Annie and the Seven Sacraments Chapter Thirteen

Father Jim's Ordination

It was the day of Uncle Jimmy's ordination.
Annie was sitting in church, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Mother and Dad sat each to a side of her.
The children had been left with Mrs Mitchell, who had become a firm friend of hers.

The family took up quite a few of the front benches.
Grandpa and Granny Duncan sat in the first row.
It was strange to think of Grandpa Duncan as being the father of a priest.
He had a dreadful temper, which he often lost with his wife and children, though he always treated his sons- and daughter-in-law with a distant courtesy and was a dutiful if unenthusiastic grandfather to their children.
He was widely respected because of his generosity to the poor but Annie infinitely preferred her grandmother, who was softspoken and gentle, with a broad, creamy face, and who had once told her how much she loved Dad.
"Your father has always been such a loving and devoted son," she said.
"He's only ever given me love."

With a jolt Annie realised that everyone was standing.
She followed suit and opened her hymnal to join in the lovely words of the entrance hymn.
The gracious ceremony of ordination continued.
The Bishop introduced Uncle Jimmy to the congregation and spoke of the wonder of ordination.
He explained that God calls His people to follow Christ, and to become holy.
God has called us all from darkness into His marvellous light.
The Christian Church is the Body of Christ. 
This means that everybody belongs to God in a special way.

The Bishop went on to explain that God calls forth priests from His people to serve Him with dedication and honour, and to lead the people to holiness.
Priests dedicate their lives to preaching that God is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth, and that we all belong to Him.
Priests offer praise and prayer.
They explain the Gospels and the Bible so they can lead people with sureness to the right path to God.
Priests study the Gospels, Scriptures and subjects which help people to learn more about God.
Priests celebrate the Eucharist, and help people to live their lives well.

The time came for Uncle Jimmy to be ordained.
He knelt before the Bishop, who, in silence, laid his hands upon his head.
The Bishop ordained Uncle Jimmy, praying silently as he called on the Holy Spirit of God to ordain Uncle Jimmy.
Uncle Jimmy thereafter put on the ministerial vestments and knelt down in front of the Bishop, who handed him the Book of Gospels, saying;
"Receive the Gospel of  Christ, Whose herald you are.
Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practise what you teach."
Then the Bishop gave him the sign of peace.

The organist struck up the hymn "Praise my soul the King of Heaven."
Everyone stood up and sang from their hearts.
What a glorious sound it made, all those priests on the altar and all the people of God in the pews singing out their praise and thanks to God for the new labourer he had sent to the harvest.
Uncle Jimmy was radiant as he listened to the singing of the others.

After the hymn, the Bishop anointed Uncle Jimmy's hands with chrism oil.
When all had sung the hymn to the Holy Spirit of God that followed, the Bishop gave the chalice and paten to the young priest.
Then the new priest joined the Bishop and his fellow priests in offering Eucharist.

From where she sat, Annie could see the look on Granny Duncan's face as she received Holy Communion from the hands of her son.
She was very happy.
There was no mistaking the look of love on Father Jim's face as he gave the Host of Jesus to his mother.
Grandpa Duncan, looking as irascible as ever and only a little more red than usual, followed his wife, and Father Jim smiled tenderly as he gave his father the Holy Eucharist.
Annie followed shortly after, feeling privileged to receive Jesus from the hands of her very own uncle.

After Mass, Uncle Jimmy came and sought her out.
Father Jim cleared his throat and said: "It's a great source of joy and honour to be a priest, Annie, but I'll need prayers.
Will you pray for me?"
"I'll pray for you every day from now on, Uncle Jimmy," Annie promised.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evening had fallen when she went out to pick mulberry leaves for Herbie and Doreen and her schoolfriends.
After filling her plastic carrier to capacity, she rested her head against the tree stem.
She recalled the day, just over a year ago, when she had first learnt about the Church's seven sacraments.
Since then, she had been present at the celebration of each one of them.

Remembering her promise to pray for her uncle, she folded her hands and asked Jesus to guide him to be a good and faithful priest.
The path to belief in God of Mrs Benson and William had taught her that God is at work in all of us.
For God is our Father in Heaven, Who loves us totally.

The kitchen door opened and Annie could see her mother, framed in the doorway, anxiously looking out for her.
"Coming, Mom," she called.
Then armed with her bag of leaves, she slithered down the trunk of the mulberry tree and went back inside.

THE END

Image by Catherine Nicolette

Annie and the Seven Sacraments Chapter Twelve

The Duncans bought balloons for the party

Trudy has a Birthday

On Trudy's first birthday, Annie was sitting in the mulberry tree, picking leaves for her silkworms, Herbie and Doreen.
There was a craze on at school for owning silkworms and Annie's fellow pupils had their hands full, keeping their worms fed.

Annie was more fortunate than most; she didn't have to shop around.
All she did was climb the mulberry tree and pick leaves.
Yielding to the entreaties of her classmates, she filled a plastic bag to capacity with leaves each morning before leaving for school.
By the time she reached it, others would be queuing up, waiting for her.
It gave her a very important feeling.

When Annie had first asked permission to have silkworms of her own, Mother had said no.
She had enough problems without a silkworm invasion.
In the end Dad had persuaded her to allow Annie two of her own.

Now Annie noticed that Herbie wasn't eating any more.
He had spun himself into a yellow cocoon, but Doreen was munching mulberry leaves as if there was no tomorrow.
It was amazing to see how much mulberry one little silkworm could consume, though in actual fact Doreen was no longer tiny.
She was getting fatter by the day and small wonder, judging by the amount she ate.

