1st October, 2006

A PART…. NOT APART

I’m aware that many of the people who will be coming to celebrate in St. Joseph’s this week-end are relative new-comers to Paris. To be honest, even after almost two years I still consider myself a relative new-comer. OK, so I don’t break into a cold sweat every time I face driving into the Etoile; (though I’m not so sure that the same can be said for all the drivers who see me coming!); I can find my way to and from the airports at ease; I even understand some of the items on a typical menu.

I suppose a lot about getting used to living in a new country is to do with the things that are done differently from at home, wherever that may be. For me it takes some time to get used to all the shaking of hands and bisous-ing that goes on – I’m more used to the “Hi, howya doin’” kind of greeting. (No, not “The top o’ the mornin’ to ya” – that’s Hollywood Ireland!)

But there is one thing in particular I came across in Paris, that I hadn’t experienced before - ‘though I know it’s not a particularly French thing - that I do find very attractive. And it happens right here in St. Joseph’s. At first I thought that maybe it was just a practical matter – just to keep the priest straight, as it were. That was because initially it was just to do with children. But then I started to notice that there were some very big ‘children’ doing it. And when I thought about it I realised it wasn’t just a matter of practicality, but also had a very positive religious significance.

I’m referring, or course, to the practice of those who for one reason or another cannot receive Communion at Mass, and who come forward at communion time to receive a blessing. A practical measure, yes, because it means that the parents of young children don’t have to worry about leaving them behind while they themselves are receiving, or else bringing them with them and confusing whoever’s distributing communion as to whether they are receiving or not.

But there is also a much more significant meaning to the action, especially for the adults who come forward. It is hopefully a statement to the effect that “I feel myself to be an integral part of this celebration, even if I cannot fully participate”. And on our part it is a statement that “even though you cannot fully participate, we want you to feel welcome, and we ask God to shower His blessings on you”. (Not the most theological of language, but you know what I mean.)