Our Lady of Angels

Today marked the closing of a small but beautiful church in West Philadelphia, Our Lady of Angels. The church has been a part of the archdiocese for 100 years. It was the center of a neighborhood where I was born and raised. What fond memories come to mind just by mentioning its name. I remember receiving my first holy communion, then confirmation, and all of the May processions. When asked where I grew up, I say proudly, Our Lady of Angels parish.  I quess it has something to do with growing up Catholic. I never minded going to church there, it was never a chore, it was what we did as a good catholic.  It seemed like everything revolved around that small church and school. I played all three sports at that school and tried my best every time out because I wanted to show "OLA" was the best of all the rest. I remember Fr. Lazzaro, before we would go out on the basketball court, instilling in us all that we were representing not only our school but our church also." Don't embarrass  yourselves and especially don't embarrass your parish " he would say.
     I didn't attend the final Mass today, but I didn't have to. I just close my eyes and see Mother Mary Elizabeth and her clicker telling us when to kneel and to stand.  I see Father Carbo and his rotund body and double chin, raising the chalice up to heaven. I see Father Lazzaro saying the Mass, so quickly, it seemed like you didn't have time to bless yourself.
     What makes a person think of a church as part of their life? I guess it is the love that she provided in the lessons that were taught. There was always a solemnity every time I went inside. It was always peaceful and serene and I knew that God was there to listen.
Our Lady of Angels might be closed now, but it's spirit will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all those who were fortunate enough to be able to attend Mass there.  

Mirrors for Sale

Last night the wife and I went out to dinner at the local Carrabbas restaurant. I don't consider it a fancy place but I enjoy going there and I have to say I have had some very good meals there.
When I go out to most places I enjoy getting dressed and looking presentable. I cannot believe the way people go out nowadays. It is as if they don't have mirrors in their houses. One "gentleman " came in with cut off shorts and a t-shirt. I can't believe his wife sat with him. I know my wife would not let me leave the house looking like that.
I know dressing casual is comfortable and most casual clothes are stylish, but
some people take it too far. You don't have to wear a suit and a tie to go to dinner, but can't you save the hoodie sweatshirt and boondockers for working in the yard. My wife's mother told her "to look nice when she went out because you never know who you might meet." It is a shame that message has not been passed on to more people.
There was a show on the Bravo channel called "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". I have to admit I enjoyed watching it. It showed how a man should buy clothes that made him look good and feel comfortable wearing. Even if it was a pair of jeans and a button down shirt, they made the guy look good.
I admit as I have gotten older, dressing up is not a top priority for me everyday but I do like to get dressed up and look good when I go out somewhere, especially with my wife. Maybe it is from the years I worked in a clothing store, but I always enjoy seeing a man or a woman dressed up and looking sharp. I think I might start a business selling mirrors, because if you look around, there are quite a few people who don't own one, if they did they would not leave the house dressed the way they do.