Sunday, June 17, 2007

My letter

Dear Father,

I was at church to day morning, making my weekly visits to thank the Lord like we all do. I wouldn't consider myself an extensively religious man but I do make my average frequent visits. That's beside the point. At the end of today's mass, before final blessing, I was at all ears when you said we finished paying of the loan for the sum of $500,000 which was great. I guess it was for the better as we could accommodate more people and organise more fellowships in the name of our Lord. What baffled me was the next agenda, $300,000 to air condition our church. 'Please give generously' 'we need your support’? I don’t mean to be rude but it seems like all this sum of money is been taken for granted because we know eventually the parishioners will pay up to settle whatever loan. I think it’s a ridiculous amount of money and the nature of obtaining it is utterly wrong not speaking about the use of it. Air-cond? Most people make a trip once a week to church, some a little bit more but no one really suffers through the heat. We are in church to pray, a diminutive amount of sweat is just a little more grace for such a huge sacrifice from Him.
This sum of money could save 3000 people and we are looking to feel a little cooler in church? Furthermore, the electricity bills will begin to rise formidably. We are not in competition with other churches let me remind you, if others have it, we don't need to as well. A church is where people gather with the presence of a priest and altar to accommodate everyone in fellowship to praise and thank the Lord. People in Africa sit on floors under the sun to listen to the Gospel. Air conditioning system? I have no idea how the decision came about but everyone is being misled, including the congregation. Have you ever thought of asking the consensus of all the parishioners on the idea, $300,000 on air-conditioning? I hope you will make a stand on this issue and to emphasise on the value of money involved, pros and cons of the project and finally other alternatives for that amount of money. If everyone decides to go ahead, then so be it. They chose where their money should go as it’s not fair for a group of people to make a decision of this scale on behalf of everyone.
I am sorry if I have been very forward with my thoughts; believe me when I say I am not the only one. The people make the place . Catholics were divided to different denominations in the past not due to a different believe, it’s the people who made them believe differently through selfish actions. I recognise that everything is for the benefit of the people but understand the magnitude of your actions and put yourself in a disabled man's shoe. Millions suffering while our church takes a $300,000 step for just a little more comfort.

A concern Catholic


Saturday, June 9, 2007

Deathbed

Three funerals in a couple of weeks is a pretty drastic rate of deaths. Descending from a 100 year old granduncle to a 82 followed by a 62. May they rest in peace. All their funerals were similar, conventional as by the book. I wonder if they would have wanted it differently. Death has never frighten me having be a religious man but what scares me the most is the way I will pass on and the fact of having to leave my loved ones behind. Seems like the toughest battle indeed. Its definitely an unsettling topic but I am being a realist, things can happen and we can never know when. So don't get me wrong here, just want to make sure when my time comes, I would somehow like to dictate the deterioration of my remains.

Well my dearest will have that privilege to convey the proposed procedures to my family, their conventional methods will be challenged to a particular level but they will eventually give in, HOPEFULLY.(I'll never know:P). Well just in case, let this be a written proof.


Maybe of the tallest bridge in France
( I am not that picky)

My remains must be cremated .
My ashes must be dispelled of a beautiful skyscraper on a cold winters day.

As corny as those 2 rules sound, its true and I hope everyone involve will adhere to it. Those are the 2 key must do's. So I have it in written format. Whoever who fails to comply with my wishes will suffer a little guilt. The details will be in a separate issue.

Sorry for the very negative post but reality got me thinking so I am just being cautious.This is not a joke nor a bluff, its what I really want and it is one way of going by it, smiling. Like plenty say' Life's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get'