Thread: Penance and praise. (Attn: NPC and Anyone else).

Reply by Joe Franklin

Alex Stone enters the church wearing casual, yet crisp, clothing. He removes his fedora as he enters, and passes by the holy water and candles. He takes a seat a couple of pews away from Constantino, and pulls out a bible from his weathered satchel, and begins to read to himself.

Reply by Jess Phillips

Tino glances briefly at the new arrival. A very slight smile crosses his face, briefly as the man pulls his personal bible from the weathered satchel. Is he one of us? I wonder if he would be interested in attending midnight masses once a week. Of course I have to get them started first, but the more the merrier they say. Constantino looks back down at his rosary noting he in on the bead that represents "The Lord's Prayer" just before the fourth station. Maybe we'll have a chance to converse about it later. His lips move silently mouthing the "The Lord's Prayer" as he stares back up at the crucifix.

Reply by DeAnna Ross

An elderly man, slightly on the heavy side with deep smile lines on his face, appears from the hallway to the left of the alter, he looks around and then walks up to Constantino as he finishes his prayers. "May the blessings of Christ be upon you my child," He gives a short blessing. "Your kind offering to our ministry is greatly appreciated, I don't believe we've been introduced before... I am Father Abban." He extends his weathered hand towards Constantino and waits to see if he is warmly recieved.

Reply by Jess Phillips

Constantino see's the priest emerge from the vestibule to the left of the Alter. He looks back down at his rosary and whispers slightly, "Thank you, Lord." As the man approaches Tino looks back down and moves on to the next bead.
"Thank you father." Tino looks up and crosses himself again. Rubbing his hand quickly on his pant leg to create enough friction to give the appearance of warmth, Tino reaches up to shake the old priests hand.

"Would you join me father? My name is Constantino Giovanni and it is a pleasure to meet you....I've recently found my faith again, and am grateful that this fine city has such a wonderful testement to the glories of God."

Reply by DeAnna Ross

Abban takes Tino's hand and shakes it. "So good to meet you and praise be that you have found the path again, my Son. The glories of God are all around us, HE is in all places from this wonder of man's craft to the allyway out back where the meekest of the earth sometimes come for succor. Still, we are happy to provide a place to inspire souls to look towards their Father once more. If we have helped you in that way, I am grateful."

Reply by Jess Phillips

Tino nods as the man preaches, smiling politely the entire time. "Father, I was noting the mass schedule and was saddened to see that there is not a mass to accomodate those of us who keep late night schedules. Surely with all of the shift workers in this area it could be justified..." Pausing for a moment, he looks away slightly ashamed. "If funding is required, I would be honored to donate the resources required to make it plausible. After all, it is the least I could do to repay the Lord for all he has graced me with."

Reply by DeAnna Ross

The priest turns to Constantino. "My son, I urge you to take a different perspective on your revelations of late... whatever good has come into your life recently to make you open your eyes once more, it is not a gift in the sense that we so often feel gifts are given. The gifts of the Lord of Hosts has always been in your life, perhaps even more when you were blind to it than they are now. It is when we are most alone and in need of Him that He is ever nearer to us, protecting us even when we are not able to do so for ourselves. Surely the good that has recently come into your life is great, to have awakened you from your spiritual slumber, but," he smiles.

"You owe the Lord nothing... nothing save your observance and effort to not forget what you've seen during this reawakening of faith, when the hour is even darker than it was during your time wandering without Him. You must build up your heart and your soul for your next trials that you will face because we are constantly tested by greater and greater threats... the Father of Lies sees your strength now my Son and he will redouble his efforts in his attempts to regain your attentions."

Father Abban's face is quite serious now, a look of worry for you lines his face. "Know that whatever dark thing took your gaze from your Father in Heaven, it's possible that it could be nothing compared to whatever comes next and the Lord ... He is with you now, urging you to make yourself stronger in your relationship to him. To put your faith not in things of this world... but in something that will not ever leave or be taken from you. If there is anything I can do to help with that, my Son, I & my Brothers are here for you. I hope that you will not forget that fact, no matter how dark the night." He touches Tino's arm for a moment, as if to assure him that his words are not empty platitudes to a big donor.

"Now, as for those midnight masses... well, it's true we may have need of money, but only because the city is in need so much these nights. With the closing of some of our local charities, the church has taken on the task of caring for the majority of the city's needy. If we do remain open for a midnight service, I fear that our pews will be filled to the brim with those seeking nothing more than a way out of the weather and a hot meal. Don't make a mistake, surely all are welcome in the house of God, but I hope you can see where we would find ourselves wishing for more resources. Even our church is not big enough to give sleeping quarters and food to all the homeless who come to our doors during midnight mass AS WELL as house the parishoners who would want to observe our services."

"Perhaps if you really do feel the need to give something back to the city, perhaps you could help those most in need... we have many different groups who would be glad to take your donation or we'd be happy to direct you to other worthy groups who could do the most with your generous gift."

Reply by Jess Phillips

"Father I think, possibly you misread my intentions. I would very much like to fund a midnight mass, and if I can help those less fortunate at the same time, perhaps they can genuinely find God's light again as I have. The charities you speak of do admirable work, but I believe with faith and an outstretched hand the less fortunate can turn around their lives. It will take a combination of the two to provide the blessed existence that they deserve."

Reply by DeAnna Ross

The priest pauses and then he nods. "Very well. Of course we'll be happy to work with you on this good work you desire to do so badly." He nods and puts a hand on Tino's upper arm. "Shall we go to my office to discuss the details of what will be required then? I'm sure we can have the midnight masses started within the month if we both put our heads and hearts into the matter."