This reminds me of the little chains we used to weave in camp with plastic about the size of the rattail used in the instructions.
It took me a good deal of time to figure out, and I made a huge mess of things as well. But the persistence paid off in the end. I’ve enjoyed making prayer ropes for a number of years now. Even if people weren’t buying them from me and I had no one to give them to, I think I’d continue making them. It’s a very soothing practice.
Please pray for myself and my family as you use your new ropes. And if you have any questions, comments, complaints, or just want to chat, feel free to PM me any time. It’s been a delight talking to you, and I’m excited that you’ve finally been fully received into the Church.They might have arrived on Saturday. I was in Florida and just got home.
No. Falls Church is the name of a city in Northern Virginia right outside of Washington, D.C. It’s usually just considered to be part of D.C.
Ahh! I play the tin whistle myself. Well, I like to say I do, but I’ve got much to learn haha.No. Falls Church is the name of a city in Northern Virginia right outside of Washington, D.C. It’s usually just considered to be part of D.C.
What part of Ireland are you from? I was on the west coast in County Clare nearly 10 years ago when I competed on flute and tinwhistle at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. Lovely country! I’d love to go back there some day.
Some of my favorite flute players are from Belfast, at least originally. There’s some excellent music up there. If you ever get the chance, see if you can find a guy named Harry Bradley. He’s one of my favorite flute players, and a primary inspiration of my own flute playing. Incidentally he also had one of my students at a week long music camp. Judging from her playing he said that she must have an excellent teacher. I was very flattered by the comment.
Wow, you’re right! He’s incredible, I hadn’t heard of him before.Some of my favorite flute players are from Belfast, at least originally. There’s some excellent music up there. If you ever get the chance, see if you can find a guy named Harry Bradley. He’s one of my favorite flute players, and a primary inspiration of my own flute playing. Incidentally he also had one of my students at a week long music camp. Judging from her playing he said that she must have an excellent teacher. I was very flattered by the comment.
Anyhow, PM me sometime if you want to continue talking music.
Do you have an Eastern Catholic or Orthodox Church there in Belfast?
I ask because I am only aware of one Eastern Catholic parish in all of Ireland. It’s a Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Dublin. I’ve never been there myself, but have heard good things of both it and its pastor, Fr. Serge Keleher. I thought if there was one up in Belfast then perhaps you’d have a chance to attend a Byzantine Divine Liturgy at some point.Wow, you’re right! He’s incredible, I hadn’t heard of him before.
I certainly will. I’m not aware of any eastern Catholic churches, myself. I didn’t know there was a difference untill fairly recently though, so perhaps I’m not the best to say
Why do you ask?
According to some google searches that does seem to be the only one indeed. Would you recommend it? I know nothing of Eastern Churches.I ask because I am only aware of one Eastern Catholic parish in all of Ireland. It’s a Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Dublin. I’ve never been there myself, but have heard good things of both it and its pastor, Fr. Serge Keleher. I thought if there was one up in Belfast then perhaps you’d have a chance to attend a Byzantine Divine Liturgy at some point.
I’m glad you enjoyed Harry Bradley. I have a couple of his albums, and hope to have the rest one day.
Having never been there I can’t say that I recommend it 100%. But the pastor there has a good reputation, and I’ve heard good things of the parish as well. So I would simply say, check it out for yourself, then you can tell me what you think!
How far is Belfast from Dublin?I’ll bear it in mind. With the new roads Dublin is a 2 hour drive now (no longer the rocky road to Dublin!) I wouldn’t be down there with any kind of regularity but do end up there now and again. If an occasion arrives I’ll give it a shot, I just might not be allowed in again after they’ve heard me sing, though.Having never been there I can’t say that I recommend it 100%. But the pastor there has a good reputation, and I’ve heard good things of the parish as well. So I would simply say, check it out for yourself, then you can tell me what you think!
Oh, if you do end up going, however, there are a few things to be aware of. First, Communion is always received on the tongue via a spoon. Do NOT say “Amen” when the priest gives you Communion. This would cause a big mess. Also, it is possible that the Liturgy will be in Ukrainian. Alternatively it could be totally in English. Or, again alternatively, it could be in a combination of Ukrainian, English and Irish (I heard Mass once in Irish… AMAZING!!!). Also, let a parishioner know that you are a visitor and unfamiliar with the Byzantine tradition. Usually Eastern Catholics are happy to help a visiting Roman Catholic through the Liturgy. Expect a lot of singing. The Byzantine Liturgy is normally completely sung. Otherwise, I’d say, just go, watch attentively, try to sing along as best you can, but don’t get caught up looking at a book to follow along. Not only is this very difficult, but you’ll also miss a lot of the actions of the priest and people. So just go and enjoy!
Fr. Serge is active on Byzcath Forum. Also a parishioner is active there (unless he’s active here, I think it’s on Byzcath.) That fellow was new to Divine Liturgy not so long ago himself. I sent him a copy of the DL in English that the Greeks sell for about $5. here because he couldn’t find anything over there to buy in English that wasn’t a big chunk of change.
I believe it’s a Liturgy mainly in Ukrainian. But don’t let that keep you from going, Darran. I’d encourage you to make contact with Fr. Serge when you know you may be heading that way.
My first knotted prayer rope was a bracelet, wool. I loved it but eventually stopped wearing it because I’m very often taking off and putting on a sweater or jacket and it would come off my wrist without me realizing it. By the grace of God I never lost it but many times realized it wasn’t on my wrist and discovered it in the sleeve of what I took off, or fallen on the floor.
Cheers, I will do
I just read this and remembered that Fr. Serge has been very seriously ill recently and I haven’t seen an update on his condition for several weeks. (There is a prayer request running for him on Byzcath.) The report first and most recent came via St. Michael’s Russian Church in NYC.I believe it’s a Liturgy mainly in Ukrainian. But don’t let that keep you from going, Darran. I’d encourage you to make contact with Fr. Serge when you know you may be heading that way.
Darran;8418266:
Cheers, I will do
Maybe you can take have folks send you their wrist measurements if they want one that will fit around the wrist.