The door of the neightbours' house opened and Annie watched Mrs Mitchell, their new neighbour, come out.
Mrs Smith had left the house to Mrs Benson and the Mitchells were paying a good rental, with the result that the housekeeper had finally been able to hang up her apron and her dustpan.
At present she was paying a visit to the parents of her son's fiancèe, who was soon to become his wife.

Father Tom's car stopped at their front gate.
Holding the bag with leaves in one hand, Annie skimmed down the mulberry tree and ran around the house to meet him.
Her Uncle Jimmy was to be ordained a priest the following week and Father Tom who was responsible for the arrangements, had become a frequent visitor.

He was as kind as ever, enquiring courteously after Herbie and Doreen.
"Only another week before your Uncle Jimmy's ordained, eh Annie?" Father Tom said.
"How does God call you to be a priest?" asked Annie.
"It differs from person to person.
I've wanted to be a priest since I was three," said Father.

Mother put her head around the door, Trudy on her arm.
Father Tom ruffled the baby's curly head.
"She's getting big.
How old is she now?"
"It's her birthday, Father.
She is one year old today," Annie offered eagerly.
"Happy birthday, little one.
So that's why she's looking so smart.
Is she having a party?"

Mother sighed.
"She is, I'm afraid.
Though what possessed me to arrange it is an enigma even to me.
I keep forgetting I've lost Mrs Benson's services."
"Yes, it was a blessing for her she got that legacy from Mrs Smith.
She must be so happy.
Now that she has gone away for her son's reception into the Church and his wedding, I miss her presence in my instruction classes.
She always wanted to know all the whys and wherefores."

"She thinks you're a wonderful teacher," Annie told him.
"I had a letter from her two days ago.
She says she can't wait to get back here after the wedding.
Now that William's becoming a Christian, nothing is holding her back any more, she wrote.
She always felt that it would be unfair for her to join a church if she hadn't even bother to baptise her own child but now that doesn't count any more."

Mother glanced at her watch.
"I've got to take my cake out of the oven.
Come in, Father."
"Sorry Monica, I've got some parishioners to visit.
I just came to check whether the catering for the dinner after Jimmy's ordination had been taken care of."
"Father, believe me, it's all under control.
Mother Duncan is organising everything and the way I know her there will be fourteen baskets of food left afterwards."
"I'll take your word for it.
Better get that cake out now before it burns and the baby's party's spoilt."
Mother hastily ran back indoors, Trudy crowing with delight on her arm.
Annie accompanied Father Tom to his car.

He was about to drive off when she remembered a question that had worried her.
"How can you tell if someone is called to be a priest, Father?"
Father Tom switched off his engine and said,
"Well, the first thing each of has has to ask ourselves is; Am I being called by Jesus?
The answer is a clear 'yes'.
Each of us is called by God to do something special for Him.
God has a project for each of us, a special path of life.
God created each of us with special care, gracing us with special gifts and blessings.

Sometimes He decides to call someone to do the task of being a priest.
A priest is a called to help people on their path towards God.
Someone called to be a priest will feel inside their heart that this is what God is calling them to do.
That is what I felt from my early years."

"What happens when a priest is ordained?"
"God blesses the priest to follow Him with special duties. 
The priest takes on the responsibility of teaching others the principles of Jesus Christ in the Gospels.
This links back to the great times of the Old Testament where under the Law, priests were dedicated to the service of God.
The priest celebrates the Eucharist as Jesus told us to at the Last Supper.
Bread and Wine are taken and after a special blessing called consecration, are shared out as the Body and Blood of Jesus.
This is a mystery.
The priest also assist people to turn towards God and change their lives for the better when things have gone wrong in the past.
It is a wonderful work, and requires dedication and love."

Father Tom looked at his watch.
"Goodness. I must fly.
I wish I had wings like the children in the spiritual.
Do you know it?
I got wings you got wings - all God's chillun got wings ..."

He raised his hand in greeting and drove off.
As Annie walked back to the house to go and help her mother, she softly sang:
"When I go to heaven gonna sing all the blues away, heaven, heaven.
Everybody's talkin' 'bout heaven and I'm going there, heaven, heaven!"

See link for song "All God's Chillun got wings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StRzrTywUaM

Annie and the Seven Sacraments - Chapter Eleven

Mrs Smith prepares for her final journey

Annie opened the gate Dad had erected between Mrs Smith's garden and their own.
"Stay behind Scamp," she told their spaniel which tried to follow her next door.
"Mrs Smith is sick.
I need you to stay behind and guard the gate for me till I return."
Her faithful dog wagged his tail, and lay down at the gate.
Scamp's trustful eyes followed Annie as she carried the basket Mother had prepared up to the kitchen door.
After knocking, she stood back until Mrs Benson opened the door.

"Hello Annie," the lady said.
There were few traces left of her former surliness.
For two months she had been Mrs Smith's inseparable companion, caring for her with the love of a sister.
Dad surmised that Mrs Benson was mellowing with old age.
Annie had her own theory.
She believed the caring attitude and life of faith in God lived by Mrs Smith was teaching Mrs Benson more about the meaning of Christianity than all the sermons and books she could have read on the topic would have done.

"Mrs Smith has had a very bad night," Mrs Benson was whispering now.
"She fell asleep a few minutes ago.
Maybe you'd better come back in an hour's time."
"Is that Annie at the door, Sally?" the patient's wavering voice called from the bedroom.
"I'm longing to see her.
Please bring her in."

