Anything can be what one calls imaginary—what one might normally achieve if they set out to do it, but not always. Usually, we go out to do what we’ve previously thought about doing or what we’re allowed to do. What brings me to this.
A couple of weeks out, I asked my sister about my visit. We agreed on July 21. Initially, it was just a same-day round trip, to avoid inconveniencing anyone. Occasionally, I’d stay over on Saturday to attend the first Sunday Mass at 8:30 a.m. This time, at the last minute, we planned to return the next day, so we’d attend Mass at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, 8279 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, Florida 33322.
In Port St. Lucie, FL, I had been promoting the gift of bags of mangos grown in the backyard of our home. There comes a point when the market—if you can call it that—runs out of mangos, which is why we looked for other options to continue our distribution of over 500 mangos.
This time, I told my sister I’d bring mangos, including about 10 bags, each with 6 or 7 mangos, to distribute before Mass. Oh! Once I arrived, I asked my sister if I could stay, and her answer was clear.
By morning, we coordinated how to transport the mangos. The sky was a little dark—it was surely going to rain. Either way, we arrived at the church and quickly went inside with our mangos. They had to be distributed. My sister would handle that, since I’m not known in the church community or the city.
When you don’t know many people in certain places, like a church, it’s hard to hand things out, like the bags of mangos.
Obviously, people don’t know what you’re bringing or delivering to them.
Suddenly, one of the most well-known people in the religious community immediately helped us with the distribution. In no time, she was handing out bags to those she knew. It was wonderful, especially since the churchgoers were just starting to arrive.
We quickly took our places in strategic spots. Suddenly, I realized there were about five minutes left before Mass started. I should have brought my cell phone to take a photo of the choir and, in particular, the pianist, who was practicing the choir’s songs at that moment.
I don’t know why, but I immediately felt I should go to the car and get my camera to take some photos, leaving proof that we’d been at the church. Right away, the singers were practicing with the choir, showing great enthusiasm, which amazed me.
The choir ladies assumed I was a member of another choir and that, out of courtesy, they might invite me to join them. I was pleasantly surprised. One of them immediately took the initiative to invite me to accompany her.
Without hesitation, she sprang into action, telling me which songs we’d cover. I didn’t have time to tell her that I wasn’t familiar with the songs she knew. Without further ado, she gave me the chance to accompany her.
Obviously, the songs weren’t the same ones our director, María Romero from Holy Family Catholic Church, leads us in. I must express my sincere gratitude to pianist Eddy Dulbers and singers Christine Meulled, Richard Murphy, and Girlie Co. for their kindness and high musical sense.
Choir of St. Bernard,
Roman Catholic
Church, Sunrise, Florida, 33322.
By: Nelson Merchan-Cely
Image: St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church
