No interest in a cruise to Panama

But I would love to go on 'The Globe and Mail's' Panama cruise only because one of my idols, Cathal Kelly, will be on it.  Maybe just being in his presence would be enough for a little of his writing talent to rub off on my own meagre efforts.

I have been a dedicated fan since happening upon him during a morning perusal of the Globe a few years ago.  Kelly is a sports writer, but not really.  His take on sports always involves a unique angle and usually bleeds into other facets of life, written in the most lovely and beguiling way.  Oh to have just a little of his talent!  

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Anyway, what I really wanted to write about today are my years as a eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Fatima -- a fluke job that found me, not I it.  One morning at Mass at St. Brigid's in Ottawa, where we lived at the time, I was sitting with my kids and stepkids (B was out-of-town), minding my own business, when the venerable Sister Eleanor Hennessy quietly snuck up, tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to step up and give out the host.  I was shocked.  Me?!  "Yes, yes, just go ahead up," she instructed.  Since one never said "No" to Sister Eleanor, up I went on the altar.

I fumbled away, but managed not to drop any hosts and got through it.  After that, I was a regular Eucharist Minister and, sinner that I was -- and am -- felt it had to be right because I hadn't chosen the role; it had me via Eleanor's gentle hand.  When we moved to Britannia, I learned Eleanor had quietly called Father Martineau and pegged B and I to continue our roles at our new parish, Our Lady of Fatima.  Thus it unfolded that not only was I a minister, but I also inherited the role of coordinator and scheduler of eucharistic ministers.

As I have said, it was bizarre, but became more so when Father Martineau asked me to serve on the parish council.  I said yes, but as a result of one missed meeting I learned that he had made me chair-in- absentia.  "I couldn't bear to sit there during those meetings with someone who didn't know how to chair," he confessed, "So I nominated you.  You are now the chair."

Gee, thanks a lot!

Things progressed at Fatima and another task found me:  Bringing the eucharist to hospital patients.  I did this for several years every Sunday morning -- often seeing 30 patients a visit.  I found I had a talent for this mission because I could visit a very sick, or dying, patient, connect immediately and emotionally with them -- often to the point of crying -- and yet leave the room and take nothing home with me.  Sometimes I would see the patient's death notice the next day, but it never lingered with me.  That's why I could do it so easily for so long.

Strange things happened at the Civic.  One day, the list I had been given didn't have the name of a patient I had been seeing regularly.  As I left the ward, something made me turn back.  "Where is Ann?" I asked at the desk.  "Oh, she had been sent home, but came back yesterday because she is so ill," the nurse told me.  So, I went back to see Ann and give her the host.  She died that night. 

Why did I go back and ask about her?  You be the judge.

When we moved to Calgary, I did not continue this work and I don't really know why?  Perhaps because the pastor at the parish we joined was not a very friendly man.  Now, I no longer go to Mass; my spirituality lies within.

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Now a word about Mormonism.  I have been watching some very disturbing YouTube videos about this religion.  Made by people who have left the church, they paint a picture of rules and rigid regulations, do's and don't's and shunning.  Homosexuality is especially frowned upon and tithing is mandatory.  Apparently, the Mormon church has $100 billion salted away from tithing -- much of what is tithed in Canada ends up in the US and at Brigham Young University; very little is donated to charities here -- or anywhere, for that matter.  

In a way, many of the rules and obligations are not unlike those of the Catholic church of a few decades ago -- such as women not working outside the home, marrying very young and having as many kids as they can in short order.  Still, as the sister of a gay man who committed suicide, I was struck by the high suicide rates among gay -- or "gender dysphoria" -- members.  

According to the videos I watched, Mormons preach love, but within their rules.  The largest, single land owners in the entire US, "Mormonism professes to be a religion, dabbling in business, but it's actually business dabbling in religion," said one man who left the church.  

I also watched a couple on Scientology and both religions are secretive, rules-based and focused on huge wealth.  Unlike the Catholic church, whose doors are open to anyone anytime, you can't just walk into a Mormon or Scientology church.  Their doors are barred. 

So, if you're interested in learning more about these sects, faiths, religions or cults, watch a few videos.  "Why we left the Mormon church:  A coming out story" is good because it features a young man, his wife and their three kids who have stayed together -- even though he has come out.  They could not, however, remain in the Mormon church and his family has shunned them.  Fascinating.

Note:  I have a couple of Mormon friends who I don't think will like this blog.  Doesn't seem to be a lot of objectivity in their thinking.

Epilogue:  As predicted one of my Mormon "friends" has gone postal about this blog, thus proving my point about practicing Mormons not being objective.  He has even demanded an apology, which is to laugh.  As if I would apologize for my blog?!  My blog is my opinion -- but always supported by facts.  I have done the research and I have the numbers.  Giving a several hundred million to charity does not jive with the $100 billion the church has in its coffers.  Frankly, it does not qualify them as a non-profit organization, according to reports I have read by forensic accountants.  But good money people have handled that wrinkle with the money within the church.  

I am sorry this person -- with whom I used to enjoy swimming and chatting -- has revealed himself.  When people comment on the Catholic church, I don't take it personally and demand an apology.  I don't run that organization.  But it seems Mormons take everything personally -- regardless of their high-minded intentions and works.

Ah well, as Lord Acton said, in the long run we'll all be dead.  And I know I will be reunited forever with my family -- even though I am not a Mormon, not perfect and definitely not "sweet".