French Catholic Church is not much different than my COG.

Yesterday, was a  National Holiday in France.  Today was a National Holiday in France too, regarding the Catholic Church.  Tomorrow, Friday, there is not school or work either.  Because,
"It is silly to be off two days, go to work on Friday, then have the weekend. No one could really work on that Friday!"   So tomorrow is another declared Holiday.   America could learn a thing or too about that!

Today since it was a Catholic Holiday, we attended Mass and many children were baptized. The church was full of people!  I did not bring my camera, because I did not lthink it would be very reverant to take pictures during such an important service.  I will take pictures of the church on another day.

The whole mass was in French, of course.  Christophe (Marie's Dad) was nice enough to translate a lot of it for me.  I very much enjoyed the sermon.  It was full of wonderful teaching, and the priest referenced many, many scriptures.  The sermon focused on Jesus' ressurrection and John 10:10.
 "I have come that you may have life, and life more abundantly....

The priest talked about how wonderful Jesus's resurrection on the cross was, and the he came so we ALL may have abundant life, including children.  Then he proceeded to baptized the children!  It was very similiar to our baby dedications.  The children and families were all dressed up and stood at the front of the church, everyone in the congregation would clap.  Of course the children were only sprinkled with water, not dipped into a baptismal pool.

There was lots of singing throughout the service, too!  For those of you who know a thing or two about music, it was interesting, because they would sing a normal happy sounding chorus, and then suddenly it was almost Gregorian Chant sounding (not quite as intense though)  I could just tell the music was definitely still had munk influence.  Also after some choruses,  suddently one person would begin to sing in a recictative style, and then everyone would join in again on the main chorus.

All of the songs were in French, until suddendly one was in Latin!  Gloria! En excelsis deo!  It was not the familiar Christmas melody that we know, but still, I sang along proudly!  I was probably the loudest one singing at that moment because I was so excited I knew how to pronounce the words and was able to catch on to the melody quickly.

The presence of God was definitely at that church.  The people were very happy, and were clapping along with the songs, and were very attentive.




I knew that after the baptism service, we were invited to a party at the house of one of the children who was baptized.  I am picturing a nice potluck, and stay maybe for about an hour and a half to two hours max.  I was wrong...

We were there for 5 hours!  The party was outside---it almost reminded me of a wedding reception.  It was very very fancy, and decorated perfectly.  There were little tents with chairs, decorations, flowers, white chairs,  it was beautiful.  There was food all day long.  They kept bringing out different dishes.  I tried almost everything!  Somethings were better than others.  I chose to fill up on quiche and bread.  

At party, I got to meet Marie's school teacher.  She speaks very little English, so it was difficult when there was no one around to translate.  She is very happy I am coming and she is going to give me the music ahead of time to practice!  She tells me they have a flute as well, but I am thinking she means a recorder.  Either way, I can play both!  I am going to the school on Tuesday.



After about 3 hours into the party, when they had yet to serve dessert and NO ONE had left, I began to get very very sleepy.  The host of the party led me into a room where I took a nap on a couch.  I felt very rude, but she said it was no problem and every understands I was jet lagged!  I was so tired at that point I did not mind.  So I slept.   I believe I will still sleep just as good tonight!




Wonderful day today.  Sorry there are no pictures,  I did not think today was the day for that.

Off to play with Marie!