Yamaha Electone B35n

Baby Returns after 10 years

       Purchased circa 1980. Unavoidable circumstances led to selling it to a good-hearted friend in 2004. By chance met this gentleman again after such a long time. He smiled and said: "Hey Tony I have good news for you. I know how sad you were to part with it, but now I would love to give it back to you free". He probably saw the glee on my face when I did not hesitate to say: "Yes, thank you".

       In the words of my wife, who was also touched by this gentleman's kind gesture, had the following to quote: 

       "When you long & miss the things you treasure and which were meant to be together find their way back; they may take a few detours, but they're never lost. Happy to see you smiling."

An Evening with my Grandson

Ari fell asleep in the car on our way to the Park. We parked under the shade of a tree and let him sleep for about 45 minutes. My wife later put Ari on her lap because his head was beginning to slump over his chest!

Everything was peaceful...until he woke up.

What happened later...the pictures will tell.

It was fun to spend time with our grandson Ari. He's such a joy to be with. Trying to catch up with him running around was quite a feat for me, making me realize that I am getting old after all.

Ari was kicking the ball well in keeping with the present fever and spirit of the World Cup, and some folks passing by were watching him keenly.

He was quite fascinated by the geese waddling around the park. Ari boldly ran right through a gaggle of them unflinched, far ahead of us towards the play area.

As soon as he found himself comfortably perched on the swing, Ari was saying 'push', and insisted that he wanted to be pushed even higher, in keeping up with a small girl swinging on the side next to him!

Then suddenly the skies turned grey as evening fell. It started to drizzle signalling that it was time for us to return home.

REMEMBERING MY FATHER & THE TOY SOLDIER ON FATHER'S DAY

MY FATHER & THE TOY SOLDIER.

Long after my father passed away, I often reminisced about the good days when I was young. Later, through my own uncertainties and obstacles, I found strength in the thought of the wooden toy soldier my father had once given me, motionless yet hardy, strong, protective and inspiring. Every time when I had played with the toy soldier, I did not fail to keep it back on the shelf.

Then, as I grew up, I realized that I had looked at that toy soldier more than I had played with it, perhaps in an unconscious effort to preserve it, and in turn replace the absence of my father. There were many times when I would take it down from the shelf, dust it and put it back in its apparent rightful place as always. This toy was my favourite and in retrospect appeared that I had that toy in my possession for the longest time. 

But unlike that idle wooden toy soldier on the shelf, my own dad was a real life soldier. He worked hard in his life, cared, loved and did the best that he possibly could for his family. He stood tall against all odds and provided me and all those around him with good advice, hope and inspiration, successfully setting an example to march on through my own.

I still miss my father. He was a good man. Many among us surely must miss their fathers. Happy Father's Day.

To read the full story, please click on the following link:

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2009/06/fathers-day.html

St. Anthony of Padua

Queen of Peace

Queen of Peace

Croation Catholic Church & Centre,

Brampton

Felicio the Altar Boy

SURSUM CORDA

(LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS)

Felicio the Altar Boy

I had risen early that morning and my mother and I had briskly walked to the Chapel in order to wear the vestments, prepare and get ready for the Mass on time.

I had managed to pour just the right amount of wine into the chalice, rang the bell at the precise time for the ‘Sanctus’ and successfully carried the missal along with the stand from one side of the altar to the other. I had also steadily poured water over the priest’s fingers as he washed them, and there had been no sound of any cruets clashing together. My co-server and I had also bowed and genuflected in tandem, as we alternatively stood and knelt on the polished white marble floor of our village Chapel of Our Lady of Assumption in Vancio Vaddo, Guirim, Bardez, Goa.

My biggest fear and concern was not to trip while climbing or getting down the steps to the altar. I was grateful that the senior server had trained me well, and that Padre Capelão (the Rev. Chaplain) had been very kind and understanding in teaching me the right pronunciation of the Latin words.

My great moment was yet to come and that would be when people would line up to receive Holy Communion. I accompanied the priest as he proceeded to the front pews as the village folks knelt to receive. Just then I noticed that my mother was standing in line in the centre aisle. Soon, I thought, she would be kneeling for her turn.

This was my moment of great and significant pride and joy as I held the shining gold-plated communion serving paten under my mother’s chin. I felt that this was my highest privilege and honour. I thought that perhaps my mother’s wish was granted that I had learned to serve the Holy Mass in Latin, and officially become an ‘ajudante’ (Latin) or server. With a quick glance I was then surprised to see my relatives and neighbours in the queue as well. I could see that there were hints of sustained smiles on their faces. Perhaps, I thought, my mother must have requested them to attend the Mass in order to give me big surprise so that they could receive Holy Communion served by the "new altar boy Tony (a.k.a. Felicio) always in a blue shirt" from the village of Cumbiem Morod in Guirim, Bardez, Goa.

After the Mass, we had all walked home together. It had been a wonderful morning and the beginning of a great day indeed for me and for all the members of my family. My mother had prepared a special breakfast as well to commemorate the special day in my life.

The Latin Mass that I had first served in, continued for another few more years until 1969. It was then replaced by a New Order of the Mass when the priest faced the people. In a way, the new procedure must have been good. This way the priest could constantly keep an eye on his flock during the entire service, as opposed to the days of the Latin Mass when Padre Capelão along with his flock, the sacristan, the altar boys and the singers in the choir, had all stood facing in one direction – that is, towards the altar – lifting up their hearts! And saying: Sursum corda! (Latin) ~ Lift up your hearts!

Tony Felix (aka Felicio) Fernandes
Guirim, Cumbiem Morod,
Bardez, Goa, India.

1. The Mass of Paul VI is a form of Mass in the Catholic Church, promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969 after the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). It is now the ordinary or normal form of the Roman Rite Mass.

Mural on a Pylon - Don River Valley - Toronto