August 3, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

This week was crammed with wonderful ministry opportunities including bedside visits to two parishioners who have since gone to the Lord and another who is presently very sick. Dorothy Dougherty and Art Moran, both beautiful and faithful people, died in the midst of loving family members on Thursday. Please keep their families and also Michael Furlong in prayer this week. Mike has been very sick and is awaiting a liver transplant.

Do to several parish obligations this week and last, my two days at Chautauqua took place on Thursday and Friday. I returned early this morning to Bath for Dorothy and Art's Funeral Masses, (10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.), a joyous noon celebration of Jim and Geri Galvin's 50th wedding anniversary (including a renewal of vows), an Irish Party in their honor and the weekend Masses. Following tonight's funeral, I hope to catch the second act of the local production of "Oklahoma" which is featuring several of our parishioners.

Fr. Jim has taught me a new expression "Today, we've crammed 50 pounds of stuff into a ten pound bag." I'll sleep well tonight.

Reminder:
Last weekend, I invited my parishioners and friends to join me on a day trip to Chautauqua and Catholic House on Sunday, August 10. If you live in the vicinity of Bath, we'll be leaving the St. Mary's Parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and returning at about 9:00 p.m. Please join us. Sundays are Free admission days at the Chautauqua Institution an d a great day to visit this terrific place.

Have a great week.

This Week's Column: August 3, 2008 - Small Miracles of Generosity

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because ‘it was too crowded'. "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the real reason that “there was no room for her.” Taking her by the hand, he took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship God.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the girls funeral arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found –which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school." For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his parishioners to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cents.

Church members made large pledges. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 – a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century).

Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. The Temple Baptist Church in Philadelphia, with a seating capacity of 3,300, Temple University where hundreds of students are trained Good Samaritan Hospital and a huge Sunday School building so that no child would ever need to be left outside . . . were all the result of that young girl’s gift of 57 cents.

We could look at today’s Gospel and marvel at the miracle of the loaves and fish and say . . . “Wow – that Jesus sure did work a big miracle.” We could read the reading from Isaiah and say . . . “How wonderful that the Lord invites the poor and thirsty and hungry to come to Him.” We could read Paul’s letter to the Romans And say . . . “Isn’t it wonderful that nothing can separate us from God’s love.”

But there is an even deeper message in today’s scripture. It is our power – to transform the world – no matter how insignificant our gifts may appear to us. Jesus took the insignificant lunch of a young boy to feed 5,000. The pastor took the insignificant 57-cent gift of a young girl and used it to significantly and permanently change a community. Your seemingly insignificant word of praise, inspires a child to believe in herself. Your simple invitation, encourages someone to join our parish community. Your simple communion visit to a homebound parishioner remembers him or her to the parish community. Your card or telephone call of encouragement, arrives at a time its most needed. Few would claim that their small act of kindness is miraculous, yet through you, God’s power can be as present and as visible as on the mountainside where Jesus fed the 5,000.

For whenever people act with compassion and bring forth their gifts – insignificant as the gifts may seem to the donor – God is powerfully present and the miracle of love happens. And no-one - but God – fully knows – the impact that your gift, your act of compassion, has on the world.

Missionary Sisters of St. Columban

Today we welcome Sister Virginia Mozo, a Columban Sister who will speak to us of the work that her order carries out in Asia and South America. Your prayers and financial assistance will enable the Sisters to continue to serve the poor among whom their missionary sisters live and work. Please be as generous as you can to our second collection.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: August 3rd, 2008