Over the years I have learned many lessons from my Bishop. This one I'll never forget.
It was the first visit for the new Bishop. I was a postulate (in the process towards ordination) serving at my sending parish. To be honest, it wasn't my first time meeting the Bishop, but that visit well....let's just say he met the real unfiltered me complete with snot dripping out of my nose sobbing. A story for another time, or maybe, probably, never. Suffice it to say, I wanted to make sure I made a better or at least a different impression this time.
Caroline was one of my acolytes...
I knew Bishop White had arrived, but he had yet to make his way back to the sacristy to vest. I was running through the service with the acolytes. "Any questions?" I asked. Everyone was quiet until Caroline said something like (this was over 12 years ago can't remember the exact words), "All this fancy stuff for the Bish. I just want to wear that funny hat he has." At this exact moment, the door opened and in walked the Bishop.
"Please please please let him be hard of hearing, or at the very least preoccupied," I prayed. "Surely he's thinking about the service and not listening...surely...." I turned to the acolytes and asked them to head on out to create space and to avoid any other irreverent inappropriate comments. As Caroline was moving towards the door, he stopped her, placed his mitre (the correct name for the funny hat) on her head and said, "Could you let everyone know the Bish will be ready in a few minutes?" I was mortified. Caroline, however, answered with a big smile (this part I remember), "Yes sir, Bish." Gonna be honest, I was speechless--not an easy thing to happen. Well, at least she said "yes sir."
During the service, I served as the Bishop's chaplain. I was determined to be very serious, very reverent, very anything but Caroline... We processed in and the Bishop handed me his crozier (staff). I placed it in its stand and sat down. A few seconds into the first reading Bishop White leaned over and whispered, "Could you please turn the crozier around? Right now you are indicating I'm dead. I'd like a few more years." I turned the crozier around thinking right now would be a great time for it to fall, hit me in the head, and knock me out. No such luck.
The service continued. As the table was being set for Eucharist, the choir was singing, and two of the acolytes (brothers in middle school) were hitting each other with their cinctures (ropes wrapped around their waists). I glared at them. They didn't stop. For the second time Bishop White leaned over and whispered, "You're giving them your best Mom stare." I nodded. "It's not working," he chuckled. Would this service never end!?!??!
When the service was FINALLY over my priest asked me to lead the Bishop back to the sacristy. My goal was to get him in the sacristy, unvest myself, and get out with little to no conversation--preferably the no. Thankfully I knew the acolytes were already out--doughnuts called! The Bishop wears way more vestments than I did, so I thought the odds were good I could make a quick escape--I mean exit. I yanked my cincture and robe off throwing them on the hanger promising myself I would return to straighten them and repeating to myself, "this, this, this, is why I will NEVER work with children and youth." Bishop White, silently, slowly and I'll add reverently removed his vestments gently placing them on hangers. I moved towards the doorway. "Katherine," Bishop White said. I stopped, my. eyes looking longingly at the door--two feet, that's all that was left, two feet--so close.. "Remember," he continued, "they're kids. Church can be both reverent and joyful, sometimes even a little fun."
When we got in the car to head home Caroline said, "I really like the Bish. He's pretty cool." "Yes he is," I answered. "And very human and very wise," I thought to myself, "I really hope I get to serve under him for a long time."
Last Sunday following a service, I headed back to the sacristy followed by three young boys. "Mama Doyle, can we put on those things? We want to be preachers like you." they said as they pointed to my stole and alb. "Sure," I replied. As I helped them put them on, a man said, "Are they allowed to do that?" I smiled and said, "You know, church can be both reverent and joyful, sometimes even a little fun."
