So Jess and I have recently taken to saying "same *whatever*" and using it to point out something that is the same between Ireland and the US. For example, last night I went out and looked at the stars and moon under a gorgeous clear sky and looked over and Jess said "same stars" and I responded "same moon" and thus continues this blog post.
Today was my first day of seeing the real life lived by the members of the House of Brigid and it was pretty awesome. We started up making the now very familiar walk down to the parish for the rosary before Mass and daily Mass with the parish community. (part of your job to go to Mass... sounds like a life goal to me :-) ) We then joined the women of the parish office for a bit of morning tea which was absolutely lovely (this seemed to be the most appropriate adjective). Sitting in a room surrounded by rich Irish accents from the 60 year-old women and the 3 year-old toddler was absolutely fantastic. So much gossip!
Then after sorting a bit of music and getting some work done in the office Patrick, Jess, and I went into a fifth class to plan the class Mass for the month. I have to admit that this was the most inspiring time I have spent so far. This was the second of four meetings that the two of them had had with this class for the Mass and it started out by the students "turning in their homework" which as one of the boys put it "yah dedn't half to ruight it dohwn ya jus ad to tink abouutit." It consisted of them telling Patrick what part they wanted to be in the Mass and then Patrick asked them how to spell their names because Irish spelling of names are ridiculous(ly awesome). We then went over what the students wanted to pray for in their prayers of the faithful which went from the people in Japan to the one man in that picture from the flooding to "dedcha noh dat dey half live footahge of da flohds from dat ayerport?'" This eventually transitioned into the youngsters deciding what gifts they wanted to bring up to the altar to represent their lives and after each individual student was told that they could not bring their pets things got significantly easier. The hour wrapped up by practicing the music for the Mass and this was the part that brought a big ole' smile to my face (as if the little irish accents and awesome discussions hadn't already). We sang each song through together and then asked the students to sing without the help of Jess, Patrick, and myself. It was gorgeous. Maybe not right... but perfect.
After this the day was about over in the workplace, but it was time for my tour of Wexford. Jess, Clarisa, and I went out to lunch in the restaurant of the Opera house and then we walked around a bit. We saw a couple churches (so great... as the pictures try to demonstrate.) and then the waterfront. After quiet a bit of walking we made it back to the House and had dinner as a community before walking back down for Stations of the Cross (as written beautifully by Jess). There were over 50 people there, which didn't look like many but I actually counted because I am an awful guesser and 50 is pretty impressive. I then got to hang around to join a bit of the day of Adoration that happens from Mass until 10pm each Monday and walked back up to the House. After a stop for some Oreo's and a more traditional jam and biscuit I am sitting in the family room writing this blog. Pretty great day.
I'm realizing more and more that things between the US and Ireland are very different, but very similar. Time moves more slowly here, people are not always in such a rush, but at the core of the day it is the same things going on. At the parish it's the "Same Mass." In the Church it's the "Same prayers." At the waterfront it's the "Same water." When the sun sets it's the "Same sun." And in Adoration it's the "Same Jesus."
Today was my first day of seeing the real life lived by the members of the House of Brigid and it was pretty awesome. We started up making the now very familiar walk down to the parish for the rosary before Mass and daily Mass with the parish community. (part of your job to go to Mass... sounds like a life goal to me :-) ) We then joined the women of the parish office for a bit of morning tea which was absolutely lovely (this seemed to be the most appropriate adjective). Sitting in a room surrounded by rich Irish accents from the 60 year-old women and the 3 year-old toddler was absolutely fantastic. So much gossip!
Then after sorting a bit of music and getting some work done in the office Patrick, Jess, and I went into a fifth class to plan the class Mass for the month. I have to admit that this was the most inspiring time I have spent so far. This was the second of four meetings that the two of them had had with this class for the Mass and it started out by the students "turning in their homework" which as one of the boys put it "yah dedn't half to ruight it dohwn ya jus ad to tink abouutit." It consisted of them telling Patrick what part they wanted to be in the Mass and then Patrick asked them how to spell their names because Irish spelling of names are ridiculous(ly awesome). We then went over what the students wanted to pray for in their prayers of the faithful which went from the people in Japan to the one man in that picture from the flooding to "dedcha noh dat dey half live footahge of da flohds from dat ayerport?'" This eventually transitioned into the youngsters deciding what gifts they wanted to bring up to the altar to represent their lives and after each individual student was told that they could not bring their pets things got significantly easier. The hour wrapped up by practicing the music for the Mass and this was the part that brought a big ole' smile to my face (as if the little irish accents and awesome discussions hadn't already). We sang each song through together and then asked the students to sing without the help of Jess, Patrick, and myself. It was gorgeous. Maybe not right... but perfect.
After this the day was about over in the workplace, but it was time for my tour of Wexford. Jess, Clarisa, and I went out to lunch in the restaurant of the Opera house and then we walked around a bit. We saw a couple churches (so great... as the pictures try to demonstrate.) and then the waterfront. After quiet a bit of walking we made it back to the House and had dinner as a community before walking back down for Stations of the Cross (as written beautifully by Jess). There were over 50 people there, which didn't look like many but I actually counted because I am an awful guesser and 50 is pretty impressive. I then got to hang around to join a bit of the day of Adoration that happens from Mass until 10pm each Monday and walked back up to the House. After a stop for some Oreo's and a more traditional jam and biscuit I am sitting in the family room writing this blog. Pretty great day.
I'm realizing more and more that things between the US and Ireland are very different, but very similar. Time moves more slowly here, people are not always in such a rush, but at the core of the day it is the same things going on. At the parish it's the "Same Mass." In the Church it's the "Same prayers." At the waterfront it's the "Same water." When the sun sets it's the "Same sun." And in Adoration it's the "Same Jesus."
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