We were blessed to have the new priest from our parish come over to the house today. He was young, soft spoken, gentle, and caring. He talked with my mother for some time and asked her what she thought Heaven would be like. She said she pictured it as full of clouds with an organ in the middle surrounded by people in blue and white like the sky. The priest said they must all be waiting for her to come and play that organ. She laughed and agreed. She said she hopes that’s where she goes and not to the “other place”. He said that’s why he was here – to make sure she doesn’t go to the “other place”. He explained that he would annoint her, hear her Confession, and give her Holy Communion – Viaticum. In the past, that was a scary word that meant one was about to die at any moment. The priest explained that “Viaticum” means “provision for a journey”. As a person gets closer to leaving this life, Jesus in the Eucharist can bring strength, hope, peace for the transition to everlasting life. He said he would hear Confession of my sister and I also if we wanted. Granted, none of us were particularly prepared, but each of us did go to Confession. Then the priest said the prayers, dowsed is with Holy Water, put his hands on my mom’s head, annointed her, read scripture, and we all received Holy Communion. It was truly a gift. Later in the day, my mom said she had just been thinking that she had not been to Confession in a very long time and that she really wanted to go. The celebration did make her a little nervous, but she felt better afterwards. I was so grateful that the priest was able to provide some spiritual support and comfort to us all.

I Found God today in spiritual support and comfort.