The Angelic Occurrence

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The Angelic Occurrence Page 30

by Henry K. Ripplinger


  “Great, Eddy. How did the rehearsal go at the church this afternoon?”

  “Nothin’ to it. This is the second time around. Didn’t hurt one bit. Coreena wanted her sister, Matilda to stand beside her and so I asked Pete to do the same for me. The Padre went through what we had to do, when we’re suppose to come up to the altar, what we’re suppose to say and when it’s okay for me to kiss the bride. I told him that would be the best part of the mass.”

  Henry laughed. Eddy, would always be, Eddy. Saying it like it is.

  “That’s great, Eddy, sounds like you have everything under control?”

  “Yup, everything’s cool, ol’ buddy. Was just wondering if you could make it to the hotel for dinner with me and the gang. Would love to have you here, and if you have a lady friend she’d be more than welcome.”

  “Thanks Eddy, but my friend Gary is home for this anniversary event, too and he invited me over to his place for dinner. We’re thinking of going to a movie later on. He’s going back in another week and I guess doesn’t go out much in India.”

  “Yeah, I think he and John came home on the same plane a week ago. Funny how things work out, Hank. Who would have thought that John would be doing missionary work and finding his way to India to work for Mother Theresa. Then again who would have thought I would end up sailing a yacht in Jamaica and end up marrying an island gal!”

  “That’s life, Eddy, one never knows what is just around the corner.”

  “You can say that again.” Eddy was silent for a minute and spoke with a tone of caution in his voice, “Say, listen, Hank, ol’ buddy, Pete is kinda anxious to talk to you about Jenny. I hope you don’t mind. I guess he’s having some real doosie dreams about what happened way back when.”

  “Actually Eddy, I’m looking forward to meeting Pete. I only met him briefly and not under the best of circumstances and if the truth be known, Jenny has been on my mind a lot lately as well.”

  “That’s cool, Hank, I appreciate you saying that. Pete and the guys, including me did some foolish things back then, but we seemed to turn out okay, you know what I’m saying? And Pete especially, Hank, turned out to be one good guy. Never would have thought he’d be a preacher. But like you said, one never knows what’s just around the corner.”

  “Amen, brother!” Henry chuckled. “Well, I’m very glad you’re here, Eddy, and I am really looking forward to meeting your wife, Coreena. So, I guess we’ll see you at the nine o’clock mass then. Are you going to come to the twelve o’clock one too?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. I came home as much for that as for my wedding. The Padre is one cool guy, Hank. He’s one rare breed who only comes along once in a life time.”

  “Amen, again brother. Well, we’ll see you in the morning. Don’t chicken out and not show up.”

  “Oh, I’ll be there alright, it’s Coreena, I’m worried about. Hope she don’t change her mind, ha ha.”

  “See ya Eddy.”

  “See ya, ol’, buddy.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  For the past three Sundays, Father Knuka purposefully switched masses with Father Engelmann. One Sunday, he would say the nine and ten o’clock mass and let Father do the twelve o’clock one. The next, he would say the ten and twelve o’clock Masses. That way, all the parishioners would know of the secret party for Father. They also decided to take a chance and put a small ad in the newspaper to let others who knew Father outside of the parish to come for the event as well. There wasn’t much of a risk, because Father much preferred to spend what little free time he had, reading the Bible rather than the newspaper.

  The parishioners were getting so excited they could hardly wait for the party. For the last few weeks, when either Henry or Mary were speaking to Father either over Sunday dinner or when they called each other, they were careful not to share with Father what they had planned, and pretended as if nothing out of the ordinary were going to happen.

  Father knew that Sunday would be his 25th anniversary in the priesthood and insisted on being present at all three masses to thank the people and share his anniversary with them. He was especially eager to say the nine o’clock mass because during the celebration he would also be joining in wedlock his life long friend, Eddy Ziegler and his bride, Coreena.

