Transitions

This afternoon, the moment arrived, which had seemed to be looming somewhere in the distance: the time to remove all of the poinsettias from our chapel.

They'd been there for two months, since Christmas, and were still doing alright.  There was no botanical malady causing their demise; flowers are not allowed for church décor during Lent (except for on a few special occasions), so this Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras was slated to be their last day to enjoy the warmth and beautiful home our chapel offered.

It was good to get this done today, rather than waiting for the morning...We are now prepared to be in accord with liturgical norms, it is true.  However, I did have another reason for taking action in this matter today: this is one less thing I will have to take care of in the morning. 

I have the full length violet altar cloth draped across the table in the little private dining room down the hall.  Before I get on with the rest of my day (prayer, Mass, reception desk duty, etc.), I'll have to change things over in chapel from ordinary time to Lent. 

Down will go the green trim on the altar and ambo.  The green tabernacle veil will be exchanged for white.  The huge violet altar cloth will go on.  (Hopefully, most of the creases/wrinkles will have come out of it in the day and I half that it :hung out" in the other room - I really don't want to have to iron!!)

I'm hoping I can get myself going early enough in the morning (after working until 10 tonight) to get all of this done and still have time for private prayer before everyone else gets over to St. Anne's for morning office at 6:30 a.m.

Your prayers for me would be appreciated as we start this season of Lent.

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