Ever had the experience – I know I met this person somewhere before but I don’t remember where or when. Then it all clicks, I remember.
Somewhere in heaven. When they first crossed paths, they didn’t notice one another. It was only after sitting side by side at the same dinner table several evenings in a row that they started turning their heads a second time so as to almost say, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Neither said anything. Then one evening they found themselves facing one another across the table. Their eyes could not help but meet and their faces had similar scars.
Finally, one said, “I’ve been noticing you for some time now. You look so familiar, but I can’t place where we may have met. I thought maybe it was in prison somewhere, but it wasn’t, because I never forget a face I knew there.”
“Funny you say that, I had a similar feeling about you, but I can’t place you. Anyway, my name is Joseph” – and he reached out across the table to shake hands. When they clasped, they both remembered immediately. The scars on the hands from the imprint of the nails – they remembered their crosses!
“Now I remember you,” Joseph said. “We were crucified with that fellow, Jesus.”
“That’s right,” Samuel piped in. “I’m surprised to see you in heaven. You said some pretty rotten things to Jesus.”
“I know. I was scared senseless, but didn’t want to let go of my macho image, so I took it out on Jesus.”
“Well, how did you get in here saying those things?”
“When I heard you admit your crime and ask for Jesus’ help, I knew that’s really how I felt in my heart, but couldn’t find the words for. Lucky thing for me Jesus paid more attention to my heart than to my lips that day.”
Lucky thing for all of us! That Jesus, our Lord and God, pays more attention to our hearts than to our lips. Lucky thing!
Archive for November, 2011
Partners 11-20-2011
Sunday, November 20th, 2011Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant! – Deacon Patrick Conway and Claire Conway 11-13-2011
Sunday, November 13th, 2011(Deacon Patrick)
You may recall that last spring a couple in our parish, who wish to remain anonymous, were inspired by this parable we heard today to give each of our 21 first-year confirmation candidates $50, and challenge them to “pay it forward” – to use the money to do something good for someone else. At a 10:15 mass they were presented with the $50. One of the candidates is here today to tell us what she did. Claire, what did you do with your $50?
(Claire)
At first I had no idea what to do, but then I decided to open my eyes and really try to see a need in my community that I could help with. Walking down the hallways at school, I passed by the same people every day. I knew their names and they knew mine, but we had never said one word to each other. So I decided to just start saying hi to people. I noticed a dramatic difference! I made so many new friends. I felt happier and I think the people around me felt acknowledged and loved. And it was such an easy and simple thing to do! I wanted that not only for my community but for the whole world, one hello at a time. I got the idea to use the $50 to have some wristbands made to remind people to say hello to one another. And I decided to call it Project Hello. It was also around the time of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and I wanted my project to also benefit the people who had lost everything. So I decided to ask for a dollar donation for each wristband, and to give half of the donation to Catholic Relief Services tsunami relief and to use the other half to buy more wristbands so that I could continue to spread the message of Project Hello.
(Deacon Patrick)
So, how did it turn out?
(Claire)
I started selling them here at church and at my high school, St. Francis. Last April at our Seder meal with Temple Beth El I got the chance to talk about Project Hello, and I raised over $100 that night. When my godmother was visiting from Italy, she bought some to take back with her to sell there. Last summer I attended Vision youth conference at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, and I was asked by the leaders to talk about Project Hello in front of the 500 high school students from all over the country who were attending. Many of them bought wristbands. St. Francis High School bought 100 wristbands to give to out at Freshman orientation this year. And last Thursday I gave a wristband to two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Volleyball Player Kerri Walsh when she came to St. Francis. Nearly 600 wristbands have been sold so far and people have taken them to Texas, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Hawaii, New York, Chicago, Florida, Italy and France.
(Deacon Patrick)
How much money have you raised so far?
(Claire)
$700. Half of that has been donated to Catholic Relief Services and the other half has been used to buy 600 wristbands.
(Deacon Patrick)
Besides raising $350 for CRS, what good do you think has been done – what have you seen, and what do you hope will come of all of this?
(Claire)
At my school I’ve seen people being friendlier to one another and taking time to talk with one another. I’ve also seen the classes being more welcoming to one another. It’s also inspired other students to start their own projects, like one student at my school who wants to start a sports camp to help younger kids. My hope is that more people will realize that everyone is of value and worth talking to, and that people will realize their worth and use it to build a stronger community rooted in kindness.
