New Zealand Sabbatical

At Mass this morning on Palm Sunday, we were given the ferny foliage shown below to use for the service. As my church friend, John noted “the church needs to work on their botany”. They may be just using what is available as you encounter ferns everywhere but I don’t recall seeing any palms. John is an interesting fellow who immigrated from South Africa and has run the 60 mile Comrades race in Cape Town multiple times. He still runs in races in his eighties and is an inspiration for me.

St. Joseph Church is just a 3 block walk from our place. A colorful Irish priest usually presides. A notice on the door explains the building is not earthquake-proof so it is a little nerve-wracking when a loud bang occurs unexpectantly. Just so no tremors accompany the noise…