Bats in the Belfry (and Sanctuary)
The squirrel post reminded me of a funny experience I had when serving mass...the 6:00 AM on a Sunday.
As we completed the Prayers at the Foot of the Alter and the priest went up the steps of the alter to begin Mass, I noticed from the corner of my eye something moving on the floor behind me between the alter rail and the foot of the alter. It was a good sized bat that had somehow landed on the floor. The bat had come down from the void between the very high ceiling and the floor. St. Pat's ceiling has ornate carved openings through which the bat came.
The bat kept inching its way toward me. I kept inching away from it. I later figured the bat was attracted by my black cassock. The sexton, who was tinkering around in the sacristy, came out with a broom and got rid of the bat.
Mass continued without a hitch with the nuns in the front rows looking on.
As we completed the Prayers at the Foot of the Alter and the priest went up the steps of the alter to begin Mass, I noticed from the corner of my eye something moving on the floor behind me between the alter rail and the foot of the alter. It was a good sized bat that had somehow landed on the floor. The bat had come down from the void between the very high ceiling and the floor. St. Pat's ceiling has ornate carved openings through which the bat came.
The bat kept inching its way toward me. I kept inching away from it. I later figured the bat was attracted by my black cassock. The sexton, who was tinkering around in the sacristy, came out with a broom and got rid of the bat.
Mass continued without a hitch with the nuns in the front rows looking on.
