I been trying to finish sorting out the different kinds of media here in the house, including the VHS tapes. There are so many that my dad recorded – particularly Star Trek and Sherlock Holmes. There are also some family movies, recordings of events, and some that are undefined. I had a stack that I started watching to see exactly what they were. In doing so, I put on a recording of a church dedication from 1987. It was our family church when we moved here in the late 1970’s and was housed in a temporary location. It took many years, but the parish came up with the plan and the funds to build a huge new permanent church. The recording of the dedication was not bad, for 1987 VHS quality. I was very interested in seeing the choir. My mother played the organ and her friend was the director. The camera did capture them both several times. Then, as they panned across the choir, I recognized my 1980’s hair. I didn’t remember singing in the choir for that event, but there I was. I also recognized many of the singers, most of whom have passed away. The Mass itself was very casual and contemporary. I remembered the church going through that time, but it was kind of a shock to see. There were no altar servers, but many other people who had assorted jobs during the celebration. A Methodist pastor said a blessing over the “baptismal pool”. The altar was set to the side, and the priest’s and bishop’s chairs were front and center. There was no altar cloth, but one small patten. The Eucharist was held in glass containers instead of the traditional gold. During Communion, many people dunked the host into the cup before placing it in their mouth. It was very different from what I am used to now and interesting to see how the pendulum swings. At the same time, the church was then and is now a place to worship God, to receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit, to come together as a community to pray, learn, and support one another. As the pastor pointed out, the people are the church. I am grateful and blessed to have been part of the parish then, and to have my son get married there in just a few weeks.

I Found God remembering the beginnings of a beloved church.