Mike's musings

My first ordination - and a first Eucharist

(backposting) Yesterday I attended my first ordination as a priest. I've gone to lots before, including my own, but this was the first time that I was attending and involved in the laying on of hands. Sally, my fellow- (if you will) curate and two other people who I know a little were ordained priest in Stansted Mountfitchet Church. It was a fantastic service, and the choir sang the Hallelujah chorus after the act of ordination. I brilliant day (apart from the football afterwards, obviously.

And then, this evening, was Sally's first Eucharist. We had incense, I sang in the choir (alto, actually), read the Gospel and the whole service was amazing. I had an amazing realisation whilst I watched her during the Prayer of Consecration, she looked so human, and so priestly. She was the Everyman/EveryWoman that each priest should be, and the truth and reality of Christ as human was made so obvious to me. I felt really sad for those who can't accept women's ministry.

I've always been a proponent of women's ministry - don't get me wrong - but this was one of those flashes of realisation that make things appear so right.

When Sally and I processed out to the side-door, we had a bit of a cry on each other. Tears of absolute joy.

Labels: joy, ordination

Variety is the spice of life

What a fantastic day I've had. Woke up late, with less of a hangover than I deserved, which is always a good start, and then did some hand-washing (of clothes, rather than the Pontius Pilate type). Got up slowly, had bath, watched some T20 on the TV.

A quick breakfast, and then off to the absolutely amazing Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife Centre. You'll see lots of pictures on Flickr photostream. I had a blast, and so wished I'd had the girls with me to share it all with - though being without them did mean that I could linger a bit more with some of the exhibits. I even had my picture taken with a koala, and got to stroke one, too (pity they're endangered: their fur, though short, would make fantastically soft yarn (oooh, whoops: spot the knitting convert)).

Then off to buy a couple of books. I've got a e-cooler ebook which I use a lot, but I don't like taking it in the bath, so decided to get a couple of paper ones. Then wandered down George Street to the Rocks and Circular Quay. I visited a market I'd walked round last week, and was unable to stop myself from buying some astonishingly neat steampunk cufflinks. I also bought a puzzle for my curate colleague, Sally, and a lovely indigenous spice/herb rub for cooking. Just then, the girls phoned, so I had a quick chat with them before heading back to the hotel for a video Skype call with them as they ate breakfast. All in all, a great day. I'm going to go and find a nice Asian restaurant now, and sit and have a lovely supper before heading back for a quiet evening in front of the TV or with a book. Yay for happy days.

Labels: books, girls, joy, knitting, zoo

An ordination

(backposting) Slept in, then headed out to a proper continental breakfast: freshly squeezed orange juice, croissant, tea/coffee, convivial surroundings...

And then off to l'Église Saint Jean Berchmans for Hervé-Pierre's ordination to the priesthood. He's a Jesuit with a passionate belief in ecumenism and integration, and I was so honoured when he asked me if I'd read the Gospel in English, after a deacon (diacré) friend of his read it in French. The language was mainly in French, with English explanations, and also bits of the service in German and Flemish: quite the multi-lingual affair. I enjoyed it immensely, I have to say, though there were issues. I'd already known that I wouldn't be able to receive communion or to lay my hand on him as part of the ordination, but it was more difficult than I'd expected. In particular, watching all the other priests - there must have been over over 40 of them - file past, and lay their hand on him, was very, very hard. I don't think I've ever felt more a priest, and I had tears in my eyes and flowing down my face.

All the priests concelebrated, too: holding out their hands, and saying the words of institution, and I couldn't do that either. Nor receive communion. It was hard. But the rest of the service was joyous, it really was, and I'd not have been anywhere else. And Hervé-Pierre was radiant. There was only one thing that I felt that I couldn't join in during the service was the invocation of the Saints during the litany. There was a lot of "priez pour nous", and I just didn't feel happy, theologically, so I just kept my mouth closed during that part: the rest was fine. I'm not theologically convinced by the dedication of the Eucharist to Hervé-Pierre. For me, the suggestion that you can dedicate a Mass / Eucharist / Communion to someone (living or dead) is senseless. But I can understand why, if you took the view that it was sensible, then dedication of this service to the ordinand was touching.

