This is the distinctive roofline of St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church at the corner of State and Gray Streets in the heart of the city. It was completed in 1893. At the time, the parish was composed of the heavily Irish-settled neighborhood of Gorham's Corner and and Knightville in South Portland and some residents of Cape Elizabeth. Today, it is the home of the Irish Heritage Center. St. Dom's played an intricate role in my Dad's life. He was christened here in 1915. He served many years, growing up, as an alterboy at the services. He sometimes took my brother and me here to early Mass on Sunday, before transporting us to Riverside to caddy. In later years, he passed the offering basket during Masses, and as a matter of fact this is what he was doing Christmas Eve 1997. He passed away later that evening. His funeral was held here three days later. Although the priest at the hospital told me how lucky he was to be taken 'home' by God on this holiest of nights, it doesn't make the anniversary each year any easier for our family.
Some say our lives move in a circular fashion.
His certainly did.
He was never far from home.
Circle of life. I once knew a woman who sang the solo at a Christmas Eve service, then left immediately afterward to have her child delivered at a not so nearby hospital.
ReplyDeleteA very nice testimonial to your father and your heritage.
ReplyDeleteThis is very moving, Birdman. It pulls a tear from my eye. May your father's memory continue to be a blessing.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and moving story...
ReplyDeleteA nice story about the Church and your Dad.
ReplyDeleteMB
awww. certainly makes the holidays / holydays bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteThis church looks beautiful. I love the colors. My grandfather passed away on Christmas Eve so I know how that feels.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful- and I can see how it makes the holiday a difficult one for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful details & colours.
ReplyDeleteA touching post for the day. Christmas must be full of memories of all kinds for you.
ReplyDeleteTo change the subject - what about those Blue Jays?!? Quite a game last night.
Ya, my red flops are in some sort of 'death-dive'.
ReplyDeleteWhat serious family memories surround that church. Must have been hard to loose your Dad at Christmas time.
ReplyDeletea very touching story...
ReplyDeleteA touching family story. From the words of your post I hear of a man who was devoted to not only his family but also his church. - - - barbara
ReplyDeleteA touching family story. From the words of your post I hear of a man who was devoted to not only his family but also his church. - - - barbara
ReplyDeleteHolidays and anniversaries can indeed be hard. My mother died not long after Christmas and our last Christmas was the last happy memory I have of her. Bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what to say . . . probably better that your memories around your father involve his connection to this church instead of his connection to the local bar?
ReplyDeleteNice looking church.
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling us about your dad.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to your Dad Birdman..
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to your Dad Birdman..
ReplyDeleteA beautiful church with lovely and bittersweet memories for your family. Your Dad was a faithful servant of the church. Had to smile about his altar boy experience. At an early age, I knocked loudly and in frustrate at the rectory of our church and confronted our sweet pastor about the fact that I could not be an altar boy. Times have changed !
ReplyDeleteThe roofline is very attractive. Interesting the memories that some buildings bring back.
ReplyDelete