On Saturday last, as we gathered for Evening Mass in Glann Church, there was a major downpour nearing Biblical proportion! It rained as if there were no tomorrow and Noah was just around the corner:) Despite this a fine congregation gathered and, as I began Mass, I jokingly welcomed them and added “You will get double green shield stamps for this!” People laughed but then I wondered how many there had no idea what I meant. The thought stayed with me and I came back to it in the homily.
I asked if anybody there who did not know what I meant when I mentioned “Green Shield Stamps” would mind holding up a hand. I had targeted, in saying that, a few of the younger adults and children there and, yes, sure enough, a number of hands went up. They had no idea what I meant.
I remember Green Shield Stamps very well. My mother used to collect them and paste them into “stamp books”. They were issued when someone bought petrol, food, various products. There was a bonus in making a purchase and an interest in collecting the stamps. A sort of hobby, a pastime, in many ways. Each stamp had a value (looking at Google just now, I realise the value was something in the region of 5c – if even that) and the stamps could be traded in for products in a catalogue. Interestingly I now discover that these stamps and catalogue were the precursor to today’s Argos. There was fun in collecting them, looking at the catalogue and setting your mind on something therein. I remember, for example, my mother getting a step ladder at one stage. The idea was that the stamps were put towards the overall cost and the balance was paid in cash. Some smaller items could be purchased entirely by the use of the stamps.
In any case, what struck me was how quickly something can pass from memory and slip from our vocabulary. We need to keep reminding ourselves of things, speaking about the more important things or they too could, in time, slip from memory.
I think the Faith and our prayers could all too easily slip into this category and much has, could and will be lost in the passing of the generations unless we keep reminding, keep wondering and keep praying and handing on the story – the truth of our faith, with its struggles and blessings, joys and sorrows, questions and answers.