Annie followed Mrs Benson into the bedroom and sat down on the chair beside the bed.
The patient reached our her hand for Annie's and for a moment they sat quietly, just holding hands and sending out waves of love to one another.
Then Annie whispered: "How are you feeling, Mrs Smith?"
"Fine, fine," the patient replied, though the look in her faded eyes belied the words.
"And how are you yourself?"
A tear made its appearance in the corner of Annie's eye and Mrs Smith spotted it.
"Please don't be sad because God will soon be coming to fetch me," the old lady begged.
"It's a wonderful thing to know that we will one day all be together in Heaven."

Annie managed to produce a watery smile.
Mrs Smith said to her, "You've always been so precious to me, like a daughter or granddaughter.
Annie, don't worry on my account.
I long so much for Heaven.
I so dearly want to meet our Lord face to face."

Mrs Benson had returned to the room. 
She had been making tea in the kitchen and was carrying the tray into the bedroom.
"Mrs Duncan has done us proud as always.
She's sent a basket with all sorts of treats for us ... what's the matter dear, aren't you well?"

Mrs Smith was lying back on the pillow, her eyes closed.
"I'd like Father to give me the Anointing of the Sick to support me through this time," she said.
"I'd like you and Annie to be present."
"Isn't she too young?"  Mrs Benson said, eyeing Annie with misgiving.
"Young as she is, she is a true Christian," Mrs Smith said.
"I want her to see for herself that Christians need have no fear of death.
It is only a birth into Heaven, the place where we will live forever with God.
It is a place where there is no sickness, ageing, war, pain or death.
It is a place of happiness and joy."

Annie gazed at Mrs Benson who had en expression of hopeless longing on her face.
Father was right, she realised suddenly.
Mrs Benson truly did want to learn about Christianity and the joy and hope it brings.

The telephone rang and Annie ran to answer it.
"Is that the Smith residence?" a male voice asked.
"Yes it is sir."
"Is Mrs Benson in?"
"She is. I'll call her for you."
"Please do. It's her son speaking. Thank you. Goodbye."
"It's a pleasure," Annie answered politely.

Annie went to call Mrs Benson.
"Your son William is on the line," she said.
At her words, a look of joy swept over Mrs Benson's face.
She went swiftly past Annie into the hall, where she snatched up the receiver and quavered, "Hello!"
"Shut the door won't you, Annie?" Mrs Smith requested.
Annie promptly obeyed.
What passed through the patient's mind as the two of them silently held hands, Annie could not guess.
But her own little heart was filled with sunshine on account of Mrs Benson's good fortune.
For surely William would not be telephoning his mother unless he had decided to bury the hatchet?

When Mrs Benson returned to the room, her face was radiant.
"William is going to become a Christian," she said.
"He and his fiancèe are attending the instructions together.
He will be received into the Church in a few months' time.
They intend to marry shortly afterwards.
And they have asked me to the wedding.
And now," Mrs Benson said, "I'll ring Father for you, Mary."

Ten minutes later the priest arrived.
He was putting a small white stole around his neck.
While waiting for him, Mrs Benson and Annie had laid a starched white cloth on the bedside table, on top of which they had placed a large candle on a candle holder, a small container with water, a small hand towel and another container filled with fresh wisps of cottonwool.

Annie knew that the ministry to those who are sick included the Anointing of the Sick.
This wonderful Sacrament is a means of grace provided by God by which He touches His people with His healing love and power.
These include the Scriptures, prayer, Holy Communion, the laying on of hands and anointing with chrism oil.
When this Sacrament is given, the Church works alongside the medical profession in continuing Jesus Christ's healing ministry.

The priest greeted the two women and the child, saying: "The peace of the Lord be with you."
"And also with you," Annie responded.
Father took out a flask of holy water, sprinkled some over Mrs Smith and then over the room, saying:
"Let this water call to mind your baptismal sharing in Christ's redeeming passion and resurrection."

Beautiful words of the Service of the Anointing of the Sick followed.
Annie and Mrs Benson left the room while Mrs Smith spoke to God with her confession, with Father Tom at her side.
Father Tom read from St James in the Scriptures, chapter 5 verse 14 ;
'Is anyone among you sick? 
Let them call the elders of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord.'

Father Tom prayed: "Lord, through this holy anointing, comfort Mary Smith with Your Love and Mercy."
He continued praying for Mrs Smith.
Mrs Benson and Annie responded "Lord hear our prayer".
It was easy for them to follow the service of spiritual comfort as Father had given them a booklet with the Service and responses.

In silence Father Tom laid his hands on the head of Mrs Smith.
The lady had shut her eyes and looked serene and peaceful.
Father took up the oil he had brought, dipped his thumb in the special chrism and blessed Mrs Smith's forehead and hands.

Annie's eye fell on the tea tray Mrs Benson had brought in after she had first arrived.
Nobody had had a cup of tea or anything to eat, what with William's telephone call, Mrs Smith's request for Father Tom and Father's arrival.
Father started the prayer of Jesus, the 'Our Father'.
To Annie's surprise Mrs Benson joined in, although she faltered a little with the words.

Mrs Smith reverently received Holy Communion.
Father Tom then came over to Annie and gave her Communion too.
Annie knelt down and prayed, her eyes shut tight.
After a time of quiet prayer where Jesus' Presence could be felt with peace and comfort among them in the room, Father Tom concluded the Sacrament.

Father then left the house.
Annie stayed with Mrs Benson and Mrs Smith for another while.
Then she too slipped away.
She did not say goodbye.
Neither did Mrs Benson, while Mrs Smith appeared to have sunk into sleep.
Annie heard Mrs Benson lock the kitchen door as she herself went into her own garden and climbed up the mulberry tree, embracing the stem.
She realised that it would not be long before God would send for Mrs Smith to join Him in Heaven.