  Henry arrived about ten minutes before nine and made his way down the aisle towards the altar. White ribbons adhered to the side of the first two pews on either side. He spotted Eddy in the front pew to the right with his bride and entourage. Relatives and friends occupied the other pews. Henry genuflected and slid in the pew right behind Eddy and patted his shoulder.

  Eddy turned to see his friend. “Hey, Hank, nice to see ya, ol’ buddy.” And then Eddy turned around in the pew, “I’d like you to meet the girl of my dreams, Coreena!”

  Henry extended his hand to his bright smiling wife or fiancé, as Henry wasn’t sure if the first marriage ceremony on Eddy’s yacht was legal or not. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Coreena”

  “Pleasure be all mine, Hank. Eddy speaks almost every day about you, seems like I know all about you…kinda scary, huh?”

  Henry smiled, and within the few remaining moments they chatted before Father made his entrance, Henry could see why Eddy was head over heels in love with Coreena. She was a very attractive, charming, down to earth lady with a radiant smile that revealed brilliant white teeth and twinkling eyes that could compete with any star in the sky and easily win.

  Shortly into the Mass, Father asked Eddy, Coreena and their two attendants to come forward. Henry smiled as the couple made their way to the altar. Coreena was a good two heads taller than Eddy. His pompadour was still the same only higher; perhaps an attempt to reach up to Coreena in any way he could. It made Henry’s heart feel good to see his friend beaming and his eyes sparkling with joy. Eddy never allowed his wealth to interfere with enjoying and having fun in life. He knew when he had more than enough and set about enjoying it.

  It was easy to see that Coreena and Matilda were sisters. They had similar features, but it was obvious that Matilda enjoyed her cooking more than her younger sister.

  Standing next to Eddy was Pete. Henry would never have recognized him as one of the guys who attacked him and Jenny the summer before starting high school. Funny, as much as Henry had hated those guys, strangely enough he now felt no animosity towards Bud or John, or even to Pete who claimed he was the one to have raped Jenny that night. Henry thought he should be angry and yet found himself compassionate and forgiving towards them all. He suddenly realized he was passing his fingers over one bead and other of Julean’s rosary in his pocket. He wondered if Julean’s spirit was helping him to accept someone he loathed in the same way he forgave John.

  Thoughts of understanding entered Henry’s mind that the boys were young and immature. They had been drinking that night and perhaps would not have done what they did, had they been in full command of their senses. As he turned to the other side of the aisle, he saw John, and Bud and his wife. He had come to know them and they were really nice guys. And from what Eddy had told him about Pete committing his life to God, Henry found that he would be very remiss if he did not forgive and try to heal the past with him, too.

  Henry was so engrossed in his thoughts that he missed the entire marriage ceremony. He snapped out of his reverie just as Father said, “And I now pronounce you, Man and Wife. You may kiss the bride Eddy.” Eddy raised himself on his tiptoes while Coreena bent down and their lips met to the standing ovation of the parishioners.

  After mass Henry met all of the attendants and said he would like to chat with them more at the anniversary party in the hall and excused himself.

  Henry chuckled at Father’s comment that the attendance was less than usual. That Father, Henry thought, he’s on the trail to discovering that something’s amiss, but he still wasn’t aware yet that most people were coming to the twelve o’clock service today.
r />   He was glad that Jeremy was picking up Mom. Allison came home for Father’s anniversary and was bringing Justin and Lauren. So everything was under control except for scooting across town to get Ivania.

  It was almost fifteen minutes before noon when Henry and Ivania parked in the reserved space for Father Engelmann in the church lot. Fortunately Henry was one of the few who knew Father didn’t own a car. Otherwise, the lot was full and so were the streets. Cars lined both sides for several blocks.

  “My goodness, Hen-dry, this is quite a turnout for Father Engelmann.”

  “I expected a good turnout, but not this big. I’m glad the first rows on either side were reserved for the parish council members or we might have had to stand outside.”

