Dear Parishioners:

I call it the Wacky Wandering Candlestick Caper. You might have noticed that a couple of weeks ago, I decided to initiate what I thought to be a rather slight change in the environment for Mass. I mused that it would be good to have a little asymmetry in the décor just to spice things up a bit. So for the sake of variety, I moved a candlestick from one side of the altar to the opposite side so that both candlesticks would be situated together. I then elevated one candlestick to give it a little height and thus create a kind of multi-level effect. Then I placed two plants in front of them to create a little depth. Little did I know that in doing so, it would be the beginning of an amusing little adventure.

It seems that in rather mysterious ways and at rather odd moments, the candlestick keeps wandering back to its original location. I’m convinced a little troll or a mischievous gremlin is behind it!

Just a day after I moved the candlestick, I walked into the church for a weekday morning Mass and noticed that the candle had made its way back to its previous spot. I smiled, and moved it back to the little arrangement I had made next to the other candle. A couple of days later, prior to one of the Saturday Vigil Masses, it again mysteriously returned to the original spot! I smiled and moved it once again next to the other candlestick. This repeated a couple of other times throughout the week. This past Sunday, I walked into the church and all was well. The Mass began as usual, I walked up in procession, began the Eucharistic celebration, and low and behold, the candle had transported itself once again to its original location! I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself in great amusement. You’d think I would learn my lesson and just leave well enough alone, but I can be a little stubborn, so after Mass I just simply moved it back!

We are creatures of habit. I’m sure that since the candlesticks had been on either side of the altar for so long, most people have surmised that if it’s any other way, then they are certainly out of place. I know that is why the candles keep moving. Yet despite everything, I’ve gotten a big kick out of this game of back and forth.

Let it never be said that life in the Church boring! So many of these little things always keep it interesting! Its good when we can find humor in the midst of our life of faith! God bless!

Fr. Paul