2. Holy Chrismation (2010): Kate Hendry

St. Elias Church (Ukrainian Greek-Catholic), Brampton, ON Canada. www.saintelias.com Kate's Story (Part 2) The next week I met Panyi Matka Irene who told me she would help prepare me for baptism, and I found out I could take the GO bus from my home in Acton and the driver would stop at Heritage Road! Now, I didn't have to rely on getting a ride to church anymore! Over the past six months I have had many amazing and memorable experiences, and have met some of the most incredible and loving people. When Father Roman asked if I could work the bingo on Saturdays I was so thankful for the opportunity to do something for the parish. So that I can be at Sunday Matins on time, I sleep over in the churchs upper room. I am peacefully thrilled when I sleep there. Waking up early, lighting the oil lamps, and being there for Matins on Sunday mornings is the highlight of my week. This is really a testament to Matins because I struggle with waking up early every other day of the week! The Soul Saturday in November was 43 days after my grandpa died. At first, I was very sad being there and thinking of my deceased relatives. When I was in line to give Father Roman my memorial book for the reading of the names, I was overcome with a feeling of pure joy at the thought of the service. How amazing that it exists?! How amazing that we are given this opportunity, and six times a year, to pray for our dearly departed loved ones?! If I had any doubts before about my decision to join a church, and a church that sometimes uses a language I don't understand, they were completely erased that day. With all the repetition, the language barrier is not so bad. By the end of the Soul Saturday service, I was singing Vichnaya Pamiat, even without the words! By the time Ukrainian Christmas arrived, I was feeling holidayed out. I had no idea how I was going to survive the week. When I got to the church for the Vesperal Liturgy, I was reminded how and why the week would be great. The men's singing sounded so good. Peace was returning to my heart. Dinner with the Galadza family was comforting and joyous. That night, Ilya asked me to read the first 3 Psalms of Matins, which was terrifying at first. The church was filled with people! The Psalms really spoke to my heart, though, and as I read them out, my entire body and soul were praying, and I was filled to the brim with love. The liturgies over the next four days were wonderful. Christmas is much better when celebrated in a religious way. And caroling on Christmas evening was so much fun! Theophany was a strange feast day for me. It was odd celebrating Jesus' baptism while still waiting for mine. I wanted to jump in the Holy Water then and there and finally be baptized. The stampede of people trying to get their Holy Water prevented me though. That, itself, was overwhelming. Maybe next year we can all try to be a bit more orderly and patient? Coming to church week after week as a catechumen is often very difficult. My heart longs for the Eucharist. I have started thinking it was more out of compassion that the catechumens were asked to leave after the homily. To be so close, but to have to grow in patience and wait is not easy. Sometimes I want to go up to everyone in church, shake them and ask if they know just how lucky they are. Do you really understand the gift you have been given? I hope you will all attend my baptism on Lazarus Saturday. And I hope that through my baptism you can reflect on your own and thank God for the truly blessed life you have been given! The "sequel" to Kate's Baptism.