A Little Thrill

It really doesn't take much to set my spirits soaring. I guess I'm too much of a Pollyanna, always looking at the bright side and turning away from despair, but I just can't help it! It's the way God made me I suppose...

Last year at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, Archbishop Dolan was celebrating his last Holy Week with our Archdiocese. My son John and I attended the Mass and I was honored to be the representative from my parish to carry our Consecrated Oils from the Cathedral back to our parish. After Mass, I just had to speak with Archbishop Dolan, knowing it would be my last chance to see him before he left for New York. I was standing next to a group of sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary dressed in their bright royal blue and white habits. Archbishop Dolan couldn't get enough of them. He went on and on telling them how beautiful they were, and that they were more colorful than he was. Then he turned to me and asked "Aren't they beautiful?" Of course I had to agree! But when he asked me if I knew them, I shook my head for I did not know them.

But today, that has all changed! We have a new parishioner at St. Matthias Parish and her name is Sr. Helena. She is in the Order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and she is so beautiful in her royal blue and white habit. She has just moved to Milwaukee from Tanzania and recently joined our parish. As I spoke with her, she held my hand and the warmth from her hand spread through my entire being. Watching her genuflect as she received the Body of Christ and bow deeply as she received the Blood of Christ is what really thrilled me because my parish is known to be very liberal, very few people bow before receiving the Lord.

I have a feeling that her lovely witness is going to move many hearts in our parish and draw us all to a deeper love for the Lord. I suppose I can just go ahead and add my new friend to the list of Praise from yesterday's post, because I am very grateful to God for bringing lovely Sr. Helena to my parish and to my heart.