Annie never saw Mrs Smith again.
She died peacefully, shortly after midnight, on the fifteenth of August, the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption into Heaven.

During the funeral held three days later, Annie sat with Mrs Benson.
Father spoke of Mrs Smith.
"It was always Mary's desire to die in her own house.
One of you here present today made this possible, for which all of us who loved her are profoundly grateful."

Annie smiled up at Mrs Benson, and was surprised to see tears gush down her face.
She reached out to hold her hand and Mrs Benson laid her workworn hand in Annie's little one.
When the funeral was over, Father Tom went to enter his vehicle.
"One minute please, Father," Mrs Benson called and he paused.
"Pray for me for courage, Annie," she said as she walked towards Father, Annie close on her heels.

"Father, please, if it's all right with you, I'd like to be instructed in the Christian faith," she said.
"May I telephone you later this week?"
And when Father Tom smiled his approval, Annie' heart lifted.

Edited by Catherine Nicolette
Watercolour image by Catherine Nicolette

Annie and the Seven Sacraments - Chapter Ten

Annie's Cousin is Confirmed

Peter, Uncle Hugh's son, was one of Annie's dearest cousins. He was a senior at the Brothers' school and this fact brought Annie a lot of prestige, especially among the older girls at the Convent.
Another reason why Annie felt particularly close to Peter was because he was Dad's godson.
He had been born and baptised before Dad and Mother started going out together but Mother was as fond of him as Dad was.

"Uncle Pat, you've got to be sponsor for my confirmation," Peter had said to Dad at the reception after the wedding of Aunt Theresa.
"I was getting worried in case you'd never ask," Dad had said, slapping his young nephew on the back.
A few weeks later, Peter came to visit the family on his bicycle to discuss Dad's duties for the big day.
Since then, Dad had already attended a few meetings for parents and sponsors of the confirmation candidates.
Peter himself had been going to confirmation classes ever since the beginning of the year.
Now, eight months later, his confirmation was nearly at hand.

"Is Father Tom going to confirm you?" Annie asked.
"No," said Peter, "the Bishop is coming over to do that."
"Why is that?"
"That's the way it's done, Annie," Dad explained.
"The Bishop is the usual Minister of Confirmation."

Peter, who was full of new knowledge about the Sacrament, explained to Annie how it was conferred, that the Bishop extended his hands over the candidates, praying that they might receive the Holy Spirit and that the anointing of the forehead with chrism in the form of a cross signified that the Christian who is confirmed must always be ready to profess the Christian faith openly and to practise it wisely and with devotion.

Dad was listening with interest.
"You're taking me back to my own confirmation," he said.
"I was only about seven or eight at the time and we didn't have much of a preparation course.
Tell me more about Confirmation."
"The anointing received during Confirmation gives strength to bear difficult times for the love of God," Peter said.
"And we are reminded by the Sacrament to be courageous and faithful witnesses to God in our lives."

That night in bed, Annie lay thinking about her cousin and the beautiful Sacrament so soon to be conferred on him.
It seemed to her a great privilege to be confirmed as a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ.

It always had, ever since their teacher had taught the class about Saint Tarcisius, the young boy, carrying the Sacred Host to Christians.
As the time went by and the ceremony came closer, Annie prayed frequently for her cousin.
When the day itself arrived, she took her place beside her father, in the pews behind the confirmation candidates.
Mother and the boys had gone to early Mass, because Trudy, who was becoming livelier every day, could not be trusted to keep still during so long a ceremony.

With fervour Annie joined in the entrance hymn, the words of which she knew off by heart.
The bishop looked splendid.
He was accompanied by Father Tom and another priest, Father Timothy, as well as lay ministers and several altar servers.
"Thou who art sevenfold in Thy Grace," the people were singing.
Annie knew what that meant.
Dad had explained that the words referred to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit of God, which are wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence and the spirit of wonder and awe in God's Presence.

She looked at Peter, who was standing in the pew in front of them, praying earnestly.
Inspired by his example, she turned back to the altar and followed the proceedings with as much reverence and concentration as she could muster.

After a sermon by the Bishop, the candidates rose to be questioned.
They undertook to reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises.
They renewed the vows taken on their behalf at their baptism and confirmed their belief in each of the twelve articles of the Creed.

Confirmation resembled baptism in many ways, Annie found, especially when the Bishop said: 
"This is our faith.
This is the faith of the Church.
We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Shortly afterwards it was time for the candidates to come up one by one, accompanied by thier sponsors.
Annie stood aside to let Dad pass.
He was very much moved, she could see, and she pressed his hand as he stepped into the aisle to join Peter.

Though the bishop spoke in a low voice, Annie could clearly hear the words he said as he anointed her cousin by tracing a cross on his forehead after dipping his own right thumb into the chrism.
Peter had chosen a saint's name instead of using his own baptismal one.
He had read about St Michael the Archangel and developed a great devotion to him.
The Bishop said: "Michael, receive the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit," and Peter responded: "Amen."
The Bishop then said: "Peace be with you."
"And with you," Peter replied.

As the people who had been confirmed returned to their seats, the organist played a beautiful voluntary.
After the ceremony, the intercessions were read out.
Then the Bishop prayed to God to grant that His Work begun at Pentecost might continue to grow in the hearts of all believers; after which Mass continued.

