Nonnie's Observations

my husband Charles    Not known to us, this was to be our last Christmas. Would we have done anything differently? I think not. We celebrated Christmas with all the bells and whistles, shiny ornaments on the tree,  lots of them homemade by family;  many were gifts from my students over the years. Tons of gifts stacked beneath the tree for all our loved ones. Of course, the genuine celebration of Christmas began with Christmas Eve Mass.   When Charles and I were much younger, the children and I went to midnight Mass.   But as the years flew by,  my energy didn’t last long enough for that.  Beginning with the new millennium,  our Christmas started with opening gifts on Christmas Eve,  then our going to 5:30 p.m. Mass.  From there, our children and their families headed for home. I hope that I’m not seeming maudlin sharing this,  but it seems that no matter how much time has passed  since my husband died,  that warm memo...

the bishop blessing the altar servers after Mass Bishop Doherty during his homily (sermon) the bishop's recession, after Mass the bishop during the Liturgy of the Eucharist St. Lawrence Church and rectory (where the pastor lives) It was at this church that the bishop celebrated the Mass. This week is Catholic Schools Week. Bishop Doherty visits the different churches of the diocesan schools.  Since there are two Catholic schools in Muncie.  They are St. Lawrence and St. Mary/Pope John Paul II.  St. Lawrence and St. Mary are elementary schools while Pope John Paul II is a middle school.  Bishop Doherty alternates visits each year. We are blessed to have 23 Catholic schools in our diocese. I felt the love and respect the congregation had for our bishop, the other priests and deacons.  I find it thrilling to be at Mass celebrated by the bishop of our diocese. Note: I was privileged to teach in both of our schools, first at St. Lawrence from 1967-1980 and St. Mary f...