Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 – St. Bridget of Ireland – Stamford, CT

So, like I said at the end of yesterday’s reflection……I do not believe in “accidents” or “coincidences”!

This morning I was going to go to St. Mary’s in Stamford. I had announced it on Facebook and I had about a dozen responses telling me how pretty the church is, who got married there, who was baptized there, and whose parents got married there. I was excited to be going there to feel all the stories and history that surrounded that place. I got there at 7:55am for 8:00 Mass. The sign on the beautiful church doors said that Mass Monday – Saturday was at 8am in the chapel. No other cars were anywhere in the parking lot until one minute of 8:00. Three older people ( again the number 3!!) waited in the car beside me….all of us wondering where mass would be. I went to the door of the chapel. It was locked. The church bell rang announcing that it was 8:00am. Although I am not a genius, I figured out there was likely no Mass today.

I drove across Stamford (I had another all day meeting starting at 9:30) winding my way through the streets and ended up on Strawberry Hill Ave. Up on the left was St. Bridget of Ireland and the sign said there was an 8:00 mass. I turned in since it was only 8:10am. I quickly went into the church and found a spot close to the door. The homily was almost OVER!! However, the church was so pretty. Very sweet and welcoming with a beautiful stained glass window of the crucifix. It was stunning with the morning’s light streaming through it.

It wasn’t until we were half way through the Our Father that I thought of My Mother…….Mary Bridget from Ireland!

It struck me as kind of funny. I don’t think I landed in either place by accident or coincidence. I believe both of these female saints guided me to mass this morning! Thanks MOM –Mary Bridget!!

During the Our Father I also thought about how I translated the prayer to Stephanie one time – a long time ago. I told her that praying was just like talking to someone. The Our Father was really saying something like:

Our Father,

who art in Heaven,

hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

 

Dear Dad,

I know where you live…in your Heaven, to guide me and I love you.

This is your House that you share with me, and whatever you need or want for me, it will happen,

here in Our place just like in Heaven.

Thanks for today, and please nourish us today and every  day, and please forgive me, just like you want us to forgive others who might hurt us in so many ways.

Please keep us away from the things that can hurt us and take away any harm that can come to us.

Thank you.  I believe.