Notes from a parish cat and his author Julie Mackenzie

My photo
I am Father Tom Fish, esteemed member of the religious team at Temptation of Christ Parish in the novels by author Julie Mackenzie. As to my background, I was invited into the rectory as a stray, laid on the charm, and was invited to stay, even honorarily ordained and no less spiritual than my sidekick Father Will. He dotes on me to high heaven and forgives all of my street cat proclivities, whatever the hell that means.

Friday, August 20, 2010

It's Friday


It's been a tough week.

Losing four beautiful cats from the catblogosphere was more than I could handle and I didn't even know them. I felt I did, though, through the outpouring of condolences and wishes for prayers and comfort. It goes to show how fragile life is and how everyone needs one another to help get through it.

So, what do we do? We garden, or we look at the sky a lot, the big, puffy clouds, or we do something to get our minds off that empty space that begins to grow if we gaze at it too long. 

I take a walk through my church. We have what is called a twenty-four hour vigil where volunteers take turns and visit with God for an hour. I walk through, trying not to get noticed, skimming the marble floor on my pawpads, the lamplight and candlelight so soothing, and listen to the murmurs from statues silent by day.

Sadness always makes me reflect. I think about how there are things over which we have no control. I try to change my ways a little. I think that I will laugh more, listen and talk less, and remember my friends, never passing up an opportunity to make their day a little brighter.

~*~

--Julie here--Whether you're Catholic or not, here's something Tom remembers my telling him:

Growing up Catholic we were encouraged to "make a visit." Stop in the church and visit with God for just a little while. Today, churches that don't have vigils are kept locked and it's just not done so much any more. To encourage us to say hello once in awhile, a nun shared this with me growing up:

When you go by a church
Stop in and make a visit
So when you're carried in one day
The Lord won't say, "Who is it?"

Have a great weekend!

--Julie & Tom

4 comments:

Brian's Home Blog said...

Yes, it was a tough week in the Cat Blogosphere, but only because they were love and cared for, as all should be every single day. Have a wonderful weekend!

Mishkat said...

It's hard to lose so many furriends, but we agree with Brian - it was hard because they were loved by their families and friends. It is nice to see so much support and caring

Lots of purrs from the Mishkat cats - and thank you so much for your purrs and kind thoughts for Blackie.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Yes, that was a very difficult day for all of us. We are so happy to have you as part of our group now, Father Tom! Excellent picture of you!

The Florida Furkids said...

Excellent post. This was a rough week in the CB.

Mom and Dad each have an hour of Adoration and Mom did an extra one after she got our good news about Sniffie's tests. It really helps.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids