I have been a little under the weather this week, with that common ailment “post-Easter lurgy”. Unlike “post-Christmas lurgy”, which is usually the outcome of eating and drinking too much, “post-Easter lurgy” is what comes down on you when you have been burning the candle at both ends to get all your work done before the Easter break, involved in leading or contributing to a large number of liturgical services during Holy Week and Easter, and (in complete contrast to Christmas) eating and drinking too little. In the end, the body says to the soul: “Okay, you’ve had your turn; now it’s mine!”
So not much blogging in the last few days. And that is why I have also been slow to put up these pictures taken by Margot Gallagher at our Vigil exactly one week ago, last Saturday night. Apologies for my tardiness, and a happy Second Sunday of Easter/“Low” Sunday/”Divine Mercy” Sunday/“Quasimodo Geniti” Sunday/”Thomas” Sunday/Sunday “in albis” to everyone.
- “Sanctify + this new fire, we pray”
- “The Light of Christ rising in glory”
- “O truly blessed night”
- “Lo, I saw water flowing from the temple”
I know exactly how you feel David!
For a number of years now I have been responsible for the sacristan/set-up duties at St.Benedicts over Easter.Between the evening of Holy Thursday and lunch time on Easter Sunday I spend many hours in our church.The job is a priviledge and an honour as well as being a lot of fun.It does however,take it’s toll on your body and both last year and now this year I have come down with a head cold on Easter Monday.
Fortunately I recovered quickly and will this afternoon be attending our Divine Mercy celebrations and look forward to receiving a plenary indulgence.
Mrs Gallagher being the mother of a recently ordained Priest ??
I have a question David . Easter vigil at St johns Mitcham possibly 400 people.
I know St Phillips gets goodly -and godly- number, and when at 8am Mass at St Dominics this am, possibly 150. I am not into numbers games but what are these three churches doing -inspite of an increasingly anti-Christian and specifically Anti-Catholic media and communal sentiments-to attract these numbers ?
I ask this because the Anglican parish smack bang in the middle of them all ,has already closed one of its churches and the other two are amalgamating on one site, due to poor numbers. ( The evangelical Anglican church in the area that I know friends attend -St Alfred’s North Blackburn is large-influenced by Sydney Anglicanism I believe) .I note also your ‘church in law” St Pauls Box Hill is also large
I believe that people attend where the Gospel is preached faithfully and the
faithful witness of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the parish priests/pastors and people .People are hungry spiritually ,and despite of the surrounding culture, make the choice to follow Christ because of the emptiness of that culture.
Just a few thoughts.
Blessings to you on this Second Sunday after Easter or Quasimodo
Sunday