When the newly confirmed rose again, this time to receive Communion, Annie almost envied them.
They were now adult Christians, responsible for their own faith.
She too would one day be confirmed, having strengthened her baptismal promises in public and knowingly having chosen to be a disciple of Jesus and members of His Church.
Meanwhile Annie made up her mind to spend more time in prayer and to start performing small acts of kindness, healthy self-discipline and caring towards others, in order to show God how much she loved Him.

Guitarists broke into the rousing hymn: "God's Spirit is in my heart," as the newly confirmed filed out.
Family groups gathered everywhere around their own sons, daughters and other newly baptised.

Peter stood inside the circle of his relatives.
He was smiling broadly and posed cheerfully for all the photographs, but still there was a new air about him; a quiet determination Annie had not seen in him before.
"Good for you, Peter Michael," she said, shaking his hand with vigour.
"May you be a wonderful disciple of Jesus, now and always."

Peter squeezed his cousin's hand very tightly and said in a most serious way:
"Thanks, Annie, I certainly do intend to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I can think of nothing in this world more challenging and exciting."

And, as he made this calm and confident statement, the people around them fell silent and became thoughtful.

Edited by Catherine Nicolette
Watercolour image by Catherine Nicolette

Annie and the Seven Sacraments - Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine
William writes to his mother

The day after the wedding, the entire Duncan family overslept.
"We'll all just have to go to Mass this evening," Mother said drowsily when Annie, who was the first to wake up, called her half an hour before morning Mass was due to start.
"Trudy did wake up at six and I gave her a bottle but I was still so sleepy.
I thought I'd have another few minutes and look at the time it is now ..."

"Nonsense," Dad said briskly.
"You stay in bed for a while.
You look really tired.
You can go on your own tonight.
Annie and I'll go to church now and take the boys with us.
Annie, let's have a race.
I'll dress Jimmy, you dress Jerry.
I'll give you and Jerry the bathroom for eight minutes only."
"Bless your heart," Mother murmured sleepily and promptly went back to sleep.

Twenty-nine minutes later exactly, the Duncans filed into church.
From their respectable appearance, nobody could have guessed at the race against time that had taken place over the past half hour.
Father Tom said Mass and asked the parishioners to remember the sick, especially Mrs Smith and a few other people who were known to the congregation.
After Mass Dad went over to speak to him.
The priest and her father looked very concerned as they spoke.
Annie realised they were discussing her sick neighbour.
She put Jerry and Jimmy into the car, promised them an apple if they behaved themselves and went to join her father and Father Tom.

"Ah Annie," the latter said kindly.
He turned back to Dad.
"Thanks a lot, Pat," he said.
"I knew I could rely on you."
He said goodbye and moved over to a couple with a baby who were waiting to speak to him.
"Has Father been talking to you about Mrs Smith, Dad?"
"He has indeed Annie.
It's a sad business."

After a cursory glance at his car, he sat down on a bench in the Church grounds.
"Mrs Smith is dying, isn't she, Dad?"
"I'm afraid so, honey."
Annie felt the tears rise to her eyes and swallowed the lump forming in her throat, before asking:
"Is she going to hospital?"
Mrs Smith had been to hospital on two or three occasions during the past weeks.
Mrs Benson had gone in every day to open the curtains and close them again.
It had been terribly lonely and sad without the sense of her presence next door.
Annie's heart grew cold at the thought of losing her forever.

"That's just the problem," Dad was saying.
"Father said that Mrs Smith has told him that she doesn't want to die in hospital, but at home.
She is suffering a great deal of pain, but it could be arranged that the Clinic Sisters would take it in turns to come in daily with her injections.
However, she cannot be left all alone in that big house any longer.
Someone will have to stay  with her day and night.
The question is: Who?"
 "Why can't you ask Mrs Benson?"
"That crabby woman?"
Hasn't Mrs Smith enough to suffer without looking at that grim face?" Dad asked, and this time he wasn't even pretending to be joking.
"Dad, I've got to talk to you about Mrs Benson," Annie said firmly.
"You don't like her and it shows.
That's why she's nasty to you.
I've been very kind to her for a long time and she's always quite kind to me now.
Besides, she quite often looks in on Mrs Smith and she always tidies up."

Dad was quiet, a strange expression on his face.
Had Annie been older, she would have recognised it for what it was, a sense of shame that a young child should be teaching him about the kindness which he as an adult Christian often failed to observe.
But Annie did not know he was feeling that way.
She was talking again.
"Dad, ask Mrs Smith if she would consider getting a mobile phone.
Then Mrs Benson can ring Mother whenever she needs help or advice.
If Mrs Smith can't pay for it, surely we can?
Or otherwise Father Tom can ask some people in the parish to help."

"Mrs Smith is far from poor," Dad observed.
"She has never liked phones.
That's why she never got one.
The money will be no problem for her."
"Well then, you can also make a gate in the fence between Mrs Smith's house and ours, so that Mother and I can bring them their meals."
"But Mrs Benson can't keep two houses clean."
"In that case we'll just have to clean our own.
I can keep my room tidy and look after the boys.
You can also do a lot to help Mother."

"How simple and uncomplicated you make it all sound," Dad said.
"I promised Father to see what I could do but I didn't really know how to go about it.
You've made it all seem crystal clear.
Where does Mrs Benson live?"
"In the municipal flats behind the shopping centre."
"Maybe she can move into one of Mrs Smith's bedrooms.
Thanks for showing me the way, Annie.
But first let's ask Mother if she will spare Mrs Benson."

Annie knew her mother would only be too pleased to share the services of her housekeeper with one who needed them so much more.
After his discussion with Mother, Dad telephoned Mrs Smith's closest relatives, who promised to notify the others.
He arranged for a mobile phone for Mrs Smith.
Another friend agreed to help with putting in a gate between the two houses.
Then, looking somewhat apprehensive, he asked Annie to accompany him to Mrs Benson's flat.

