Jubilee

Our parish hosted the Diocesan Mass for the Jubilee of Anniversaries today.  The diocese rarely holds this Mass at the Cathedral.  I don't know if that is because of the size of the Cathedral or the lack of available parking.  This is the second time in recent years that the Mass was held at St. Cecilia's.  It is an honor to be asked to host this celebration.  What's more, they also asked our parish choir to sing for the event.  I have heard that when the Jubilee Mass has been held at other parishes, the Cathedral choir will go and sing.  The Cathedral choir is made up of paid professionals who had to audition to get their place in the choir.  St. Cecilia are amateurs (except for the choir director).  However, many have the talent of professionals.  I give credit to our Patroness who is the Patron Saint of music and musicians.

What has all this to do with me, since I am obviously not celebrating a jubilee anniversary??  Well, I volunteered to serve as a hospitality minister for this special Mass.  There are a small number of us who tend to respond to the call when ministers are needed for these special events.  I don't mind.  I enjoy serving when the people who are there really want to be there.  (The only people I saw leave Mass before the Bishop and Priests was a woman who didn't feel well, her husband and a young man who took his baby out to the gathering space to quiet him)  I also have found that I really like going to Mass . . . and a Mass where the Bishop is celebrating is extra special.  I even saw several people there from other parishes that I know, which was kind of cool.