Adventures in Church, part 1

When we start to plan a trip overseas, one of the first things we do is find ~ along with the good pubs, local ales and castles ~ churches. We make lists of churches, cathedrals, chapels and other holy places to visit for the beauty, the spirituality, the architecture and art, the centuries of history. We plan visits and tours and even the occasional musical service where ever we go. And yet, we never visit the local beauties that surround us.

Of course, the places we visit in Ireland and England (and soon Scotland again, Yay!), are prepared for heavy tourism and many visitors from afar. The churches are accessible most days of the week from early to late. That is just not usually the case here. It's a sad fact that the places of worship around here have to be extra concerned with funding (thus the lack of staffing for tourism hours) and the fear of thievery (thus the inability to stay open without guard and staff). The churches we visit overseas often have reception desks and tour guides and gift shops and brochures in many languages, and sometimes even photo fees and treasuries and libraries and crypts.

A while back my dearest friend Merlyn and I discovered that we share this interest, and so we have been talking about visiting some of our local churches and cathedrals for a while now. She has made lists and even visited a few in NYC already. Having found a day to play together, we made a plan of sorts and set out on an adventure.

First stop, the Brooklyn Pickle for coffee and a catch up. Uh-oh, they are under construction. Mind you, they are still open and will be even better when the work is finished, but we wanted

someplace a little cozier and less noisy for a morning chat. So Denny's it was. :)

Fueled up and ready for action we set out for St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church up on Tipperary Hill. You know, the one right next door to Coleman's Irish Pub. :) But the doors

were locked! That's what we get for not calling ahead. But a quick stop in the adjacent elementary school and a very nice gentleman told us to bang on the door of the rectory and maybe Father would be there to let us in. So that's what we did. Bang, bang, bang. No dice, no answer. Ok, time to go. (It was a gorgeous, sunny day, but COLD!). Around to the cars, and on a hunch we gave it one more try on the front door. And success! Father was there and after asking very nicely, he agreed to let us in for a minute or two. I had seen the inside a few times previous (my brother and sister-in-law's wedding and the boys' baptisms), but it was new to Merlyn, and so we were very appreciative. Father was very nice and told us a little about the history of the church. I took a few pictures and we took our leave after making a donation and lighting a candle.

Next stop Sunoco. Now normally I wouldn't bother to add in a quick stop for gas in an adventure post, but this one is definitely worth relaying. I was about on Empty, so Merlyn followed me down to the gas station and stood out with me as I pumped gas. We were chatting when this strange little (well, not so little) man pulled up next to us and said he really liked my Booty bumper sticker.

We laughed and I said thanks, and Merlyn told him we're pirates. Well, that got his attention. Did we have a card with us? Nope, sorry. Well, could he have our number? I asked did he mean our phone number? Yes. Well, no, we weren't gong to do that. So he asked if we would take his number and call him? Well, no, thank you, but no. Then he asks, and I quote, "Are you girls dancers somewhere?" Hahaha! No, we're not dancers. As he slowly started to roll away, looking a little sad and dejected, he asked one last time ... are you sure you won't give me your number? Yes, we're sure, but you have a great day. Always knew those stickers are attention getters, but as Merlyn said, Wrong kind of booty, mister....

Ok, the car was gassed up and we were getting hungry, so we headed back up to Tipp Hill and Coleman's Irish Pub for a bit of lunch and more girl talk. Mmmmm, broiled scallops in lemon sauce, salad and cottage cheese. That hit the spot, as did the laughter and talk ... it's really been too long! A quick stroll across the street and a leisurely browse of the adorable Irish import and gift shop The Cashel House was just what we needed after that wonderful lunch.

With time for one last church visit, we decided to try the gorgeous double spire church just off Genesee

Street. That turned out to be Sacred Heart Basilica, and it was open! We wandered in quietly. There were just a couple of people in silent prayer, but the sanctuary was, for the most part, empty. We sat, we whispered, I took a few more pictures, and we walked all around. As we were sitting, a woman walked up to the chapel of the Virgin Mary and played a little song on the piano; her own arrangement of Stardust followed by an original composition as a prayer to Mary, she told us. As we walked out of the church, she was leaving too; she told us it's Assumption Day, and that it's also 15th anniversary of her hip replacement. She said she always stops and thanks Mary because she hasn't had a bit of pain since the surgery. We wished her a happy anniversary with her hip and waved her on her way.

After many hugs and promises for part two of the church visits, Merlyn and I drove off in the sun, having had another wonderful adventure together. It's just delightful to discover yet another common interest with a friend you already love dearly! Looking forward to our next quest....