Pot Stirrer!  I’m one of those pastors who LOVES walking into a classroom early in the morning to get the kids all stirred up and energized and then I’ll walk out and leave the chaos in the capable hands of the teacher!  It’s not that I intentionally do this; it just kind of happens a lot.
 
Well, the following ‘incident’ happened a few Saturdays ago; not in school but in Church.  My intent was simple, but oh boy did I stir the pot.  I was sitting with … well let’s say their names were Barb and Kevin after a 4:00 p.m. Mass.  The church was pretty empty and we were sitting in a pew near the center break doors leading into the Sr. Carol Center.  Out of the corner of my eyes I saw this very familiar family walk into Church at the front Overlake doors.  For the sake of this story let’s just say mom’s name is Meg and she is the daughter of let’s say Deacon Tom and Josie Strasz.  Meg’s children are Emily (5 years old), Andrew (3 years old) and Laura (a toddler).  Let’s pretend that dad is a cantor and his name is Julian and he was already practicing for the 6:00 p.m. mass with John Perna.  I decided to call Emily and Andrew over to us because I wanted them to sing one of their favorite songs on demand.  They do this really cute rendition of the song, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  On cue, Andrew and Emily started to run over to us after dutifully pausing to genuflect at the altar with mom and baby in tow.  They came up to us and were very excited when I asked them to sing their favorite song.  Emily, with much excitement and a twinkle in her eye shouted, “Yes, let’s sing our favorite song: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”  Well, I didn’t know how to burst her little bubble other than say, “No, not THAT favorite song.  You have another favorite song.  Sing that one.”  I was certain she and her little brother were on to what I wanted because I ask them to sing it often in Church for people.  “Oh. Oh.” Emily started to say with the same excitement she had before I burst her bubble that I didn’t want to hear “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”  “ANDREW they want us to sing ‘How do You Solve a Problem Like Maria.’”  On cue, Andrew and Emily started to sing with great gusto.  I tried to stop the singing marathon but it was now helpless.  The pot had been stirred and the kids, who were very quiet and orderly walking into church, were now as excited and stirred up as they probably are seeing dawn arrive on Christmas morning.  I was in trouble now and there was no way to calm this excitement down.  Little Andrew darted off toward the Sr. Carol Center while still singing and now skipping and Emily headed in her own direction.  Poor Meg was trying to bring control back into the chaos I created.  All of this was happening while their dad was solemnly practicing his songs with John Perna, both of whom had no idea what was happening in the Gathering Place.  Andrew then suddenly darted over to the Sr. Carol Center main doors leading out to the parking lot.  “Good heavens,” I thought to myself, “what in the world did I start?”  The more I tried to help bring order to the chaos the more the chaos expanded.  As I tried to help Meg chorale Andrew, I saw a sight for sore eyes and nerves:  Andrew’s Papa and Nana (Deacon Tom and Josie) were coming through the doors.  “Thank GOD you’re here.  We need your help.”  Even before I could utter the whole sentence, Papa and Nana instinctively sprang into action (they must have learned this at Grandparents’ School).  Papa tried holding onto Andrew but he escaped and went straight for the fire alarm pull handle (I told you things had gotten out of control).  “NO,” shouted Papa at the top of his voice.  At this point I had visions of that fateful Christmas Eve Liturgy when a little one pulled the fire alarm with a church and Sr. Carol Center packed full of people.  But Andrew did what most boys his age would do, he ran straight for the other fire alarm pull handle across the room (I wonder if his middle name is Michael).  Nana, with Meg’s help who was still carrying Laura in her car seat, swooped into rescue Andrew from “quietly” calling the fire department.  “Good heavens,” I thought to myself, “this is exhausting.  I’m going to owe Meg one big dinner out after all this chaos I created … even worse just before mass.”  With Nana and Papa’s help, Meg was able to bring calm to the situation.  I was exhausted and embarrassed!  At this point, Julian walked out of John Perna’s office all prepared and ready to cantor the 6:00 p.m. mass.  Julian looked genuinely surprised we all were speechless and panting from trying to catch our breath in the Gathering Place. “How’s it going everyone,” Julian said with his usual joyful smile. “You don’t want to know,” I mumbled with my head bowed low.  “I’m going to the sacristy and your family is probably headed to the cry room with Nana.  I, in turn, probably need to go to the time out room.  This was all my fault.”  And, to think, after all that I never got the kids to perform on demand their cute little rendition of “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  I’ll give it a few weeks before I try it again.
 
SJA’s Annual Memorial Mass: Our parish’s annual memorial mass for those whose funeral was celebrated at our parish the past year will take place on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m.  Through a moving presentation and the lighting of memorial candles, we will remember by name each of the people whose funeral was celebrated at SJA during the past year.  A light reception and an opportunity for fellowship will follow the mass in the Sr. Carol Center.  I hope you will be able to join us!
 
Feather Bingo Party:  On Thursday, November 15 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Assumption Cultural Center, the Order of Alhambra Galicia Caravan and the St. Joan of Arc Knights of Columbus will be hosting the annual Feather Bingo Party in support of our Exceptional Needs Religious Education Program.  The Alhambra and the Knights have hosted this gathering for the past several years in an effort to raise funds to help defray the costs of this unique religious education program.  I’m grateful to Mary Cal and her entire team of catechists who devote so much of their time and talent to this program and for all the love and care they bring to our special needs parishioners.  I’m also grateful to the Alhambra and the Knights for their generosity in sponsoring this annual Feather Bingo Party.  I hope you are able to join us!  Please see the flyer elsewhere in the bulletin for more information.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
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