Ok, maybe a church picnic and an engagement party don’t qualify in your mind as a “wild weekend” – but from our perspective, it was a doozy!
Since we wanted to attend the church picnic on Saturday evening from 5:30-8pm, it only made sense that we would go a little early and attend the vigil mass first. This also meant that the usual dress code was downgraded a little to accommodate the after-mass fun, to no-one’s disappointment.
What we did not know until we walked into church was that a special musical treat awaited us – one that I would absolutely have wanted to attend had I known in advance! Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral was blessed to host the 2026 Phoenix Pueri Cantores Children’s Choral Festival and Mass. And not only were the musicians and repertoire absolutely sublime, but Bishop Emeritus Olmsted was the celebrant! I’ve missed him so much since his retirement, it was wonderful to have him back.
I had brought my camera along for the picnic, but when I realized what was happening, I couldn’t resist getting some photos during the mass. I would have been more comfortable with my long lens, but the 24-70 was what I had to work with. I have never had the nerve to do mass photography before, nor have I felt like I had the strength in my back to walk around, crouch down, and move from place to place to get good angles like the professionals do (and they had one there who was doing a brilliant job, and I tried to stay out of his way), so this was my first foray into that arena. Having broken the ice, I may do more in the future, as I’m able!
After the mass, it was time to trek back to the ball fields beyond the parking lot for the picnic. Paul had cleverly parked his truck over there already so there would be less fuss about unloading our offering, which was a cooler full of iced beverages. I was in my wheelchair, and had expected I would take the van and drive it over so I’d be close, but he just pushed me all the way across the parking lot.
The food was plentiful and delicious, although I could only eat a small portion of my excellent hamburger. I snagged a couple of photos of Paul with people he knows from OCIA and his catechist work, but I mostly sat and was hugely entertained by the antics of our children. They were at their highest energy level and all over the place, playing kickball on the infield, throwing a football in the outfield, and dominating the badminton net another family had set up with their volleyball game. Later in the evening there was a hilarious game of musical chairs, which is much more challenging using lawn chairs on uneven ground than regular chairs indoors!
It was a beautiful, bug-free night with perfect weather and a lovely sunset beyond the cathedral in the west. So glad we went!
After our night of fun at church Saturday, we got to sleep in Sunday morning, before getting gussied up to go to a party! All of us except Natalie, that is, whom Geneva had requested to meet up with her at Church and go from there after mass to help out. Geneva’s future Mother in Law, Cynthia, was throwing a “Bubbles and Bites” champagne party to celebrate Geneva and Mark’s engagement, and Natalie joined the bridesmaids to help get everything set up.
It was another beautiful afternoon, with a fun group of their friends plus our boisterous bunch, (who were on their best behavior, I’m happy to say). I didn’t take any photos, although I did bring the camera. I just felt it was awkward and intrusive in that intimate environment, so I put it away. I figured Cynthia would probably take some phone pics, and I was right. I shamelessly stole them to post here, with much gratitude!
I also had to spend a good bit of the party inside on the couch, decompressing from overstimulation. There’s a reason I’ve never been much of a party person! Anyway, it was truly a delight to meet more of Geneva and Mark’s friends and all the kids had a great time as well.
