Let me to take you on a little journey to a Big, Busy, Shopping Mall. Let me introduce to you someone.
He caused quite a commotion among the shoppers at the mall. Many dismissed him as annoying nut. He was dressed in a tattered flannel shirt and jeans. No one knew where he spent the night, but he was seen rummaging around the dumpsters for scraps of food from Orange Julius and McDonald’s. Every day he could be found by the beautifully lighted fountain near the mall’s food court. Despite his ragged appearance and that slightly “off” look in his eyes, there was a kindness and sincerity about him that drew people to him.
He would ask them why they would spend so much money for Christmas, why they would allow themselves to become so obsessed and stressed out over this tinseled holiday. “We like our Christmas with a lot of sugar, don’t we?” he would tease. But Christmas is about hope and love, he said – and that can be a struggle. Give gifts of kindness and compassion to each other. Seek forgiveness from family and friends who may be lost to you. Let the spirit of the Christ Child embrace every season of the year, not just December.
Those who listened would nod in agreement as he spoke – even as they tightened their grips on their shopping bags. Some were moved to quit shopping and go home to be with their families, others would go off and buy an extra toy or piece of clothing for charity; a few would even be moved to escape to a church or chapel for quiet prayer.
Sometimes he would rail against the insipid music and the gaudy decorations. When the mall Santa would walk by, he would make fun of him, asking the embarrassed Santa pointed questions about the real Christmas story.
Soon, though, the storeowners had had enough of his distractions. The mall managers had security escort him from the premises.
He wasn’t really hurting anyone, they realized.
But he had to go, they said.
He was ruining everyone’s Christmas.
“He Had to Go”. John the Baptists. They come in all ages, sizes, shapes, colors, sexes and backgrounds. What do they do? They tease, they challenge, they poke us, and they point us to Jesus. To Jesus’ way of life.
Pray with me today, Advent 2011, that we will not be blind to the John the Baptists that come into our daily lives. Believe me – they will come. Watch, Listen, and Believe.
Watch, Listen and Believe 12-6-2011
December 6th, 2011Partners 11-20-2011
November 20th, 2011Ever 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!
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant! – Deacon Patrick Conway and Claire Conway 11-13-2011
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!
