We usually attend the vigil Mass on Saturday evening, but our routine varies when we travel. Yesterday, we returned to St. John Vianney for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Many Italians in that parish -- Italians who still speak the language, even after several generations in North America. Listening to people visit after Mass transported me to the Jean-Talon Market area, where Notre Dame de la Défense is the mother church of Montreal's Italian community. We recognized many parishioners, particular the white dinner jacket and bow tie clad ushers. I loved the music -- mostly contemporary -- and the choir, though more attention was paid to key and time than to phrasing and musicality.
We spent part of the afternoon at the pool and enjoyed cocktail hour on the deck. Then we grabbed a sandwich at Subway and headed to Pass-a-Grille for supper on a bench before sunset. We were joined by winter visitors from Maryland, giving Bob his favorite opportunity to "talk to strangers", a pleasant couple looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