After the service, there was a buffet lunch. I spoke lots of French, which was a real treat. Although far from perfect, my French is good, and I had some interesting chats with some Jesuits - and non-Jesuits. A number of them seemed to have no problem with my ministry or ordination: the best comment was the one of them said he thought that my ordination (as long as it wasn't too "low"!) was more valid that an of those by Bishop Lefebvre! (Note: not sure I mean this one, but can't track the right one down).

We headed off, walked around the centre of Brussels - Kate had never visited the Grande Place before - and then we had a meal, headed caught the Eurostar, a tube, a train, drove back, and got home around 2310. A great day.

Labels: catholicism, family, joy, ordination, travel

My first Midnight Mass

(backposting) Lunchtime with Si, D, Morgs, Boo and Simon, Jo's godfather. Good to see everyone: we need to find a time to get together for some child-free time to chat, eat and drink with Si and D. Simon spent some great quality time with Jo: I suspect he's a very good teacher.

Well, the afternoon brought us the Halstead crib service, which I was attending with the girls. The church was pretty full, and the girls were sheep, which was very sweet. Got them to bed afterwards - as before, took rather a while to get them to sleep. Mum, Dad and Moo went to bed, and I headed off to the Midnight service at St Andrew's, Halstead, where I was to preside at the altar.

We had about 138 people, including choir and clergy, and it was one of the most joyous experiences of my life. Sharing the great gift, as He was shared for the first time with us, was just so special. I just can't begin to explain the emotion, I really can't.

Labels: Christmas, communion, eucharist, god, joy

Well done the U.S.A.

You should all be proud of youselves.

Labels: joy

Good news

Not just that I'm heading home - and should be in business class, as I have an upgrade token that I can use - but a friend of ours who's had some terrible problems in her life is pregnant. The child, a boy, is well, as is his mother, and it's one of those "thank God" moments. I've been praying for this couple lots, and I'm so glad that God has taken them from a terrible place and given them something to hold on to. We spend so much time praying about the bad times that it's sometimes fantastic to be able to offer a great prayer of thanks and joy and jubilation to God.

Labels: joy

Friday five: rivers in the desert

For this Friday Five, name five practices, activities, people or _____ (feel free to fill in something I may be forgetting) that for you are rivers in the desert... From Sally - I consider myself tagged...

1. walking with the dog. Long, and hard. I walk pretty fast, and upwards of 2 miles is where it starts to get interesting.
2. music. Cathedral choral music. Palestrina, Lassus, Tallis, Byrd, Stanford, Harvey, Gibbons, Howells, Walton, Tippett, Ades, Weelkes... You get the idea. Also organ music. Messiaen...
3. family. Time with Jo. Time with Moo. Jo's such fun at the moment. And Moo needs quiet and support as she gets ready for the next baby
4. reading. I, like Sally, read fast, and multiple books at the same time. Always have. Don't get confused. Can speed read and still take things in. very useful.
5. a nice glass of single malt. oh yes.

Labels: family, joy

Christians awake, salute the happy morn!

A lovely family Christmas with Kate, Mac, Nana and Aunty Kitty. A great 0900 service in Rempstone - 10 people, which ain't bad - a very good sermon. If we don't allow ourselves to move beyond the infant Jesus to an understanding of an adult Jesus, then our faith will never be adult, either.

Moo had to go to the emergency doctors when she finally admitted that her earache, throat pain, sinus pain, jaw pain and eye pain really _weren't_ getting better, and that she needed to find someone to give her some medication. Not so easy, given that she's pregnant, but they agreed to give her some antibiotics, and hopefully she'll get better soon.

Alleluia! Christ is born! Alleluia!

Labels: family, illness, joy