Were we Good?
So the big visit occurred and went off with out a noticeable hitch. The Bishop came saw and left. Father B thanked all involved and all of the parish who attended the big Mass with the Hungarian Bishop.
It really was quite a day. It was for the first time in my memory that there was standing room only in the church. Yes even those who never come showed up to be amongst the numbers. I told my wife I wouldn’t have let them in! Be there on a regular basis don’t just show up on a special occasion!
The Bishop though was impressed and gave an inspired homily about the Hungarians abroad and how big the church has been in their lives and how for many the Hungarian churches abroad were their first place of refuge and first place to seek help in starting a new life in a new country. This is all true and he also mentioned how the church had through the communist years held the family together and gave always a sense of hope for the people. He also mentioned that when he met Pope Benedict XVI how the pope was impressed with the Bishops role and that how many Hungarians and Hungarian churches there are outside of Hungary. The Pope was to have said that this truly was something to behold how a nation of people even abroad can stay together like this.
Father B I have to admit got the politics out of the way when he had 2 of the older kids (actually very young adults) to read during mass. I smiled and thought this was good this way none can argue that how this person could read when the Bishop was here etc.
Yes we all sang and we were all louder and somehow in tune with the hymns. We also sang the Hungarian National anthem at the end and truth be told there was not a dry eye in the church. Even though I was born here in Canada I have always been very proud of my Hungarian heritage and this day reinforced that in me. A simple group of people who left with nothing to come elsewhere for freedom and start new. Also all the support they sent back to their families through all those years but never ever forgot their roots. Never forgot their love for their homeland and for those in attendance their church.
So now back to the regular flow at mass. This past Sunday maybe 40 of us. I told m wife if I was Father B I would have introduced the ‘regualrs’ to the Bishop and sat them up front but alas Father B does not like and tries to avoid confrontation.
OPff to work and until next time take care!