  As they made their way to the church, still more people were streaming in.

  When Henry and Ivania got inside he couldn’t believe it. The church, which held over 700 people, was packed. Well wishers had come from all over.

  As they walked into the vestibule, he was greeted by one of the senior ushers.

  “Hi, Henry, I have never in all my years of ushering seen such a large attendance. If this keeps up, people will have to stand outside.”

  The huge vestibule was already half-full and people were still coming in.

  “Yes, I never anticipated such a gathering. All we can do is leave the church doors open and turn up the volume in the back area. Does Father suspect anything, yet?”

  “No, he hasn’t come out of the sacristy, yet. Father Knuka said he would try to keep him busy back there and pretend he was ill if he had to.”

  Henry smiled at all the planning and participation of everyone involved just to see this happen.

  Just before Henry and Ivania turned to go back into the vestibule, three black limousines approached the front of the church. One was the Archbishop’s car, and Henry surmised the other two held the priests who had wanted to attend. Henry told the usher to keep a pathway open for the Archbishop and the other priests down the aisle. With that, Henry and Ivania made their way through the gathering crowd and walked down the long aisle to the altar. About mid-way he passed Eddy and his wife and her sister. Henry patted him on the back as he passed. Henry heard him say, “about time you showed up ol’ buddy.”

  Henry was both excited and nervous; he could hardly contain himself. He couldn’t wait for the big surprise awaiting Father, and yet it made him feel nervous coming in with Ivania in front of his family. Almost as if he were cheating on their mother. Mary was already seated in the second pew. Henry patted her on the back as he passed her and winked at Camilla and Jeremy. He nodded to his children seated next to Mary and then motioned for Ivania to go into the front pew.

  “Have you ever seen anything like this?” One of the other members said to Henry as he knelt. Henry shook his head.

  No sooner had Henry sat down, than the door to the sacristy opened. Four altar boys emerged followed by Father Engelmann, totally unaware of the packed church. As soon as the parishioners noticed Father, a hush swept over the church as everyone tried to hold on to the surprise and at the same time wanting to see Father’s reaction to it all. Father followed the altar boys to the front of the altar. They all bowed their heads.

  The altar boys then separated and stood on either side of the altar. Father walked up the two steps, made his way around the other side of the altar then faced the congregation. He still was oblivious to the packed church. Everyone held their breath waiting for him to notice.

  Father opened the red book on the altar, raised both of his arms as a sign of welcome to his flock. He was about to greet all those present when he stopped and stared ever so intently down the centre aisle of the church. He looked as though he were seeing an apparition. His arms slowly lowered…sounds of shuffling and chuckles and laughter erupted here and there throughout the church. Tears filled the eyes of many parishioners as Father recognized the Archbishop and the entourage of priests walking down the aisle towards the altar.

  “Jesus, Mary, und Joseph…Ach mein lieber Gott” Father said, into the microphone attached to his white vestment. Finally, Father understood what was going on. He raised his arms, again, bringing his hands to either side of his head in total shock and surprise. The ovation and roar of the congregation that followed was deafening. It was as if a dam broke as the parishioners clapped and cheered. They watched as their shepherd was hugged by the Archbishop and the priests behind the altar. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church.

  Father was then led to a chair beside the lectern, where normally the Archbishop would sit. But, today, Father Engelmann was being honoured. He would sit and watch as the Archbishop performed mass celebrating his 25 years as a priest. Father sat down, his eyes filled with tears. He shook his head as he looked at the Archbishop and then to his flock, his expression carrying unmistakable heartfelt gratitude to all those present.

  After several more minutes of cheering and clapping, the congregation settled down and Archbishop O’Neil began mass. Instead of a homily after the gospels were read, first the Archbishop and then priests who were friends of Father Engelmann, spoke of their relationship with him. Although some reference to scriptures were made, reference was made in such a way as to recognize the saintliness of Father and at the same time roast him in a tender loving way. In the end it was a fervent outpouring of love for a man who had tirelessly given and continued to give his life to his Lord and serve his fellow man.

