Post by Whisker on Jan 4, 2013 23:58:33 GMT -1
The time of reckoning has come! As part of my big clear-out of "Stuff", I come across some gifts that I had wrapped, but never had the opportunity of presenting to some estranged members of my family. They are hidden away in a cupboard and are years old. What is the point in holding on to them?
Every year, at this time, Dublin's most prestigious Church, the Pro-Cathedral in Marlborough Street, provides an opportunity to people of donating unwanted gifts after Christmas. These gifts are then distributed to the poor.
I had never gone there to see how this works and decided I had a very good reason to there now and off-load some "stuff"! The idea is that people donate unwanted gifts, which they have received over Christmas, and my gifts did not exactly fit that category. Anyway, who is going to know the difference!
So I loaded up the items, in a bag, gifts that, at one time, I had carefully chosen. I headed into Town.
What you do is leave your donations in front of the Crib inside the Church.
I found the Crib at the top right-hand corner of the Church. It is a fairly standard Crib, that you would find in many churches at this time of year. As it was getting dark inside the church the Crib showed up as a warm, glowing haven of light.
A couple of people were standing at the wooden rail in contemplation before the Crib. Others, before me were dropping off their bags of gifts behind the rail in front of the "Manger".
There was hardly any room left to put down my bag, but I managed to fit it in at the edge of the space.
I watched for a little while and then noticed there was a "volunteer", an elderly gentleman, removing the bags of gifts as quickly as they were being left. He was taking them into a room, behind a large wooden door at the top of the church, where of course, they would be kept safe for later processing and distribution.
As I turned to go, I noticed some people were kneeling in reverence before the main altar, at the top of the church, where the "Blessed Sacrament" was on display. I don't suppose they were very impressed by my taking photos there, so I did not delay too long.
As I was on my way out, several more people, from all walks of life, it seems, were walking in carrying bags, with their stuff!
Before heading through the door, I took one last look back at the vaulted interior of that venerable church. I had a vague feeling of self-righteousness! I had moved on!
Every year, at this time, Dublin's most prestigious Church, the Pro-Cathedral in Marlborough Street, provides an opportunity to people of donating unwanted gifts after Christmas. These gifts are then distributed to the poor.
I had never gone there to see how this works and decided I had a very good reason to there now and off-load some "stuff"! The idea is that people donate unwanted gifts, which they have received over Christmas, and my gifts did not exactly fit that category. Anyway, who is going to know the difference!
So I loaded up the items, in a bag, gifts that, at one time, I had carefully chosen. I headed into Town.
What you do is leave your donations in front of the Crib inside the Church.
I found the Crib at the top right-hand corner of the Church. It is a fairly standard Crib, that you would find in many churches at this time of year. As it was getting dark inside the church the Crib showed up as a warm, glowing haven of light.
A couple of people were standing at the wooden rail in contemplation before the Crib. Others, before me were dropping off their bags of gifts behind the rail in front of the "Manger".
There was hardly any room left to put down my bag, but I managed to fit it in at the edge of the space.
I watched for a little while and then noticed there was a "volunteer", an elderly gentleman, removing the bags of gifts as quickly as they were being left. He was taking them into a room, behind a large wooden door at the top of the church, where of course, they would be kept safe for later processing and distribution.
As I turned to go, I noticed some people were kneeling in reverence before the main altar, at the top of the church, where the "Blessed Sacrament" was on display. I don't suppose they were very impressed by my taking photos there, so I did not delay too long.
As I was on my way out, several more people, from all walks of life, it seems, were walking in carrying bags, with their stuff!
Before heading through the door, I took one last look back at the vaulted interior of that venerable church. I had a vague feeling of self-righteousness! I had moved on!
Penny! No further chapter, far as I know. I think the story is done and dusted - but you never know!
?
