Magical cathedral moment

Published: 20 June 2010

I RECENTLY holidayed with my daughter who lives in Yamba, northern NSW.

She asked me if there was anything special that I would like to do.

This was not a hard decision for me, I just wanted to go up and see St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane with its new look, that I had read about in The Catholic Leader.

It was a long, tiring day and I was so disappointed at the modern look achieved.

Memories are all I have now of the happy events I had in this cathedral.

My interest goes back well over 60 years - I was conditionally baptised at 18, made my first Holy Communion and Confirmation, and later was married at St Stephen's, so I felt that it was an important part of my life, and my memories.

The altar looks cold and, as for the chair for the bishop, I hope he brings a cushion as it looks very uncomfortable, especially if he is in for a long session.

We were sitting in the backseat viewing the changes and me doing a lot of complaining about the changes.

Then something happened to raise our feelings of love and thankfulness that we were not deaf, and, after all, it was still God's House.

A tenor sang the Ave Maria in Latin and we thought it was a recording as we could not see anyone.

But at the end of this magic of having listened in astonishment of his voice, a middle-aged man in a red jacket, started towards the front entrance.

He actually had been behind a post.

I called to him and thanked him, and he told us that he does this on a regular basis.

Could I ask you to pass on our appreciation to this gentleman if you know him, or know of him?

Yes I did call in at your office and met your very friendly staff, thank you for our warm welcome.

I forgot to mention I really look forward to the weekly Real Life column by Fr Kevin Ryan.

MARJ LAVELLE
Unanderra, NSW