Bible Sunday

November 18th and no real rain yet despite some showers and thunder.
Short Mass this morning; only 1 hour 45 mins- a young visiting Franciscan priest not wanting to inconvenience folk by being late despite an extra procession; being Bible Sunday the Holy Bible was danced in and offered to the priest, then enthroned on a specially decorated lecturn.  Later we had the offerings; each member of the congregation walks (or dances) up to put their collection money in one of two wooden padlocked boxes held by members of the 'lay' group responsible for the liturgy that week.  These boxes are then taken outside the church entrance and a procession formed of these lay members, beautifully dressed in matching chitenges, T shirts and head wraps who dance in, bringing gifts which can include sacks of maize meal, bottles of cooking oil, vegetables, chickens and even goats (live) for a special festivity, either trussed like the hens or on the hoof.  There is usually a chosen group of the congregation, men, women or youths, who are to bring something special-the preferred gift is money in an envelope but, again, anything goes.