MONDAY DIARY: ALMOST EXCRUSIATINGLY TRUE STORIES: ANOTHER THEORY FOR THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

There is a young adult in the parish who decided that he wanted to start serving at the altar.  Though this story is true, the names have been changed to protect the guilty.  So let's just say his name is Raul.

Raul came to serve Tuesday night benediction last week.  It was Raul's first experience with the thurible (or incense thingy.)

For some reason, the thurible that I though was in reasonably capabe hands kind of did this flip/explosion thing and burning hot embers shot out.

Fortunately most of the burning coals landed on marble.

Like I said, "most of the burning coals . . ."

Our kneeling pad caught on fire.  Just a small one. 

 

Anyway, of course Raul felt poorly so I let him in on some little known secrets.

 

There is a reason we no longer have a rug in the sanctuary at St. Sebastian.

There is a reason that there is no longer a flawless parquet flooring at St. Peter and Paul.

There's a reason that St. Clare no longer has wall to wall carpeting in the sacristy.

After I got after the initial shock, I stomped on the embers as best I could because I had to get out on the sanctuary.  All seemed Okay and safe at the moment.

Coming back in there was noticed a pungeant smell and smoke in the room.  It hadn't gone out and was re-lighting!  I dumped water in the floor.

After another hour or so all seemed right with the world and so I vacuumed it up.

And that is why they also have a new vacuum cleaner.

So don't fret.  Join the club kid.