This past week, the Teach Bhride team has seen their schedules begin filling up as the first Confirmation meetings took place, the vigil, folk, children’s, and family choirs all had their first masses and weekly rehearsals, we have begun planning and playing music for weekday masses, and we have begun planning for class masses with the elementary schools. By the time we all head home at the end of the day, it has become commonplace for us to retreat to the nearest bed, couch, or comfy chair with a cup of tea to unwind. The sudden rise of workload has not deterred us from being able to recognize the beauty that is Wexford, Ireland, however:
downtown Wexford!
One of the many awesome features about our little home on Cluain Dara is that it is within walking distance from everything we need to get to. If we walk down the street to Clonard road and turn left, we will be lead directly to the Church. Then, if you go past that you will be brought down Summer hill into the downtown area where they have all the shops, restaurants and coffee shops you could ever want that sit just a block away from the water on Main Street. However, if you walk down to Clonard road and take a right, you are brought to the glory that is the Irish countryside. The other day I decided to take a walk and, for the first time, I turned right toward the countryside. On my walk I hopped a few fences and walked up to a hill where I found it necessary to sit down and enjoy the view. The sky was bright blue, the grass was a deep green, and the hills curved the land for miles along farm fields, homes, and towns in the distance as the sun began to descend just a couple hours prior to sunset. I didn’t have a camera to take a picture, but even if I did I would imagine it wouldn’t be able to give it justice. All I did was sit, watch, and pray before I went on my way. In my journal for that day is one simple line that reads, “I recognize that today I saw something beautiful”.
Bacon and cheese chips on the water
Also, as a quick side note, the food here is delicious. If someone ever says that Irish people can’t cook, they are lying. My new favourite restaurant is Cisten Ella in downtown Wexord. I have been there three times in the past few weeks and I don’t regret it. We have also been blessed with some amazing meals at Fr. Dennis and Fr. James’ homes. From salmon and stuffed chicken to Guinness cheese cake and rhubarb pie, I find myself looking forward to any invitation to stop over for a meal. But, this is not to say I look for an escape from the cooking at the house. In fact, I have been blessed to live with some pretty incredible cooks who find great joy in finding delicious pictures of food on Pinterest and making them a reality for my willing taste buds. My personal cooking ability is improving as I got the chance to make my own Pinterest find this past Wednesday- Guinness chilli. I’m not going to pretend to be humble, it tasted pretty great. I have no problem admitting, however, that Wednesday night meals will most often be a simple frozen pizza and a salad.
Cheers, Ben Wagner
