Animals & Christmas

Note: I heard these stories some years ago and thought I would pass them on in time for the Christmas Season of 2008....Have to say they really make me wonder....

The Rector had many duties over and above the normal workload of an already busy parish. And when at a non-negotiable point in time it was found that the dates of the Annual Retreat and the running of the current Detox Program were clashing horribly, the Rector decided that in order to fulfill both equally important obligations, they would invite the group of six people undertaking their detox program at the rectory, to come to the Retreat.

The main problem with this invitation was that the detox program participants couldn't be left alone to forge ahead without strict medical supervision and the one on one counselling that were a part of the designated program.

So the big question was how to manage the retreat and detox program?....

Delegation was the key and so the six young men were invited to attend the retreat and to participate in any of the activities should they so wish.

Rooms were allocated to them at the farm, and various members of the retreat party were delegated to see to their specific needs. It was agreed by both parties that the detox participants would come to all meals and also attend the Sunday Service. This arrangement went swimmingly and everyone benefited.

Sunday arrrived and as previously arranged, the party of six came to the morning service in the barn. Loudly celebratory, charismatic in it's praise of the Lord, the service was about halfway through when the party of six went outside for a cigarette.

Then one young man came rushing back inside to frantically ask -

"What is going on in here?"

"Why?"asked the Rector.

"Come and have a look". was the response.

Sure enough, there was a newly gathered group of extremely curious onlookers ranged around the outside of the barn..........chooks and cows, sheep and horses, ducks and geese, rabbits and hares! These curious farm animals had all come to witness the presence of their creator!

And again I heard this tale on Radio National on the 25th February 1997.

An Aboriginal Mass was being held at a Catholic Aboriginal Mission out in the Victorian bush and during the Consecration all the totems arrived out of their natural habitat to witness what was happening. There were koalas, kangaroos, and bush animals of all descriptions who appeared to want to see, and also be a part of it......

It was as if as the Radio National speaker said, they all wanted to witness, be a part of the offering, incredible really. Mind blowing....

copyright: a.a.gallagher 1997