Interesting Church Story

I will probably not update this everyday...but today I had to update with our church experience.

Joe and I were Eucharistic Ministers today (my last 'official' day on the schedule for a while - for obvious reasons). The priest that was celebrating mass today is a nice, older, Italian man - Father Massino. We haven't seen him for some time. Well, we lined up to walk into the church as per the usual. He holds each set of Eucharistic Ministers until he is ready to send us down the aisle. He smiles at me, nods to my tummy, and then gives my tummy a blessing including the sign of the cross on it. Very nice. He sends us down the aisle. Mass starts normally.

Well, we get to homily time of mass and he decides to tie pregnancy into the homily (not sure it really went with the rest of it - but okay). When he is done, he stands up on the altar (he gives the homily from a chair in front of the altar due to bad back/legs), gestures to me with a HUGE smile and pats his tummy. I smile back and nod. Breathe a sigh of relief because he often brings people up with him or makes them stand up. I leaned over to Joe and said, "At least he didn't make me stand up!!"

I spoke too soon. Next thing I know, the bread and wine are being brought to the altar (I was trying to sing & Joe was asking me a question) and I feel Father looking at us again...yup, he gestured to me to go stand with him infront of the entire church!!!! He stopped the procession of the gifts so that he could have me stand with him. I turn bright red and go. He pats my tummy again and gives me a kiss while encouraging the rest of the congregation to sing with his other arm. Joe looked like he was going to crawl under the pew.

Ok. This was a very nice gesture. He said something about praying for me and the baby, etc. It is nice to know that the church was offering up a special prayer for me...but just slightly embarrassing. We do our part in the mass of giving out the communion and mass is just about over. I breathe another sigh of relief that Father was done with pointing me out...but no. He wasn't.

He wishes everyone a happy Sunday and then says, "Is this weekend Labor Day? Not that I've ever been in labor like she will be." Again pointing to me!!!

He seemed so happy with himself. He had this smile on his face like a proud grandpa or great-grandpa in his case. I have to say, I walked out happy knowing that we had the church praying for us (but also a little embarrassed). Father really was happy with all this. I've learned first hand that you really never do know what he is going to do.

On the walk out of church, I noticed quite a few people smiling at me. They were probably thinking, there goes that pregnant lady...look at her waddle...she really does need our prayers...she is going to pop any minute now!!