Читать книгу The Miracle of the Images - Welby Thomas Cox Jr. - Страница 4

I remember the first time I met Aldo Selleri, it was September 10, 2005. He came to the parish rectory to have his confession heard. Or so, I was lead to believe was the case. Whatever the reason, I clearly remember the conversation with my secretary / housekeeper...Mrs Clarice Hartman.

"Mrs Clarice..." said I, "are you aware that on the coming Saturday, my beloved Notre Dame football team will give battle with the arch enemy Michigan at 12:30 in the afternoon?"

"You know Father Francis...we of St. Augustine do not care...and I might add...sir that our Lord and savior himself cares not one iota...who wins that football game." Said she.

"Ah...it is true my dear Mrs Clarice...but I must inform you that the Blessed Mother cares."

"So I'll be asking ye' Father Francis...will the Blessed Mother be replacing ye' in the confessional on Saturday...or perhaps there is another belated saint of whom I am unaware that plans to be in your stead?"

"Mrs Clarice, you are the dearest Irish lady that I know since the passing of my own beloved Mother...not only have you fed and protected me in days gone by...but you have been able to manage my workload in a manner which has been enabling in my passion for football."

"It is true Father Francis...but not even I, am properly blessed to hear the confessions of the parish here at St. Augustine on Saturday afternoon."

"It is true Mrs. Clarice...I am on duty but at the last count only a single party has called for the confessional...and could you not reschedule for 5:00 in the afternoon?"

"No Father...I am afraid that will be quite impossible...you see Aldo Selleri has no telephone and I do not know where he lives."

"No way to run a ship Mrs. Clarice."

"Lets say Aldo shows up at 1:00...would it not be possible for you to ask if he could return...or failing that if he would agree to come to the rectory to watch the football game and have a bit of lunch?"

"Certainly Father...anything for you and our beloved Blessed Mother."