The Parish Hall

In my opinion spirits aren’t always souls trapped. Some choose to visit places and people which they love. Like angels sent from God to check in on them. There is a priest who headed my church over 100 years ago. As I learn more about his ministry, I feel his love for his church and community.

He passed away in the sacristy of the church after suffering a heart attack. To this day many parishioners have seen him or felt his loving presence. I happen to be one of them.

When I was younger, I would eat sugary jelly donuts before church. I knew I wasn’t suppose to but I did anyway. One hot Sunday morning service in the summer, I did my usual jelly donut breakfast. This time I got a great sugar rush. However, what goes up must come down.

Halfway through service, my sugar level crashed and I fainted on the alter steps. Later my brother laughed and said I did a back somersault off the alter stairs. So as to not disrupt the service more, I was taken to the parish hall and laid on the floor.

I remember waking up surrounded by concerned adults, my parents at my head. I noticed one gentleman just past my feet. He was keeping his distance. He didn’t look like the other adults. He was transparent and not saying a word. In my heart that was our old priest. Watching over his flock more than a 100 years later.