GARY & MARIE...OUR LIFE IN QUEBEC!: St Patrick's Day 2012

Sunday, March 18, 2012

St Patrick's Day 2012

Phil and Fer standing beneath the Sanctuary Lamp

This past Saturday, St. Patrick's Day, Marie and I, Phil and Fer along with Christina and Patrick who drove down from Ottawa celebrated Mass at St. Patrick's Basilica. Rosalia, who returns to Mexico City this coming week, stayed at home and looked after Amy. She will miss her granddaughter but hopefully takes back many many happy memories of her time here! It was another beautiful and warm late winter day and we were all in good spirits as we made our way downtown on the Metro. Pastor Msgr Francis John Coyle spoke on the past history of the Irish in Montreal and the beginning of the church built in 1847 - 165 years ago! It was a very special Mass for us as the Sanctuary Lamp had been burning it's red candle this week in memory of our little angel. I was not aware of the significance of the Lamp but from the Kings James version of the Bible I find it says: And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from the evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the the behalf of the children of Israel. After the service we had the Pastor bless Patrick's remembrance book that we had brought with us and which we keep in a prominent spot in our home. It has been 2 years now since we lost our grandson but his memory never fades and he is with us each day. Amy of course reminds us of him, but is another gift we cherish and will always thank God for. A beautiful St. Patty's Day and lest I forget to wish you all reading this - May you have a world of wishes at your command, God and his angels close to hand, friends and family their love to impart, and Irish blessings deep in your heart ! gws