After waiting outside through blustery snow with frozen toes and extremely aware that I had forgotten my gloves, I was privaleged and humbled to be one of the first that was allowed to walk into the new church after the Bishop blessed the building and the doors were unlocked. I don't know if I've ever felt more honored than to be able to sing the gathering song for the Dedication of our new church with four amazing musicians. I was so nervous before mass, but with all the hustle, bustle, and thawing out, my nerves evaporated and I just put a smile on my face and remembered what we were there for -- to celebrate all the hard work and the will of God unfolding before us.
The entire mass was so reverent and beautiful, and the church building is a masterpiece. I can sit here and try to think about how to put the mass into words, but it's really impossible. There were so many inspirational points. The Bishop talked about how young people have the opportunities to take what we're doing at Holy Spirit all over the world. We are the ones who will get to have our first communions, confirmations (of course, I'm quite past those now), and marriages in this church building. I won't lie, that was one of my first thoughts walking into this GORGEOUS space, equipped with a Bridal Suite..."I am SO going to get married here." God-willing, I guess, right?
I was nearly brought to tears several times today. I looked out and saw my parents -- especially my Dad who isn't Catholic -- there at mass, and I almost lost it. This stuff is so important to me and my sister, and it was really nice for him to be there. I'm so thankful that Mom instilled this faith into us, but that's another story for another day. During the presentation of the gifts, my friend and her parents were bringing up the gifts and the mom was crying, and she almost got me crying. She's so sweet. Incensing the altar was part of the mass that was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. The huge incense pot was set on top of the altar and the Bishop started the incense and it started rising. The light was gleaming on the smoke and it was stretching up to where the cross on top of the building extends into the sanctuary, and it looked like the heavens and earth were completely united at that moment. Trish & Olivia singing at that point, "Lord may our prayers rise like incense in your sight..." created an inspirational image.
Singing "Allelujah" for the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament was another awe-inspiring moment. Although stylistically, I felt like I could only hear myself because there was a monitor at my feet, the piece was undoubtedly gorgeous. I am honored every time I sing with these wonderful women to be included in such a spectacular ensemble. They are so faithful and talented -- a group of role models, that's for sure.
So many other moments! Singing the Hallelujah chorus, watching Bishop Medley anoint the altar, seeing Art Kunkel honored with the first watercolor portrait of the building and hearing his quote (something like..) "All that I've done in my life has been a rehearsal for this...building a church. How often do you get to build a church?" (I don't know his exact words, but something like that), singing God With Us with no less than 12 teens at 8 mics when we usually have 4 or 5, listening to my favorite lectors read the Word of the Lord, the interpretive dance during the incensing, the Brothers singing "How Great is Our God", watching the congregation remember that we have kneelers now so we can actually do mass the correct way, giving standing ovations to all those who deserved it, Dana playing "Wondorous Love" instrumentally at one point, taking Communion for the first time in the building, watching the priests anoint the north, south, east and west walls, the ACOUSTICS and the amazing ring after a song ended, getting stopped by so many people after mass giving me compliments. I just offer them up the the Lord -- I'm so humbled by all of it. Singing makes me happier than almost anything else, so it doesn't seem like getting compliments is at all necessary, but they are always so nice and heart-warming.
Today is definitely a day I'll remember forever. If I'm not at Holy Spirit post-graduation (I'm glad I didn't think about this today or I would have been a basketcase during mass...just wait for Christmas Eve), I know that I'll bring my future family back and showcase the lovely building and especially the absolute best community -- the actual church -- and reminisce on the first day we ever had mass in this space. "Let us go rejoicing to the House of the Lord!" Today was perfect, inspiring, memorable, gorgeous, and most of all, holy. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am so glad I was able to experience the process from the heart-wrenching last mass at the old building to the glorious celebration at the new.
Now -- onto rehearsals for Christmas Eve Mass! My FAVORITE mass of the year!
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