Tuesday 30 March 2010

2010:365:89 Tuesday in Holy Week

There are ten minuted left of lunch time before I brave the elements in wet and wintry Belfast to take a private Holy Communion to one of the parishioners.  This week is the great delight of going from private houses, nursing care and residential homes with this special service.  Some folk who, in ordinary conversation are often hesitant and confused, come alive and say the entire service with you.
At my ordination I was given the private communion set that I use - and it came with beautiful linen as well.  The Celtic Cross embroidery pleases me - it has a beautiful simplicity.
The linen is sparkling white although this picture makes it look rather dull.
The pall is from the estate of one of the first of the English women priests and had been part of her home communion set.  It reminds me of her (Paddy) and it also has intricate embroidery surrounding the letters "IHS" reminding us of the name of Jesus.  
Nearly everybody has a little table sitting out ready for me to use for the bread and wine.  We keep it very simple - just a single candle, the chalice and paten.  
Since Lay-Zee hasn't appeared for a day or two it seemed a good idea to take a picture with him and his friend Lay-About.  Once this busy week is over I'll think about taking them to some interesting places.  Right now I'm going to get on with sermon preparation!  

O God,
who by the passion of your blessed Son made
an instrument of shameful death
to be for us the means of life:
Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ,
that we may gladly suffer pain and loss
for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.  Amen. 


Book of Common Prayer
Collect of Tuesday in Holy Week.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful communion set and 'yes' I can imagine that you are enjoying this week visiting people.