Got up early for breakfast. After breakfast, two coach loads of Crystal guests headed off for Schweikberg Abbey.
It was a full Christmas Day Catholic Mass with Holy Communion...in German. The church would only have been half full if not for the 50+ Crystal guests there.
After the service, Abbot Rhabanus Petri came out to welcome the Crystal guests in English and gave us a talk about the Abbey and its history and its work. This is one representative of the church who does really does religion credit by reflecting a jovial and humourous disposition yet looks at the world from practical perspective. He made anything fun when speaking. He is also a very good singer and sings in a group called The Priests
Anything to raise money for the Abbey and for charity.
We also visited the Abbey's African Museum that exhibited decades of collections from their missionary work in various parts of African.
We visited the shop where they sold their homemade brew - the weak stuff which was 45% proof and the good stuff that was 77% proof; ie moonshine (or the Recipe for anyone who remembers The Waltons on TV). Also bought some honey based gummy bears in the shop. It is all for a good cause.
Changed for Christmas lunch on the boat!
Several guests just walked around on their own; which is what I did. It is a pretty place despite the grim weather.
The early evening show was a real treat if you love The Sound of Music and Christmas Carols
After dinner, there was a piano recital by Filip Wojciechowski. Then he dueted with his wife. Finally he trio-ed with his wife and son
No comments:
Post a Comment