Thank God for Cor Unum

A neighbor looks at a home burned in a series of gas explosions in Lawrence, Sept 14. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)

"I think it's a great thing that, across the community here, from the governor to a person in a backyard, people know that it's the Catholic Church in South Lawrence to whom they can turn for their basic needs. That's a very beautiful thing in the midst of a really terrible crisis," Father O'Brien said.

Father O'Brien is the pastor of St. Patrick's Church in South Lawrence where apocalyptic gas explosions took place.  The parish also operates a soup kitchen Cor Unum which serves three meals a day, ye.ar round.  I am proud to say that I have volunteered at Cor Unum, a few times.  It is a wonderful operation.  In fact, it's Catholic operations like Cor Unum that make me proud to be Catholic.

My Triduum

Sorry I haven't posted, these last few days.  It's an understatement to say I've been busy.  It's been exhilarating and soulful.  I spent Holy Thursday in the prison with my "cloistered brothers."  My catechumen showed up.  Phew!  And he did have his feet washed. The Holy Spirit is working!  My Spanish brothers played the music, so it was different than I'm used to.  Moving!

Good Friday found me at the Soup Kitchen. I worked at Cor Unum in South Lawrence, MA.  I bussed.  It's just like a restaurant.  The customers don't have a meal choice, it was fish, potatoes and broccoli, but everything else was a choice and as much as they want: water, coffee, tea, milk, juice (orange or cranberry), chowder or salad or both, cake or bread pudding (The best I've ever had.)  This was supper.  Cor Unum also serves breakfast and lunch.  It is also opened every day of the year!!

Holy Saturday I was at the prison again.  This time, the choir was the Bethany choir.  They didn't have time to do all they wanted because of the time constraints, but it was wonderful.  We had four entering the church.  Please pray for Juan, Ryan, Domingo, and Jose.

Just in case you're wondering, I didn't sizzle when the holy water hit me.  I do renounce Satan.

Lastly, I lectored at the 7:30 AM Mass.  And an Easter surprise--this Mass doesn't usually have music, but this morning we did.  Alleluia!

Christ is risen.                                                                                   Truely, He is risen!