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When I was at Newman College (Birmingham), we had a chaplain called Father Paul. He was a nice guy and well liked. I remember the first time I went to see him. It was concerning a course called CCRS (-Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies). I wanted to do the course, but was worried about the Catholic bit. My confrontation with Father Paul went something like this : "I'm a Christian and want to make sure the course will be suitable for me. I appreciate Catholics believe slightly different things (such as praying to saints) and want to make sure what's taught on the course won't go against what I believe." Yes he did look at me a bit startled, but assured me I'd be fine. I don't think he ever forgot me after that though!!
One day, towards the end of my second year, Father Paul 'died'. I didn't understand much about the Catholic Church, but somehow Father Paul hadn't been Christened. Hence there was talk about whether he should be baptised before he was buried. The College Chapel was also closed for a week to show respect for Father Paul. (There was usually a daily mass.) This is pretty much all I remember about his 'death'.
Not long after Father Paul's 'death', I came back from teaching practice and there he was! I thought it must have been his ghost or something. He asked how my day had been, and I told him it hadn't been too bad, all the time wondering how this conversation came to be.
After two weeks of what I can only refer to as 'madness' (-the conversation rather worried me!), I was having dinner with some catholic friends. I had one question which HAD to be asked. "I know this sounds really silly, but is Father Paul dead?" I think I got a strange look from them at this point, as they told me he was alive and well!! It's something I've NEVER forgotten, though, and Father Paul, if you're reading this, I'm really sorry I thought you were dead! I think you may understand my 'strangeness' during that conversation after teaching practice now!!
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