Dry Cleaning Round TWO: There is a bit of irony to the following story.  This comes just days after I wrote about my escapades with washing a dry-clean-only alb.  I’ll get to that story in a minute.  But first, I need to follow up on the alb story.  As I wrote two weeks ago, much to my amazement … and to the surprise of many … my efforts to wash and rid a dry-clean-only alb of its stains were actually successful.  Truth be told, I fully anticipated opening my wash machine only to find my alb completely destroyed from having gone through a wash cycle; I didn’t know what to expect by washing a dry-clean-only item.  But the alb wasn’t destroyed, and that just empowered me to keep cleaning it until the stains disappeared.  In my article, I mentioned the products I used in my all-out war on the stains.  In the end, the product I’m convinced was the ultimate weapon that brought me victory was the OxiClean Max Force Pre-Treater Gel.  You would be surprised by the suggestions I received about other products I needed to add to my arsenal of “weapons” to use on harsh stains.  One product I had to look up online because I’ve heard of it before was Lestoil!  Now that I have experience in dealing with a stain laden dry-clean-only alb, I’m ready for the next stain challenge if it ever presents itself!  Bring it on; I’m ready!
 
Now for the “Round Two” story.  For many weeks, I was convinced I was missing a few of my daily black sports coats but I never took the time to figure it out.  With the pace of my life, weeks often turn into months which turn into years.  Now, I have to explain that I have good black suits and daily black suits (and many of them because I’m often in my blacks 7 days a week).  The staff at the Parish Center often laughs at me when I go home to change for a more formal event or liturgy because I’ll proclaim I’m going home to change into a “good suit.”  The peanut gallery will often pipe up “Would anyone even know the difference between them?”  With regard to the suspected missing suit coats, all became clear and resolved a day or two after my alb story was published in the bulletin.  I got an email from Lorraine, our Parish Center secretary, that H2O Dry Cleaners called.  You’ll love this: they wanted me to know I had two suit coats and a “church robe” there for about a year!  I couldn’t believe it.  I went over to H2O the following day to recover my missing stuff.  When I got there, I had a good laugh with the young staff member who was helping me (she’s also a parishioner and the one who called the Parish Center about my stuff).  What was even more amazing was that I recovered not only the missing suit coats but also one of my albs!  And, we discovered from the dry-cleaning ticket it wasn’t a year at all.  It was even worse; the clothes were set to be picked up in November of 2017!  Yes, you read that right, November of 2017!  I guess I’ve been busy … or it’s another sure sign of life as I approach 55!  Thank heavens it wasn’t my ClickList order from Kroger! But on the flip side, it was a banner week.  I gained two albs and two suit coats.
 
A Visit to Kindergarten:  Not too long ago, I made my way down to Ms. Pilarski and Mrs. Eisbrenner’s rooms to visit with the kindergarten classes shortly after the morning bell rang.  As I made my way down the hallway, I gave out my customary “high-fives” to everyone I encountered, child and adult alike!  When I entered Ms. Pilarski’s room, she was laughing rather hard and couldn’t wait to tell me what happened in her classroom just prior to my arrival.  One of the little ones saw me coming down the hallway, ran into the classroom and shouted with much excitement: “The giant is coming down the hall.  The giant is coming down the hall.”  I guess to a little one, that’s what a 6 foot 7 inch guy looks like!
 
SERF Reconciliation Services:  During the forty days of Lent, we recall with great joy the wonderful mercy of God. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God revealed a powerful love, stronger than any human power. We call Lent a penitential, yet joyful, season.  It is penitential because these forty days give us an opportunity to acknowledge in sorrow the failure and sinfulness that are part of our lives.  It is also a joyful season because we know that God’s healing love can overcome all failure and brokenness. God’s mercy is given freely to all who open themselves to this wonderful gift.
 
On behalf of the priests of the SERF Vicariate, I invite you to one of the four SERF Vicariate Communal Penance Services with individual confession that will take place in the coming days. The sacrament of reconciliation can be a wonderful opportunity to find wholeness in God’s loving grace and, for those who feel separated or alienated, to discover a church community that strives in faith to reflect the love and compassion of God.
 
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful encounter with you and Christ.  Through the ministry of the priest, you encounter Jesus’ forgiveness as well as words of encouragement and counsel about how best to walk the path of virtue.  To be honest, I’ve never known of anyone who has ever left the confessional feeling sad.  You can’t help but be overwhelmed and uplifted after experiencing the forgiveness of Christ.
 
While we celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation every Saturday in Church at 11:00 a.m., you are invited to any of the four communal reconciliation services with individual confessions in the SERF Vicariate during the season of Lent.  These will take place on Thursday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Saint Clair Shores (Little Mack and Martin) and 7:00 p.m. at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Roseville (13 Mile and Kelly); and then on Monday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Saint Clair Shores (13 Mile between Little Mack and Harper) and at 7:00 p.m. at our parish.
 
Make your Lenten journey complete by experiencing the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Even if you haven’t gone to confession in years, don’t be afraid; the priest will walk you through the sacrament. Just come and experience the powerful mercy of God.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
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