LOVE BEYOND ALL TELLING

Teach the Children About Divine Mercy

Dear Father Abel,

Today you told us God’s love supports and sanctifies. You said, “be part of the vine to remain in Christ.” Also, something like, we don’t know how to share Christ. The goal is not to feel good about ourselves but to gather souls. 

Last weekend I attended a Marian Conference in Chicago. I invited my brother, Gary and my niece, Elizabeth to go with me to this spiritual event. My brother has attended the conference with me in the past, but I was surprised Elizabeth came this time as well. She suffers from depression and sleeps a lot. She doesn’t like to go out much, but she came for her father. Gary and Elizabeth share a tragedy that happened four years ago. It’s very sad.

The morning of the first day of the conference, Gary and I were ready to go downstairs. I asked if we should wake Elizabeth, but he said no. He warned me not to expect Elizabeth to participate much. But a couple of hours later, she joined us in time for Mass. Later when we met for lunch, Elizabeth told us she wanted to go to confession. So after lunch she and my brother got in line.

Later, I got in line for confession but when I was to be next, a lady came upstairs and informed us that the priests need a break. She asked us not to go in for confession when someone comes out. Soon someone came out and I went in. I was happy to see it was Father Dennis from Uganda. I have spoken with him before. He has a school for children, raising the little ones in the Catholic Faith. We said hello to each other but then I remembered what the lady said and told him I wasn’t supposed to be there because he needs a break. He immediately stood up. Then the same lady came in and told Father she had a replacement for him, but Father surprised me and said, “I’ll take this one more.”

After confessing I told Father Dennis that priests are always telling us to evangelize, to spread the good news but they never say how. I told him we have a large database of non-practicing Catholics in our parish, but we don’t go door to door to invite them back to church. He asked if I would like to do that. I said, “yes, I would!” Then I said “Father, I wish I could see your children. I know I would love them.” He smiled and told me to come to Uganda! I asked how long I would stay. He said as long as you want. I said, “maybe 2 or 3 weeks?” He said yes. I asked what would I do? He said I could teach the children about Divine Mercy. I laughed. Earlier I told him about doing that at our parish, St. Charles, for the youth group. Then we both got up and walked downstairs together. We talked as we walked back to the conference. I suggested he go outside and get some fresh air but soon I noticed he was back at his table selling handmade items to raise money for the school.

My brother was happy about Elizabeth. He was hopeful that she would attend Mass at home also.

Soon and Very Soon!

Then Friday night I was sound asleep when I heard my phone ding and ding again. It was after 11PM. It was my friend Chrissy wanting to know if I was going to the funeral tomorrow. I haven’t been in touch with her in 6 months or more. I answered her “yes, are you going?” She said she was. In all the years I’ve known Chrissy, I’ve never seen her in church, but she had a special reason for wanting to go to this funeral. The person who died was her childhood friend. That night we continued to text for about another ten minutes. Even though Chrissy doesn’t go to Mass, I’m comforted in knowing that she believes in God and considers herself a Catholic. While texting, Chrissy shared that an aunt of her husband became a Catholic few years ago and the aunt loves being a Catholic. I had trouble going back to sleep. I wondered if she and maybe her husband, Ben, might be candidates for our parish ChristLife Program in the fall. Father, that’s why I felt it was important for me to introduce them to you after the funeral. We couldn’t talk long because Chrissy and Ben, had plans to go to their grandson’s ball game out of town, and I had Latin Mass practice. However, we did some more texting the next day. I texted this to her, “I’m pretty sure you have a spark.” She wanted to know what I meant. I text, “like a stirring in your heart for your Catholic faith, for Jesus.” I held my breath while waiting for her to answer. She responded, “maybe soon.”

It’s Not Just Small Talk!

There’s more. Two weeks ago, after waiting a long time in the quick checkout line due to problems at the register, it was finally my turn, but then I turned around and saw a man holding two TV dinners. I told him to go ahead. He thanked me but there were still some complications at the register, so I made small talk with the man. I said I hope soon you’ll be able to go home and eat your dinner. He said he was hungry and that led to him telling me about his terrible day and problems with his very sick wife and taking her for tests in Ft Wayne that day. I asked her name. He looked at me for a few seconds and then told me his wife’s name is Laura. I said I would pray for Laura. He was grateful.

A few weeks later I had another incident that also happened in Kroger. While shopping I passed a man who was pushing the cart with one hand. His other hand was wrapped up tight with a large amount of gauze. There wasn’t any blood, but I shivered and had a feeling it was really bad. I passed him two more times as he only used his left hand to load the cart and push it. When I checked out my groceries he got in line behind me. When I finished checking out, I moved out of the way but didn’t leave. I stood there for a few seconds watching him unload his groceries until I got the courage to speak to him. I said, “how are you?” He looked surprised and said, “fine.” I said, “what about your hand?” He said he’s getting along okay. I asked what was wrong with it. He told me he lost all by one finger on that hand. I asked his name. He told me and I said I would pray for him. He thanked me. And I prayed on the way to my car and the next morning during Mass. 

