Snow, Brigid, Candlemas

What a great joy to see SNOW in the middle of winter! (we rarely had any in Houston) It was a welcome sight after the big ice storm we just got finished with. Shirley and I had to throw a couple of snowballs at each other (of course, I had to start it....!).

WE commemorated Brigid on Feb. 1. She was an abbess over a co-ed monastery in ancient Britain. We think that, in a lot of things, the celtic Church had it right. The Church was monastic-based. They ordained women deacons (not as priests and bishops). Their clergy were allowed to marry. Monks and nuns were permitted to marry, and, we see here with the example and practice of Brigid, orders were co-ed--even their communities. She was a strong, compassionate, Spirit-filled woman, who loved Christ above all else. Let us follow Him as she did. Brigid, pray for us.

The Presentation, Candlemas, was yesterday. Simeon and Anna, prophets, prophesied and told about our Lord, Who He was and what he came here for--His light was to shine to all the world. Some churches use more candles on that day to commemorate--so, the day is called Candlemas by some worshipping communities. We will celebrate Candlemas tomorrow at Chapel of St. Francis, and I am looking forward to it very much.

And I am getting to used to working in the snow and ice-cold air. But I STILL say it beats Houston, with its 100 degrees and nearly 100 percent humidity all summer, and high humidity all year long. Oklahoma is home!


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