are eternally happy, praising God in heaven. However, just as their family members and friends do not forget them, they do not forget those they left behind on earth. They are in a splendid position to petition the Almighty for favours to help their loved ones on earth. They are close to the throne of the God of infinite love. They can ask more effectively and powerfully than folks on earth who are easily distracted and plagued by doubts which assail their already weak faith.

Catholics do not pray to saints. Rather, they ask the help of saints in bringing requests to God. They honour the saints; they study the lives of the saints and use them for role models. Devout parents often give their child the name of a saint, thus asking the holy one to look out for the child, guide him through life and help him attain heaven.

Catholics look upon the saints as friends, helpers, human beings who have successfully completed their earthly journey. Catholics believe in the doctrine of "The Communion of Saints", as mentioned in the Apostles' Creed.

There are three levels of existence in which a human may find himself or herself. Those on earth, are referred to as the church militant. They are struggling against temptations from the world, the flesh and the devil. They can pray for the souls in Purgatory. They can ask for help from the saints in heaven.

Souls in heaven are referred to as the church triumphant. They are the saints, both known and unknown who have reached their goal. They can pray for those on earth, and also for the souls in Purgatory.

 Those in Purgatory are called the church suffering. These souls left earth with some sins or imperfections on their souls. They are undergoing a purifying process which will make them fit to enter the perfection of heaven. Their time of suffering can be lessened by the intercession of those in heaven and those on earth.

The "Communion of Saints" is a circle of friends on a cosmic scale. It's been said that Christians don't go to heaven alone. They go with and through other people. The Church community transcends time and space as we know it.

Catholics, then, do not pray to saints as they pray to God. Catholics ask the saints to present their prayers to the Almighty from the more advantageous position which the saints enjoy. The scores of requests granted through the intercession of the saints are convincing testimony to the effectiveness of this tradition.

Memoirs: First Day in Grade One

The most memorable first day in Grade 1 for me, was that of my sister. I'll never forget it because it scared the daylights out of me. Although I wasn't directly involved, I expected the fallout from her undisciplined antics would result in lightning bolts, excommunication,or leprosy, or maybe all three, to be visited on our hapless family.

The year was 1946 and the setting was the cloakroom of our Catholic girls' school. The characters were the first-grade teacher, Sister Emmanuella, my mother, my sister, Mary Elizabeth, a group of little girls gathered around to see the new student, and me.

Sister Emanuella was a sturdy woman, dressed in the traditional habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph: long black dress, veil, and shoes with a white wimple around the neck. From the black cord around her waist hung a large wooden rosary. It reached almost to the floor and beads clunked against each other when she walked fast. She was a strict disciplinarian, and all the students (and parents) had a healthy respect for her.

Mother, (a recent convert from Presbyterianism) was a doting parent, and she might be forgiven for wiping away a tear or two as she handed over her youngest to this formidable personage. I had been in school two years already, so she would spending her future days in lonely solitude, or so she thought.

Mary Elizabeth (known as Lizard to family and friends) was a child of strong character. Since there was no Kindergarten in those days, this was her first experience with school. She took one look at Sister's deadpan countenance and decided she wanted none of it. She had enjoyed two years of Mother's undivided attention while I was in school. She did not want to give up that halcyon existence for an unknown environment with this menacing-looking creature.

Now Lizard was small and scrawny, but she was wiry. Mother had picked her up and tried to hand the kicking, screaming child over to Sister. Feeling Sister's firm hands around her, Lizard kicked even more vigorously. Sister held on tight, but she got very red in the face. The screams rose to a piercingly high pitch. The little girls put their hands over their ears and some of them started to cry.

Suddenly, there was a clunking sound of wood on wood. I looked in horror at the floor. Lizard had broken the rosary, and it hit the polished hardwood surface with a clatter. Sister's face was now scarlet and I'm not sure to this day whether it was from anger or exertion. There was suddenly silence. Even Lizard shut up.

I wasn't sure what would happen next. Lightning bolts were a distinct possibility, and excommunication for sure. Boy, was my dad ever going to be mad! We were always hearing about leprosy in Bible stories; maybe we'd all come down with that disease and have to live by ourselves outside the city like the early Jewish victims.

Sister unceremoniously plunked Lizard back on the floor. She asked me to pick up the beads. She told my mother that she really thought Mary Elizabeth wasn't ready for school yet. She suggested leaving her home for another a year. Lizard stopped howling. Mother agreed and escaped as quickly as possible, after having offered to pay to have the rosary repaired. Sister said that wasn't necessary. I suspected the angels would probably come in the night and fix it. Sure enough, next day it was as good as new!

The next September, when Lizard actually did start school, Sister Emanuella had been moved to another assignment in a different city. I guess the Lord had a special place in his heart for her.

Now, there are few Sisters left, and most of them dress in ordinary street clothes with only a cross around their neck to indicate their special status. I'm glad I had the advantage having had them as teachers, they were strict but fair. They honestly had the well-being of the children at heart, even those as difficult as Mary Elizabeth.

Oh, and nobody in our family ever did get leprosy, at least not yet.




 

Common reasons why people leave church

Church attendance is falling in many of the mainline Christian denominations today. This is unfortunate, because as society becomes increasingly secularized, the ethical and moral climate of cultures decline. Society needs frequent reminders that there are absolute standards of right and wrong, and that a Supreme Being monitors the deeds of individuals and nations. Ultimately, the good will be rewarded and the wicked punished.

People stop attending church for a variety of reasons. Among the most common are:

* I'm too busy.

 Really?  During the week, the Almighty gives you 168 hours of life, food to eat, a roof over your head and numerous moments of peace and pleasure with friends and family. Can you begrudge Him an hour or two on Sunday in return? Does that not seem like the ultimate in ingratitude?

* I don't believe in God.

This can be a convenient excuse  If everyone took time to observe and reflect on the beauty of the world around them: the glory of a sunrise, the cycle of seasons, the perfection of a newborn, the unerring rhythm with which the universe and everything in it operates, he or she would realize that all creation bespeaks the hand of an all-wise and all-loving Creator.

* There are too many sinners and hypocrites at church.

Agreed. Churches are full of sinners and hypocrites. What better place could they be? Aren't we all sinners? Most of us are also hypocrites in some manner or other. Jesus said: "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance."  Luke 5:32

* I don't need church. I can pray at home.

Everyone should pray at home, but we were meant to worship in community. Consider the prayer Jesus taught. He instructed us to address God as a group: "Our Father...", and again, "Give us this day our daily bread...", and "forgive us our trespasses". Individual prayer is good, but group prayer is more powerful. " For where two or three are gathered  in my name, I am there among them. " Matthew 18:20

* God doesn't care about us. Look at all the evil in the world.

There is much evil in the world but when the causes are examined closely, they are mainly rooted in man's inhumanity to man. God gifted humans with free will. When that will is used for evil, it is certainly not God's fault.

Also, the earth and everything in it was created perfectly. With the fall of our first parents, sickness and death became part of our destiny.

The planet, too, shared in humanity's loss of perfection. Some of the animals became ferocious, crops no longer grew without a farmer's effort, and floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters came into being.

God however, did not leave his beloved children without a means of help and a guide to salvation. Jesus established the Christian Church to guide us through the chaos of earthly life and enable us to find our way back to God and our eternal home. Those who make excuses, leave the church, and try to find the way on their own, do so at their peril.