TrulyGrace

St. Lucy's day

St. Lucy is my patron saint for Confirmation. My maternal grandma was my Confirmation sponsor. (I sure do miss her. She was the first family member whose funeral I attended.) I selected the name Lucy because she is the patron saint of eyesight, her name means "light," and my kindergarten teacher from the Bronx YMYWHA was a beautiful person whose name was Lucy. I wonder how she is today.

I started the day off by attending Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral. Dad was there, for the television ministry; Fr. Tom said the Mass; Sr. Marietta was the reader; Don provided the music ministry; and John was one of the Eucharistic ministers. I saw some of my friends there, too. After Mass, I watched the man change the candles for fresh candles. While trying to decide which candle to light, Dad said, "Light that one. It is beautiful." So I did, and I said a prayer. One of the best things about Church (which I have appreciated since a child) is lighting candles. You can depend on your prayers rising up like the fine, thin trails of smoke up to Heaven.

After work and dinner I went to a concert by Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic High Schools. The program included some instrumental pieces by the woodwind ensemble, a violin/piano piece, and an alto sax piece. The choral groups performed, including medleys of Christmas music, the Carol of the Bells, the Holly and the Ivy, and O, how a Rose e'er Blooming.

My building's Holiday party was next, and I caught up with friends in my building whom I haven't seen for a while. I also met up with some of the newer residents whom I haven't had a chance to talk with much.

Labels: celebration, children, Choir, Christmas, Church, diocese of Pittsburgh, light, prayer, St. Lucy, St. Paul Cathedral, teaching

posted by Grace @ 12/16/2005 04:09:00 PM