I arrived home late yesterday.

The drive home was miserable from a weather perspective. It was made better by my iPod and good thoughts.

The funeral went as expected. I appreciate the generosity of the Rev. Robert Wardenski of Immaculate Conception R.C. Church in East Aurora, NY who allowed me to sit in the sanctuary for the funeral liturgy. My cousin’s family appreciated me being there and participating in that way.

My cousin’s friend Eleanor did indeed pass while still at the funeral home. I was blessed to be with her to pray and give her a blessing in her last moments. Her husband subsequently asked me if I gave her last rites. I was factually honest with him and told him that as a deacon I could not do that, but that I did what was in my authority. He was comforted by this.

Regarding Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, the most interesting thing I observed was – prominently displayed in the sacristy and apparently ready for use, an Altar card containing the Canon in Latin, pre-Vatican II.