(Deacon Patrick)
Claire, that’s amazing! You’ve taken that $50 and multiplied it 14-fold in money alone! But the spiritual and human benefits of what you’ve done are immeasurable. I believe that one day God will show you what you’ve accomplished in goodness – and you’ll be amazed!
Claire, you’ve also been given the gift of Catholic education – eight years at our parish school, Good Shepherd, and a year and a half at our diocesan catholic high school, St. Francis. Can you tell us what that gift has meant to you and what you’ve done with it so far?
(Claire)
Being a student at St. Francis means hard work, but a lot of fun, too! The classes are challenging, but nothing is expected that you can’t accomplish. One of my favorite parts of St. Francis is the teachers. They actually care if you understand a concept and they want you to succeed and they are willing to spend extra time outside of class to help you. We have rallies, which are crazy and the class competition gets intense! Our sports program is a big part of our school too. The campus is beautiful, right on Kelly Lake with a perfect view of the hills in the background. The people, I love the people! They become your extended family. St. Francis is my home away from home!
(Deacon Patrick)
What has St. Francis High School done for you as a person?
(Claire)
It has challenged me to take on responsibilities and actively participate in my community, and it has helped me to see that life truly is what I make it. It has given me the confidence that I can succeed in anything with hard work and faith in God. Spiritually, learning in the community of faith has enabled me to see how God is always present in my life and having that family supporting me is amazing.
(Deacon Patrick)
Why should people consider going to St. Francis?
(Claire)
St. Francis is a school where students are fostered in all the ways necessary to succeed in life and college. I love how St. Francis is a perfect balance of hard work, love for God and His people, and play! It’s an investment in your entire self: body, mind and soul.
I’d also like to invite everyone to come to an open house next Sunday, from 1-4 pm. I’ll be in the back after mass in case anyone wants to more about St. Francis.
(Deacon Patrick)
Thanks, Claire, for your inspiring words and example!
Ya Buts 11-6-11
Sunday, November 6th, 2011This gospel reminds me of two special stories.
The first story:
There is a town that has four separate neighborhoods. The first neighborhood is called, “Yabuts.” The people who live there think they know what needs to be done. As a matter of fact, they talk about it quite convincingly – up to a point. When told they have an opportunity for something, the conversation goes something like this: “Ya, but…” The “Yabuts” have the answer. It just happens to be the wrong answer.
The next neighborhood is known as the “Gunnados.” Now they are some of the best-intentioned folks you could ever meet. They really understand what needs to be done, and they would have done it, if they had only followed through. They study everything that is required very carefully, and just as an opportunity drifts past them, they realize what they were “gunnado.” If only they had done what they were “gunnado.”
Another neighborhood is known as the “Wishawoodas.” These people have an excellent perspective on life – hindsight. They say, “I ‘wishawooda’ this, or ‘wishawooda’ that…” They know everything that should be done, only it’s after the fact.
The last neighborhood is known as the “Gladidids.” They are a truly special group of people. The “Wishawoodas” drive by the “Gladidids” homes and admire them. The “Gunnados” want to join them, but just cannot quite get around to it. The “Yabuts” could have been “Gladidids,” but destiny just did not smile on them. The “Gladidids” are pleased that they are disciplined enough to do what they know they should do instead of always doing what they wanted to do.
These are the four neighborhoods. In which neighborhood do you live? In which one would you rather live? 1) Yabuts 2) Gunnados 3) Wishawoodas 4) Gladidids.
The second story:
There is an ancient story about three demons who were arguing over the best way to destroy the Christian mission in the world. The first demon says, “Let’s tell all the Christians there is no heaven. Take away the reward incentive and the mission will collapse.” The second demon says, “Let’s tell all the Christians there is no hell. Take away the fear of punishment and the mission will collapse.” The third demon says, “There is one better way. Let’s tell all the Christians that there is no hurry” and all three immediately say, “That’s it! All we have to do is tell them there’s no hurry and the whole Christian enterprise will collapse.”
Some things can’t be put off to the last minute- the foolish bridesmaids needed to be reminded of this. We are reminded – happy is the person who takes to heart this message and does something about it today.
