Cindy bows out over the language issue..

Another year has arrived and Cindy wishes everyone a blessed and prayerful year as we each discern the whisper of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We share one journey though we travel different paths. Cindy would not exchange her life with anyone and she hopes the readers here all love their lives also.

Today is the thirty-third anniversary of Cindy meeting her husband for the very first time. It is a time of reminiscing thinking back to the first time their eyes met as they shook hands upon introduction. Cindy knew at that moment, this man had a special charm about him and within a few hours Cindy was a prisoner of love. Later she discovered the man felt the same about her and within 6 months they become husband and wife to the delight of both their families.

So Cindy wants to share with you the utter joy of almost 33 years of marriage and their three children. The elder daughter has just had a baby of her own - yes Cindy has just become a grandmother. The dear little fellow has already brought great joy to his extended family.

Over the past week, Cindy has followed the discussion about the use of language on this Catholica website. Cindy loves the English language and the many wonderful and varied words available to describe every situation. A few years ago she heard for the first time the word 'luminescence' and immediately fell in love with it. In some ways it describes the silent space that happens in prayer. We feel nothing is happening when we bring ourselves into the silent presence of the Lord, yet the feeling of joy that sometimes comes upon us - and the peace that stays with us is a form of illumination. We have been transformed as we take upon us the luminescence of God. We are bathed in grace and beauty as our souls shine in translucent splendour. We retain our own transfiguration experiences to treasure the memory of when things are not so bright in our lives. When Cindy sees a moonlit sky with traces of cloud casting eerie shadows upon the crust of the earth, she knows God is bathing the world and all its creatures in luminescence.

So it comes to pass, that Cindy has decided she no longer wishes to share her writings for a website using the language standards the editor and publisher has outlined. She sees no reason for the descriptive words the editor is prepared to allow when the English language contains a prolific choice of words — more probably than any other language on earth.

Cindy would not want her grandchild to hear those words as he grows up and she does not wish to see them in a Catholic website. If this means she is a narrow prude, then it is a title she wears proudly because she has a zero tolerance of the 'f' word.

Sadly Cindy says goodbye to the Catholica readers and wishes you all the very best. She thanks you for your appreciation of the twenty-three little chats she has had with you here. She also asks you to respect and cherish the English language and value the gift of speech in your life. Our mouths are the organ through which we bring the Word of God into our spiritually starving world. The words we speak say much about who we are inside and give messages to other people about ourselves.

In this amazing world where some of us have the privilege of 'freedom of choice', Cindy leaves you with the blessing of your God. Until we meet again "May you be held in the palm if God's hand".

Cindy

Cindy the Sacristan is the pseudonym of one of the long-time members of our community. In real life she has spent many years in a voluntary capacity as sacristan in a large outer suburban parish.

We welcome your thoughts in response to this column in our forum.

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