Religion

  Renowned religious educator Dolores Curran often commented: “We teach too much too soon and too little too late.” 

She was referring to the ways in which we adults tried to pass on our faith, our beliefs, our denominational creeds to children and, by contrast, the methods we used to teach adults. 

Some consider her the icon of the age and worship at her shrine. Others find her to be oppressively present. Oprah Winfrey is obviously an impressive force in promoting ideas, books and people. 

One of her more recent ventures was a series that confronted the topic of a debt-ridden people and the impact this raging disease has had on society. The professionals Winfrey engaged as presenters challenged the debtors—and by extension all of us—to change lifestyles. 

Never was it more apparent that a church, all churches, are more than buildings than at the dedication of the new, renewed St. Brendan the Navigator Roman Catholic Church. The entire sanctuary was filled to capacity with people who wanted to participate in the wonder of a project long in coming to fruition. 

 Hubby Dear sometimes comments we two are the town clowns. He opines folks invite us to parties because we invariably provide entertainment. I am not convinced he is correct in his assessment, but I do know laughter has always been good for our souls, and even our bodies.

Over the years, I have known the joy of laughter. Sometimes, it bubbles up when I least expect the sound. It diffuses anger and heightens gladness. It softens the edge of sorrow and puts a sparkle in tearfulness. Most importantly, it is an infectious disease.