Country Focus: January, the longest month of the year!

Is it just me or does January feel like the longest month of the year? Just knowing that we are starting February lifts my spirits because we are that much closer to spring.

I rejoined the church I grew up in, St. Catherine’s. I was baptized, received my First Communion, and confirmed there. My parents were married in that church and even my great-great grandpa Joe Kunze, Sr. is buried at the cemetery. The Kunze’s have a deep history with St. Kate’s. I received a tour of the church building, gymnasium and school. Wow, talk about a whole flood of memories. We even climbed the stairs to the choir loft. I’m willing to bet I had not been up there since I was in elementary school when our family ushered the Christmas Eve kids Mass. As we walked in the basement, I remembered attending confirmation class in one of the rooms. Deacon Gene Klein was one of the teachers. God Bless him. He put up with a lot from the class. As we made our way to the gymnasium, I couldn’t help but think of the teen dances that were held there. I completely forgot about the tunnel between the gym and the school.

When I attended Wednesday night CCD classes, we were in the old part of the school which is like what the Nome Schoolhouse looks like now. The floors creaked with every step. What is left of the old school hasn’t changed much from when I was a kid.

I joined Mom and Dad for Mass the other Sunday. Good luck trying to find them at 8:30 Mass when much of those attending are of similar age. Gray haired men wearing plaid shirts. They all look the same from the back, so I walk slower to make sure I sit with the right couple. Even if I sat with a couple who were not my parents, chances are I know them anyways.

Here’s to February and being closer to spring!