Melbourne Diary V

Day 5: Thursday, March 19, 2015

Attended a funeral. The church was large, airy and very modern.  Here the coffins are closed and a photo kept on top. The organist was from Sri Lanka – had a bit of a natter with her after the Mass – she played the double-keyboard and led the singing superbly.  Lovely soprano voice which came into its own during the solo ‘Ave Maria’ at Communion. The hymns were the same as back home – Here I am Lord, The Lord is my Shepherd, How Great Thou Art – so I could sing along wholeheartedly.  The congregation, just like at home, were sporadic in their responses. Most Catholics here are occasional in their observance and while respectful are not ‘congregational’!!

The celebrant led us through the Requiem Mass with a little commentary which made it very personal. The ceremony involving the Baptismal water, the stole and the Paschal candle were very unusual – for me at least – and certainly a novel experience. Meaningful, too, since the Priest explained the ‘why’. Met Fr. Matheson after the Mass.  He’s also the Parish Priest. Was disappointed to find that they do not have a communication cell, only a Bulletin which gives the Mass and service timings. They have a website run by a lady who works in the Parish Office. Must check that out.

Was glad to find that the toilets lead from the back of the Church – inside not out – and were spotlessly clean with oodles of toilet paper on roll.  It was just like being in your own home!!

Fellowship followed with the most amazing snacks. Mini club sandwiches and pastries were laid out on tables in the centre of the room, we were expected to help ourselves and we certainly did! Tea and Coffee were on offer too.

Here was the celebration of a life and not a mourning for the dead.  Certainly no tears but lots of happy memories. Perhaps a quiet moment of feeling and a murmured consolation.

Since it was a cremation, the undertaker’s uniformed pallbearers hoisted the coffin and bore it respectfully out of the church, into the hearse and away to the crematorium.  No one was expected to accompany.

After meeting the family, we took ourselves off for a masala dosa lunch at Lakshmi Vilas!!!  Yes, they have an Udipi here, with the works.  Authentically prepared too.  That was a nostalgic taste from home and the proprietress came over to have a friendly chat.  It’s amazing to find so many Indians here.  Actually, so many other nationalities – I have never overhead so many different languages spoken in a short span of time: mostly Mandarin / Cantonese (or Chinese, if you like!), German, Arabic, Lebanese, and some unidentifiable.  The Indians tend to speak English so, no, I did not hear my native tongue.

Came home and took a solo stroll around the neighbourhood.  The houses are so neat and each one has its own garden. The whole area has lawns and trees. It’s green. Though we are away from the city – quite ‘away’ from the city, in fact – there is a square surrounded by shops of every kind and the locals are well catered for. One thing I’ve not seen much of is public transport – no car, no go anywhere. Walking does not count. The distances are tremendous.