He appeared distincly uncomfortable as he knocked on the front door and the lady seemed surprised as she invited them in.
Mrs Benson's flat was the cleanest place she had ever seen, Annie reflected, but it wasn't very homely, neither could the smell of detergents and polish be said to enhance the atmosphere.

After Dad had explained the problem to Mrs Benson, she readily agreed to take care of Mrs Smith.
The idea had occurred to her already, she explained, but she hadn't wanted to suggest it since she needed the salary Dad paid her.
Dad cleared his throat.
"Naturally your salary will continue," he said formally, "and my wife asks if you will please come back to us afterwards."
He offered to give Mrs Benson a lift to Mrs Smith's house once she had packed, but she replied that she would only take an overnight bag for the time being and would be quite happy to walk the little distance.
"May I walk with you then?" Annie asked.
The lady agreed and Dad, looking relieved, left to make his own way home.

After the door had closed behind him, Mrs Benson turned to Annie.
"I got a letter from William yesterday," she said without preamble.
"It was lying in my post box after I came back from Mrs Smith's house."
Afraid of stemming the flow of information, Annie looked interested but made no reply.
The silence deepened before it was broken again by Mrs Benson.
"He asked for his baptismal certificate.
It seems he is going out with a girl and is thinking about marriage.
It seems they want the certificate at the church."
"And he isn't baptised?" Annie asked.
"No he isn't," Mrs Benson sighed.
"What shall I tell him now?"
"To consider following Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and becoming a Christian."
"A Christian!" Mrs Benson cried, looking horrified.
"I'm one," Annie shrugged, "We don't bite."

A rusty chuckled bubbled from Mrs Benson's lips.
She gave Annie a look which was even stranger than the one she had got from Dad outside Church.
Then the woman said::
"Annie, Annie. When they made you, they must have thrown away the mould.
There are times when you remind me of your father.
At others you resemble your mother.
But the likeness is only superficial in both cases.
You're an original.
You're quite unique."

Who'd have thought Mrs Benson could thaw like that?
Pity Dad wasn't there to see it, Annie thought.
"Can a person break a vow?" the housekeeper asked unexpectedly.
"I don't think so, "Annie replied. "Why?"
"Well, William's father was a Christian and left me shortly before his son was born.
The day he left, I took a vow that I'd never have the baby baptised."

"That vow wasn't according to Jesus' teaching," Annie countered.
"Anyway, William's big now and if he gets baptised you won't be breaking it."
Another chuckle, a little less rusty this time.
"Let me write to him straightaway," Mrs Benson said.
"We can post the letter at the box on the corner of your street.
I've still got some stamps and at least I have his address now."

After she had completed her letter, she quickly packed a small suitcase, knocked on a neighbour's door to tell her where she might be reached in case of emergency and then led the way down the narrow flight of stairs to the street.
Annie duly posted the letter on the way and followed her into Mrs Smith's house where they found Mother chatting to the lady.

Mrs Smith was up and dressed, to Annie's surprise.
When she saw Mrs Benson, she exclaimed: "My guardian angel!"
"I've been called a lot of names in my life," the housekeeper remarked drily.
"Until now, angel wasn't one of them."

"I mean it," Mrs Smith insisted.
"I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for coming and to Monica for sparing you.
It's thanks to the two of you and the Clinic Nurses I can stay at home."
"The pleasure is mine, Mrs Smith," Mrs Benson said with a kindness Annie had never known her to display.
"Mary please, we can't be so formal if we're to live under the same roof."
"And my name is Sally," Mrs Benson replied, almost shyly.

"Why don't I send you a nice hot supper?" Mother asked.
"I've still got lasagne in my deep freeze.
My mother overcatered for the wedding."
Upon which note she and Annie left the house.
Once outside, Mother drooped.
"Why do you look so sad now, Mom?" Annie asked.
"Just now you were so cheerful."

Mother put her arm around her shoulders.
"We weren't really so happy," she explained.
"It was just our way of showing you and each other that when life hands you a lemon, you make lemonade."

Somehow Annie felt happier when she went to bed that night.
It was good to know that the two ladies were going to be looking after one another.
Mrs Smith would be cared for by Mrs Benson and no doubt she would be praying very hard for her.
Annie, who had been feeling there was a load on her shoulders, now felt as if the burden had been lightened.

Annie and the Seven Sacraments - Chapter Eight

Aunt Theresa's Wedding Day

In the months that followed Annie's First Holy Communion, wedding preparations reached a fever pitch.
The material for Aunt Theresa, the bride, and Annie as her bridesmaid was bought and Annie had to have no fewer than three fittings before the dressmaker was satisfied with her dress.
Mrs Smith, despite becoming more frail, baked a magnificent wedding cake and iced it to perfection.
Granny Eckton, who was doing the catering for the wedding herself, was preparing food already and storing it in her own deep freeze and in that of Annie's family as well.

"I feel like a bite of lasagne," Dad told Mother one day.
"Nobody in the world makes lasagne the way your mother does.
Do you think anyone would notice if I pinched some from the deep freeze?"
He was almost certainly joking but Mother was taking no chances.
"Pat, you just dare!" she said in such a threatening voice that Dad threw up his arms in a gesture of surrender.

During the final week before the ceremony, things appeared to quieten down a little.
The hall had been hired.
The photographer had been booked and a band engaged for the reception.
By the time the hairdresser appointments had been made, time was lying heavily on everyone's hands.
Flowers could only be arranged on the day before the wedding and everything else was ready.

