Through The Looking Glass
In 1871, Lewis Carroll wrote Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There, a sequel to 1865's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Alice in Wonderland). He wrote of Alice going through a looking glass and finds her in an alternative universe, where things were contrary to the real world..."where things are not as they should be.” I cannot help but offer a Cheshire-grin when I think of how timely it is for our day school to be performing Alice In Wonderland, Jr. next weekend. We are most certainly living in a bit of an upside down world where things are not as they should be. From fears of unknown viruses, plunging oil prices, temporary plummeting of the stock market, political tensions and times of unrest, let alone our personal tragedies and terrors and fears oh my...maybe Lent comes at a perfect time to ask in what kind of world are we living? So God bless the gifts of our thespian children and the adults who direct and guide them. It was ten years ago I asked Diane Mellody to change-up the direction of one act plays to outstanding musicals. What an amazing team of volunteers we have had over these ten years...there is NOT a better grade school in all of the county for what they produce! This year we must give thanks to God for not only our director, Diane Mellody, but also Pattie Rizzo, Colleen McVicker, Joy Kopcha, Daniel Clark, Toni Patton, Shannon Pasternak, Holly Dawson, and Peggy Dolensky who have helped direct and manage praiseworthy performances! You have helped us all remember what is most important during these times. As a matter of fact, why not pray for all our young parishioners who are performing in musicals and productions this month in our local schools. Believe me, there are a lot of families from here tapping their toes with the likes of Alice and Little Orphan Annie, Dorothy Gale and Maria von Trapp and all the others.
Saint John Paul II wrote an encyclical called Letter To Artists that reminds us how the Catholic Church should always support the arts to reflect God’s glory:
“None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God at the dawn of creation looked upon the work of his hands. A glimmer of that feeling has shone so often in your eyes when—like the artists of every age—captivated by the hidden power of sounds and words, colors and shapes, you have admired the work of your inspiration, sensing in it some echo of the mystery of creation with which God, the sole creator of all things, has wished in some way to associate you.”
This was the inspiration for me to invite Fr. Terrence Grachanin to our parish for our Lenten mission next weekend. Through Marian art, he will lead us in the Joy, Sorrow, & Glory of Our Lady’s love for her Son. Please come and be inspired with Fr. Grachanin during his 3-night mission called A Marian Reflection in Art. (March 22-24th, with our parish’s Lenten Communal Penance on the third night, Tuesday March 24th.)
Memento Mori, Fr. Bline
