churchrat
We live in the Southern California Desert where a typical day in the Summer is in the 120's and up. This goes on and on for many months. Temps drop down into the high 90's-low 100's at night. During the Winter we have very, very cold weather. And to top it off, we get an enormous amount of wind.
Having said that, you can imagine what it is like to try to keep the living plants on the altar in shape. We do not have the money to hire a service. People put water in the plants until they cannot take one more bit of water. I try my best to get people not to water the plants (I have a meter), but it doesn't seem to get through. And, worst still, there is absolutely no light shining into the parish all week long unless there's a funeral or memorial. Therefore, I'm schlepping small and some very large plants into our library that has a sunroof. I fertilize them as the Sunset books tells me to.
I spoke with Father about the possibility of getting some of the very nice silk plants - you know - the kind you absolutely cannot see the differnece. I'm willing to keep the leaves free of dust and take care of them. He appears to be all for it; however, one of the parishioners said that it was "liturgically incorrect" to have anything that isn't real on the altar or anywhere near the church. I believe that we have some very extenuating circumstances and I have not been to any other church where silk plants are not used along with small real plants and flowers. It would certainly be beautiful up there and a lot less stress on me, as well.
Your thoughts and information on this "liturgical rule" would be graciously accepted ... Thank you and may God bless you and your families ...
Pace e Bene!
Patti Fleming, SFO
Having said that, you can imagine what it is like to try to keep the living plants on the altar in shape. We do not have the money to hire a service. People put water in the plants until they cannot take one more bit of water. I try my best to get people not to water the plants (I have a meter), but it doesn't seem to get through. And, worst still, there is absolutely no light shining into the parish all week long unless there's a funeral or memorial. Therefore, I'm schlepping small and some very large plants into our library that has a sunroof. I fertilize them as the Sunset books tells me to.
I spoke with Father about the possibility of getting some of the very nice silk plants - you know - the kind you absolutely cannot see the differnece. I'm willing to keep the leaves free of dust and take care of them. He appears to be all for it; however, one of the parishioners said that it was "liturgically incorrect" to have anything that isn't real on the altar or anywhere near the church. I believe that we have some very extenuating circumstances and I have not been to any other church where silk plants are not used along with small real plants and flowers. It would certainly be beautiful up there and a lot less stress on me, as well.
Your thoughts and information on this "liturgical rule" would be graciously accepted ... Thank you and may God bless you and your families ...
Pace e Bene!
Patti Fleming, SFO