Aunt Theresa spent a lot of time at the Duncans' house.
She was as excited as she could possibly be.
So was Annie,who could barely wait for the big day to arrive.
On Friday evening she helped to decorate the hall and arrange flowers in the Church.
The bridal party had a practice for the ceremony with Father Tom, and Annie got to bed after ten that night.

Next morning the sun shone brightly.
"A perfect day for a wedding," Mother smiled as she opened Annie's curtains.
"I've always loved my little sister so dearly. 
I only want her happiness."
"Uncle John is a very nice person," Annie said.
Mother nodded.
"Yes he is, thank goodness. 
My, is that the time..." and Mother went out of the room.

That afternoon, Aunt Theresa and Annie, looking like two princesses, arrived at the church door.
Annie could hardly believe that this beautiful bride was her very own auntie, so young at heart and such fun to know.
Aunt Theresa looked very composed, dignified and sophisticated.
Because Grandfather Eckton had died years ago, she had asked Dad to walk her in to the church to the strains of the Wedding March.
As they reached the front pew and stopped in front of Father Tom, Uncle John stepped out and gave Aunt Theresa the most radiant smile in the world.

Father Tom welcomed the bride and groom and their guests.
In a few words he explained how the Sacrament of Marriage is a gift from God, and a public declaration of love and commitment.
This declaration is made in front of family and friends in Church.
The married couple will thus have the support of the Christian Church family. 

Father Tom went on to explain that including God in the marriage means the married couple will know they can look to God for His Love, Help and Guidance.
The Sacrament of Marriage also includes the couple's commitment to lovingly care for their children.

As the time drew near for the vows to be exchanged, bride and groom knelt down on the decorated kneelers.
Annie stole a look at her mother, though it meant having to turn her head a little.
Fortunately, the people were all watching the groom and bride.
All but Mrs Benson, for sure enough, there she was, dressed again in a smart suit worn with a matching hat.
She was watching Annie in disapproval and signalled her to look forward.
Annie quickly turned her head back.
She was pleased that Mrs Benson had come to the wedding.

Father Tom stood as priest representing Christ and Church, as groom and bride exchanged their vows with each other.
Uncle John and Aunt Theresa promised each other to be faithful in good times and bad;
in sickness and health;
for richer and for poorer;
and to truly love and honour each other for their whole lives. 
Father Tom then acknowledged that Uncle John and Aunt Theresa had declared their consent to be married,  and he prayed for God's blessing on them.
He then reminded that as God had blessed their marriage, it should not be divided.

The exchanging of the rings provided an anxious moment for Annie who carried both rings on a small cushion, upholstered in the same blue satin and white lace as her dress.
To her infinite relief, all went off well.
The Holy Eucharist was celebrated, and Aunt Theresa and Uncle John received Holy Communion.
Annie was the first to receive Holy Communion after the bridal couple and she shut her eyes tightly and prayed that her aunt and uncle would find happiness in their married lives.
The couple then received the special marriage blessing.
The spirit of emotion now turned to one of good cheer as the happy couple and their witnesses signed the registry book.
Then they went outside to the strains of organ music.

Once outside, Annie found herself standing next to Mrs Benson.
"Are you coming with us to the hall?" she asked.
"No, I'm going to sit with Mrs Smith.
She asked me especially," was the reply.
"She'll be wanting to know all about the wedding, as she was not well enough to come herself."
She hurried away, and Annie spent her time at the reception posing for photographs, listening to long speeches and keeping Jerry and Jimmy out of mischief.

She was glad when Father Tom came over to greet her.
"I have been at four Sacraments so far this year," she told Father Tom.
"First we had Trudy's Baptism, then my Confession and Communion and now the Wedding.
There are going to be two more soon; my uncle's Ordination and my cousin's Confirmation.
That means I'll have been at six out of the seven sacraments in about one year."

After Annie spoke to Father Tom, she realised why she was starting to feel tired; it was getting late.
She was glad when the bride and groom departed and her parents called her to go home with them.


Edited by Catherine Nicolette
Photograph by Catherine Nicolette copyright free

Annie and the Seven Sacraments - Chapter Seven

Luky after her First Holy Communion in Holland

Chapter Seven

Jesus enters Annie's heart

Annie would never know how and when she finally got to sleep on the night before her first Holy Communion.
At supper she barely ate or drank.
She neither read books nor played with her brothers.
All she wanted was to go to her room and think her thoughts.

It wasn't to be as easy as that.
Mother was frantically busy; rushing to and fro and getting nothing done as far as Annie could see.
Mrs Smith came in, carrying a magnificently iced cake.
It had a little girl on top.
The girl was dressed in a white dress and veil.
"Congratulations to Annie," Mrs Smith had piped on top of the cake in gold lettering.

Annie had her work cut out to prevent Jerry and Jimmy from tucking into the cake.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the little rascals had been bathed and put to bed.
She helped Mother bathe little Trudy, and stood beside her cot, holding her pink and chubby little hand until she fell asleep.
Then Mother, Dad and Annie laid out everyone's clothes for the next morning and tidied the last few things away.
In the end Dad had looked at his watch and said: "Goodness, you girls had better go to bed or we'll all oversleep.
It's past ten and Annie has to be at the church hall by twenty past seven in the morning."

