The SCRIPT

I now have a new found respect for the head of the Lectors at St. Joseph Church[1]. Fred could not make it to the Easter Vigil rehearsal last night and asked me to step in.

I have been at many a rehearsal before and prepared for this one by having a draft copy of the SCRIPT nicely in a binder. Maybe it is the power of the binder[2], but suddenly I became the keeper of the SCRIPT and all came forward with their requests and questions . . .

Fr. John: Okay, I want to change this part when the Spanish commentator says . . .

Doug: Am I bringing up Light 5 or Light 6 at this part?

Gabby: Wait, wait . . . maybe we put the English Lector 2 at the ambo . . .

Maria: Am I in the right place?

Fr. John: No, no, Light 4 needs to go on at this part.

Doug: Light 4? Are you going to put that in the script, Steph? And can I get a copy?

Angel (practicing): And a wind came across the land . . .

Gabby: Okay, you finish, then musica, musica, musica, then you start at the Lectern.

Bernice: Palabra de Dios . . .

Fr. John: Steph, I'll send you the other changes tonight by email, okay?

All the time I am scribbling madly and getting the cues down for the readers, the lights, etc. The other problem I have is that the formatting was not consistent and my anal nature took over, so that by 11:00 p.m. last night I had it all done.

But, in working at it last night, I suddenly realized - this is it, it's what we are all about! I found myself thinking of bygone Easters and started getting excited that it was fast approaching, to the point that as I formatted the last part and the dismissal, I felt a small sense of melancholy, and I realized that it is a feeling I get at the end of every Mass, renewed in spirit but regretful about having to step back into "human" time and space.

Today is Holy Thursday! Is it just me or is there a sense of excitement in the air with you?

[1] Fred Astran.

[2] Hold a binder or clipboard, and people naturally assume you to be in charge.