The only bit that remains.

I was brought up a Catholic but have long thought that its liturgy is nonsense and anyone who believes otherwise is a halfwit. Yet I retain an inexplicable respect and reverence for the requiem mass. I was in Manchester yesterday for Caroline Aherne’s funeral and, although it was 200 miles from my childhood church, it was exactly the same. Filled with comforting scents and sounds and kindly Irish people who reminded me of my dad. I stood between (forgive the name dropping) Steve Coogan and Terry Christian, two other lapsed Catholics. We all got a bit confused by the slight alterations in the rhythms and responses introduced since we were altar boys. Afterwards we all agreed that, nonsense or not, it was a lovely way to say goodbye.