NEW CASTLE —
As a child, I was the only Protestant in my Irish Catholic neighborhood.
The only thing I really knew about being a Catholic was you couldn't eat meat on Friday.
When I was teenager at George Washington, I heard the Mahoningtown kids say they were trying to get out of school to get ashes.
Those guys knew all the angles.
At home, we had a coal furnace and Dad always put the ashes on the sidewalk when it was icy.
I thought, because it was icy out the Mahoningtown kids were going to get ashes at church to spread on the school’s sidewalk.
I asked if I could go with them.
They said I couldn't because I wasn't a Catholic.
I didn't think that was very nice of them to give out ashes only to Catholics.
Since I always rode the rides free on Catholic Day at Cascade Park, I thought I could get free ashes, too.
Much later in life, I found out what they were talking about.
The other day I had the pleasure of going to a fish fry at a Roman Catholic church.
I really enjoy sitting at a table and having fellowship with people you wouldn't normally have dinner with.
One gentleman at the table told us his wife could not have any ice cream because she gave it up for Lent.
One nice thing about being a Protestant is we don't have to give anything up for Lent.
If I did, it would always be coconut.
Maybe this Lent I could give up telling jokes about my wife.
Probably not!
I think I'll just stick with the coconut thing.
Gary Church
Related Photos
-
About Gary Church: Gary is a columnist and contributing writer for The News. He’ll share his thoughts on this blog each Tuesday and Friday.
Discussion
Gary Church: What would I forgo for Lent? Hmm, I give up
- Gary Church
-
-
Gary Church: A REAL buffet for Father’s Day? Now that’s saying a mouthful!
My favorite thing about Mother’s Day is the buffet. I can do some real damage with a nice spread of food laid out before me. A good, homemade buffet can't be beat.
-
Gary Church: A little trimmer is just the right fit for someone my age
There are definite signs in my life that show I'm really starting to age. I can't believe that I just bought a battery powered trimmer/edger. The gas trimmer I have now is 25 years old and very powerful.
-
Gary Church: Gary the Governor? It’s starting to grow on me
Every day, while walking home from West Side School, I would pass the fire station on Smithfield Street. Twice a year, the fire station turned into the election place, where my parents voted.
-
Gary Church: A Facebook friend request and the new ‘normal’
I recently received a friend request on Facebook from a woman named Robin. I wasn’t familiar with this person. Being a little skeptical, I wrote back and wanted to know why she picked me, when she didn't know me.
-
Gary Church: Neighbor’s ‘gift’ keeps on giving ... me fits!
When my neighbor Mike moved to Texas, I inherited a few of his things he didn't have room for. One of them was a very heavy cement bird bath.
-
Gary Church: It’s spring, so it’s time to come clean on all my junk
Last Monday started off normal. I shaved, showered, and shampooed as usual. We had breakfast and read the paper as we normally do.
-
Gary Church: Difficulty with Mexican food? Runs in the jeans ... er, genes
When we go to Sharon, I enjoy having lunch at Nikos and Lou's Coney Island. My wife finally put her foot down, and wanted to eat somewhere else for a change. She suggested Chipotle Mexican Grill.
-
Gary Church: What am I writing about today? I really don't know — really
I was surprised to read in a doctor’s column that the statin drugs I'm taking may cause memory loss. It's nice to know that it's not my fault that I can't remember things anymore. But it is getting a little scary.
-
Gary Church: Blindfolded taste-testers? Ha, what a bunch of weenies!
New Castle people are sure passionate about their hot dogs. If you ever want to get comments on your Facebook page, just bring up that subject.
-
Gary Church: Mocking my underwear? Hey, that’s below the belt!
It's a little rough on a guy when his family members are all fashion consultants. My wife and daughter both questioned me: "When did your underwear start showing above your belt?" I thought that was in vogue nowadays.
- More Gary Church Headlines
-