  Following the presentations by the Archbishop and all of the priests who had spoken, Father Engelmann stepped up to the lectern. He was so emotional that he could hardly speak. Many of the parishioners cried loudly in empathy. When he finally did regain some composure, his voice trembled and threatened to break.

  “Thank you…” Father nodded, struggling for control. “From the bottom of my heart … thank you.” He turned to Archbishop O’Neil and shook his head. “When I saw you and my brothers in Christ coming down the aisle I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

  The Archbishop’s laughter was instantly extended as the parishioners joined in and clapping swept throughout the church. Gazing at Father Knuka he raised his hand and shook his finger at him. “How well you pretended to be sick so I would say the mass…that was performed with such skill I was ready to call for an ambulance. My, my what a pleasant surprise.”

  Laughter erupted again as Father Knuka held his stomach and feigned to be ill again.

  Turning to the congregation Father Engelmann raised both arms and continued, “And you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, have made my life complete. The Lord has blessed me richly with so many friends. When my Anna went to be with the Lord, I thought for sure I could not live without her, but then so many of you in the neighbourhood came to my rescue with your love and support and helped me fill my days. And then the Archbishop allowing me to enter the priesthood and being assigned to St. Mary’s Church was such a blessing that at that time, too, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

  Laughter and clapping once again swept amongst the congregation.

  “You are my family and I love you all. Everyday I thank the Lord for the privilege of being allowed to serve you.”

  Tears gathered in Father’s eyes and once again he found it hard to go on. He tried to speak more, but words had left him. The parishioners stood and clapped enthusiastically as Father returned to his seat. The air was charged with love to overflowing.

  After communion, Margaret Tearhorst sang a solo in Father’s honour, his favourite song, ‘Amazing Grace.’

  She stood just to the side of the altar and as she sang there wasn’t another sound in the church, just a melody of purity, like a pristine stream of flowing spring water. The words were sung so softly, with such serenity and velvetiness, they were as though precious pebbles, smoothed and polished by years of rolling in the gentle ripples of a stream’s melody. And, when the last word of the song flowed out
of Margaret’s quivering vocal chords, a silence filled with God’s wonder, spread throughout the church. A silence so utterly quiet and still, that had a pin dropped at that moment, it would have made a thunderous echo. The congregation was caught in the spell of God’s creation…how a human being could possess such an incredible voice.

  It was some time before the Archbishop dared stand and continue with mass. Every and any sound which followed Margaret’s singing would desecrate the lingering memory.

  After almost two hours of worship, talk, and sweet singing, the organ fired up and sounded out the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ and ‘O When the Saints Go Marching In,’ so apt and true of Father Engelmann.

  There sure was a lot of hooting and singing and clapping and dancing, and Henry thought for certain that the roof of the church would lift off.

  Chapter Thirty

  When they got to the hall there was another surprise. The hall was decorated with streamers and balloons. On the far back wall hung huge block letters:

  HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY FATHER ENGELMANN

  Pictures of Father being ordained, of his wife Anna, of Confirmation, Baptisms, births, weddings, funerals and snapshots of his visits to the many families of the church taken over the years adorned the walls.

  Members from other churches and denominations were there, too. Father had worked hard to break down walls of indifference between the Protestant and Catholic faith. Father was a firm believer in bringing together all of God’s children.

  Off to the right, Henry saw John McBryne approach Gary. John was always easy to spot as he towered two heads over most people. Gary’s head buried in John’s chest as the two embraced. Henry marvelled how a man he hated so much had turned out to be a friend, and how through his dear wife’s death came such good. Who would have thought a man so immersed in drugs and a life so filled with turmoil and problems could have such a dramatic turnaround and end up serving God like Gary!

 

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