… one of the coffee urns at the house is somehow lacking a cord, and after discussing sending someone to Radio Shack or Benny’s to pick up another one, someone says, “Why don’t we call church? You know they have one.”
You know. “The Catholic Church”. It’s in the yellow pages.
And naturally, one of us “calls church”, talks to the priest – a well-known family friend, who of course says, “Yes, we have a cord you can borrow … come on up …”
So one of us drives up to the rectory, knocks on the door, and there is the priest holding a coffee urn cord for us to borrow for the massive baby shower about to unfold at the house. “We’ll bring it back at the 8 o’clock mass. Okay?” “Okay.”
You can leave your small village in County Mayo, and live elsewhere, and yes, my ancestors did so, but on some level, you bring it with you.
Just call church. You know they’ve got a ton of coffee urns up there.
That’s just classic.
Works with the Lutherans too! Ah… small towns!
This is going to sound so reductive, but you’ll know what I mean: that is so Irish!
Catherine – Ha!!!! I know! Cliches are based in truth, right??
That is hilarious. There’s probably a special place in Hell for people who don’t return coffee urn cords to church, don’t you think?
Coincidentally, this morning during the homily when Father was talking about how many Catholic churches there are in Rhode Island and what they look like (comparing them to those in Vermont–long story relating to Passiontide), I thought of you, Sheila. Sounds like a fantastic gathering of the clan you had!
Kate – hahaha Unfortunately, the comedy of errors continues: My aunt, who also brought down a coffee urn, took the church’s cord back with her up to New Hampshire, thinking it went with HER urn! Argh!!
And that’s so neat and coincidental that Rhode Island’s churches were mentioned in the homily at your church!
My church is rather sleek and modern – not really my style – I like old-school churches, and I’d actually prefer the whole damn thing to still be in Latin … but whatever, I’ve been going to that church since I was an amoeba.
That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard. And strangely comforting.
Congrats on the baby neice or nephew (or cousin)!
Nightfly – my sister is pregnant. It’ll be a new niece/nephew – and a cousin for Cashel!
Alex – it is strangely comforting, isn’t it?
Coffee urn cord drama continues!!! My mom still hasn’t forgiven the cousin who borrowed her urn and returned it cracked (without telling her).
Modern church, huh? I don’t think I’ll mention that to my (Italian) pastor–he’ll claim it’s (Irish) sabotage. :)
My home town is a university town. That’s probably why the church is modern. Shrug.
Oh, good Lord, we’re about to have one of those get-togethers in my family! It’s not until the end of April, actually, but the caravan is already forming to transport the required potato salads and hand-knit baby blankets and my grandfather’s christening gown (which has been in the care of my cousin Bridget since her youngest was born), along with assorted sisters, cousins, and aunts. The calendar of saints has been consulted with regard to suitable names. The mother-to-be married into the family…I can only hope someone has warned her!