Does anybody read these?

Hostile Irish Drunkards ...

... should not be allowed to log on to their blogs. Wow, I was mean and hostile Saturday night, wasn't I?

I only drank Woodchuck. Imagine if that'd been Jack Daniels-inspired rage. Yikes.

Well, aren't limericks supposed to be dirty? And seriously, I thought it was hilarious, and I still do.

On Sunday I went back to church for the first time in a while, not counting Christmas. I went to St. Patrick's on Sunday for their St. Patrick's Day mass. The Bishop was there and there was a packed house. Afterwards, we all joined in the parish hall for a corned beef and cabbage supper. I also connected with a singer whom I didn't know directly but was friends with another friend of mine who performs around town. So, I made a new friend. Everyone knows everyone in this town, I do believe. They call it a big city with a small-town feel, and I definitely think that as interconnected as everyone is.

Jon Bon Jovi sings a song called "Who Says You Can't Go Home." I feel that way about home, but I really feel that way about church. No matter how long I've been away, when I get back it's like I haven't missed a beat. I really liked St. Patrick's, which is one of Nashville's oldest churches. It was a big, old church just like I was baptized in and grew up in, although my knees still hurt from what I suspect were the original kneelers. Most people who know me know that I like big old churches with choir lofts and pomp and circumstance, although I'm a tad bit rusty on my Latin, especially my Sanctus and my Agnus Dei. I'll have to practice for next time I go there. I think I may go on Friday at lunch time for the Lenten prayer service and fish fry, as it's the last week for the fish fry and I haven't managed to get there once yet. It's near work, so it'll be a nice way to spend my lunch break.

I decided yesterday that I'm going to see what I want to get involved with at St. Ann's and in the diocese and tell Toys R Us that they'll have to work around it. You all know that I'm very active in church work and have been since junior high, so it's been very different for me not to even get to mass. I don't like it. I still pray and read my Bible daily, but it's not the same as being part of a faith family and contributing to the well-being of your community.

Faith has to come before work or honkytonks or anything else. I need to get back to my old rule that I could go out on Saturday night as long as my hind-end was in the church pew at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.

The last two times I've gone to church, this song has been one that we sang. I don't find it coincidental. And yesterday's gospel: The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Not that I've been gone that long or turned my back on my faith, but who says you can't go home?

You are Mine
By David Haas

I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near

I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night, I will be your light
Come and rest in Me

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live

posted by Laura at 10:13 AM