Even in bed Annie got no rest.
Excitement and joy filled her mind at the thought that on the following day Jesus Himself would enter her heart for the very first time.
She had tried to explain the meaning of Holy Communion to Mrs Benson.
Ignoring the old housekeeper's exaggerated sighs and raised eyebrows, she had told her that Holy Communion is the receiving of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
"You see, Mrs Benson, at the Last Supper Jesus blessed and broke bread.and shared it with His disciples. He also blessed and shared wine. 
He told the disciples that the bread and wine had become His Body and Blood."
"It sounds farfetched to me," Mrs Benson commented.
"No," said Annie, "It's a divine mystery."
And she - usually so timid with the housekeeper - said this with conviction. 

For once Mrs Benson had subsided.
Annie prayed daily for the lady, and for her son, whose name, she had discovered, was William.
Annie had tried to find out as much as she could about William, but the housekeeper seldom divulged any information, beyond saying in a tightlipped sort of way that William had been a chip off the old block, a no-good like his father, that he had left home after graduation and that he had never bothered about her since.
In the beginning he had still sent the occasional card around Christmas and her birthday; now he didn't even do that any more.
"I was brought up to be a lady but life turned me nasty," Mrs Benson had unexpectedly added before turning abruptly and leaving the room.

Annie had told Dad about it.
If she had hoped this might cause him to grow fonder of his sparring partner, such hope was doomed to disappointment.
He had been highly amused but unimpressed.
"So she knows she is difficult, eh?
Well who'd have thought it?
That old character never fails to surprise me," had been his only comment.
Much though she deplored his attitude to Mrs Benson, Annie had wasted no time pointing out to him the error of his ways.
If Mrs Benson herself admitted she was a cross person, this was a step in the right direction for her, she felt.

When Annie, dressed like a little snowflake in the dress on which her mother had spent so much time, effort and worry, joined her fellow catechism pupils outside the church hall next morning, she spoke very little.
Granny Eckton, Uncle John and Aunt Theresa came over to congratulate her.
Annie smiled into Uncle John's camera as he took a photo.
When they left her, she started to think about the wonderful miracle that would take place within the next hour.

At a quarter to eight, the Communicants filed into church, with Father Tom and the altar servers.
As they entered, the organist started playing; "Suffer little children to come unto me."
Mother was smiling as Annie passed her pew and Dad gave his daughter a great big wink.
Who was that lady in the smart grey suit, staring resolutely ahead of her?
Passing her, Annie grabbed her housekeeper's hand, squeezed it tight and whispered: "Thanks for coming, Mrs Benson."
She didn't feel hurt when she was loftily ignored.
Like Mother, she was getting to know that Mrs Benson's cross ways were often used as a mask to hide her true feelings.

There were small chairs in front of the altar and the Communicants took their places.
A delicate fragrance of flowers pervaded the church.
Annie could not remember ever having seen so many flowers and candles at one time before, even before Christmas.

Father Tom welcomed the congregation and began to pray the Mass.
Annie followed him as best she could in the little first Communion prayerbook that had been her gift from her parents.
Then Father Tom went up to the pulpit and adjusted the microphone.
How old and good and kind he looked.
Annie did not yet know what the words "an aura of dignity" meant but she recognised this quality as he looked down on the Communicants.
He made the sign of the cross and started his sermon.
"My dear boys and girls.
Today is one of the most important days in your lives.
As long as you live, you will remember this day to some degree; the fragrance of the flowers, the sound of the organ music, the style of the dress or suit you wore.
The memory of today will live with you for the rest of your lives, in some form or other.

"In a few minutes from now, Jesus Himself will enter your hearts in Holy Communion."
Father Tom fixed his reading glasses firmly on his nose.
Then he said: "My dear children, today my prayer for you is the one offered up for my own First Holy Communion class by my parish priest nearly sixty years ago.
May Jesus always find within your hearts a place of peace and happiness.
We rejoice with you as through Communion you share in God's divine life."

The church was very quiet when Father left the pulpit to continue to pray the Mass.
Annie opened her prayerbook again and carefully followed his prayers and actions, particularly when the moment of Consecration arrived.
With great reverence, Father Tom repeated the wonderful words from the Holy Bible in which Jesus began the Holy Eucharist.
Silver bells pealed joyfully as Father Tom held up the consecrated Bread after genuflecting.

When Annie received Communion, her heart overflowed with joy.
She welcomed Jesus as God into her heart and into her life in a very special way.
She also asked Him never to leave her, and she promised never to leave Him.
Communion was the bond between her and God forever.

As she went back to her seat, the organist started playing the beautiful music, "All that I am."
The choir raised their voices and sang the words.
"All that I am, all that I do.
All that I'll ever have, I offer now to you.
All that I dream, all that I pray,
All that I'll ever make, I give to you today.
Take and sanctify these gifts,
For your honour, Lord;
Knowing that I love and serve you,
Is enough reward."
And Annie, kneeling down happily and praying, promised Jesus that everything she ever did from now on would be in honour of Him as a sign of her love for Him as God.

After Mass, as she left the church, she promised Jesus she would often come to Holy Communion because she loved Him.
Then she arrived outside and was being hugged and kissed by Mother, Dad, Dad's parents, Granny Eckton and a lot of uncles, aunts and cousins.
"Where's Mrs Benson?" she asked.
"Gone home," said Dad.
Mother held out a parcel, beautifully wrapped, which she had taken from her bag.
"Here Annie, this is for you.
Mrs Benson gave it to me yesterday.
She told me to hand it to you after Mass today."

Annie unwrapped the parcel to find a little silver cross and chain, a symbol of being a Christian.
She gasped in admiration.
It was a lovely present to receive after the wonder of her First Holy Communion.


Why not watch The Last Supper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997ni1xcmKw

Song 'All that I am'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RJTyhqryAU

With thanks to Youtube, Mormon Channell and the illustrious Sebastian Temple