When Worlds Collide

   Have you ever had the experience of your worlds colliding?  Like on Seinfeld, when Elaine and Susan (George’s fiancé) start hanging out.  “Relationship George” and Friendship George” were never supposed to meet.  George’s life starts to fall apart.  I suppose that since I bear a resemblance to George Castanza (short, stocky, balding, yada yada yada) my life was bound to imitate his eventually.

   I just got back from a parish council meeting at St. Mike’s that I didn’t want to go to.  It all started today at 4:45pm.  I’m gearing up for the end of the day (and the end of Monday can never come fast enough) when my phone rings.  It’s the president of the credit union.  He says “We want to do a breakfast at area churches to promote the credit union.  Debbie’s working on things at St. Louis, why don’t you talk to Fr. Jed and see about setting this up at St. Michael’s”.  He gave me a few more details and click, hangs up the phone.  So I come home and I mention this to Cat, who says with enthusiasm, “You should come to the parish council meeting tonight, lets check with Jed”.  So she calls him, but no answer.  A bit later he calls back (damn caller id) and I run the idea past him.  He sounds interested but thinks talking to the parish council is a good idea too.  No here’s the problem…I know these people.  Some of them are my friends, others are just acquaintances, but I know them all from church.  So now I have to walk in and be all “Hi, my name is Rob Hardenbergh and I am here representing the U.P. Catholic Credit Union.”  Part of me wants to be relaxed and even a bit silly, part of me wants to be serious and business like.  WORLDS COLLIDE.  I knew from the get go this wasn’t going to be a fast ball hit into a home run.  It was more like a slider that I had to reach for and missed, throwing the bat from my hands toward the pitcher.  (ok, I shouldn’t to sports metaphors)  The initial reaction was positive, but then the one person had to react “I’m trying to be positive about this”, which really means Hell no, what are you thinking.  Then there were questions about how thought out this was (like I’m gonna tell them it came out of thin are three hours ago) and if it had been run past the diocese (which it wasn’t, won’t be, and doesn’t need to be).  I’m just the freakin’ messenger here people.  I come bearing an offer of free food and $250, so the credit union can have two people and some brochures out. 

  Now as a parishioner, I understand the concern.  Where do we draw the line?  Do we let any organization host a coffee social?  Do we only let the ones willing to fork over some dough?  But ultimately, it doesn’t hurt the parish.  It’s free food, and free money.  There would be no speech at announcement time.  There would be no sales pitch.  There would just be free food and some people there to answer questions, if there were any.  It’s pretty no-brainer to me.  Take the money and stuff your belly!

  I didn’t want to stick around for the debate.  I already stayed longer than I wanted too.  So I’ll find out their decision when Cat gets home from the meeting.  All I know is that “Church Rob” and “Work Rob” cannot take much more of this.  Something is bound to blow up in my face and I’m not looking forward to that.