Holy Spirit Love

Father, it seems these days the Holy Spirit is leading me to people who need to know someone cares and who need prayers. I believe the Holy Spirit is helping me pay attention and become more aware of those around me. I remember your words this morning “God’s love supports and sanctifies us.” Father, I wish I was better person. I wish I prayed more. I desire for God to use me to serve others. I pray for the grace to do God’s will. Blessings to you, K

I received an encouraging answer from Father. “Kathy, God continues to work wonders through you, in ways you do not even know!  Thank you for sharing and with your permission, I’d like to share some excerpts from this. I agree we need to give our parishioners concrete examples, suggestions, and opportunities for them to share the Good News. Maybe I fall into the trap of encouraging souls to grow closer to Christ, and to share Christ, without offering concrete examples of how this may be done? Obviously, it is different for everyone, based on their particular circumstances, but even by sharing your story I’m sure I could encourage others to see how a simple conversation at the grocery store is an opportunity to ‘evangelize’. It’s not just small talk, or being polite, but it’s about sharing Christ’s love with others. How often do I fail to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to recognize the countless opportunities God gives me every day to listen and to love. I pray for you, and I look forward to hearing more about how God is working in and through you! God bless.”

Here's my response to Father Abel, Father Dennis didn't have an answer either. He just told me, ‘one at a time.’ Father, mostly you say exactly the right thing such as telling me God works wonders in me in ways I don't even know.

I realized not too long ago that it's alright if I don't know if someone was affected by something I did or said or wrote. Maybe even better that way. God wants us to walk with others gently in humility. God bless you.

ChristLife / Sharing Christ

Later I wrote this to Father “Even the Sharing Christ portion of ChristLife leaves us a little lost and wondering ‘how to’. Since sharing Christ can be tricky and can even backfire if we’re not careful, but you give us ways to get closer to Christ every day. I attribute this to your devotion to Our Lord and your sincere caring for us. And think about all the time you put into your homilies. I’m not just hearing. I’m learning and putting into practice what I learn. The closer we get to Christ the easier it is to share the good news, ‘one person at a time’ as Fr. Dennis told me. I'm a little less confused.

In your last email you said, ‘I look forward to hearing more about how God is working in and through you!’  I do want you to know that I’m often the recipient of help from caring people such as the young Asian woman who pulled me up from the floor after I turned the wrong direction and crashed into a glass wall landing flat on my back.”

Traditional Latin Mass

Father, I do have one more story to share with you. I had just been to the Ascension Thursday Latin Mass here in Seattle at the parish of the North American Martyrs held at Alphonsus Ligouri Church. During Mass I felt the Holy Spirit constantly. I can’t say I had a distracted moment. It was night when I walked to the bus stop after Mass. Almost as soon as I sat down a young skinny black man walked up to the bus stop and approached some people standing there. I noticed how they turned away or moved away from him. Then I felt a little apprehensive as I saw him coming towards me. I could tell he had been drinking. In fact, he was drinking from a little plastic juice bottle. I felt certain it contained alcohol. When he came up to me I realized he just wanted to ask me a question. I suddenly felt warm towards him. I couldn’t understand what he was saying. I asked him to repeat three times. I was still sitting so I patted the seat next to me and said, “sit down.” He did. He quietly took little gulps from his juice bottle. He seemed quite drunk. I asked if he needed help with the bus. He said yes. I told him I couldn't help since I'm not from here. I talked to him a little bit while we waited. I told him there was a beautiful church three block from here. He nodded. I told him I just came from there. He didn’t say anything. Then we were quiet. I looked at him for a second and then I asked him if it was okay for me to give him something. He didn’t answer. I took a dollar out of my pocket and said, “I want to give you this gift because I love you.” He smiled and put it in his pocket. Then I told him I was going to get up and wait for the bus since it was coming in two minutes. After a little while he got up and stood by me. He asked me a question about the bus. I said, “I don’t know, honey. Ask the bus driver.” So, he did. I guess he was satisfied with the answer because he found a seat and immediately fell asleep. There’s more to this story but this is enough to share with you. I had remembered to ask his name and prayed for him on the way home that he would make it safely to his destination. I don’t know if he was affected by my caring but I was affected by our encounter.

The next day the experience was on my mind all day. I was still basking in the love of the Holy Spirit. Then my phone made a sound. It was a reminder to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at three. As I stared at this simple reminder on my phone, I remembered what Jesus told St. Faustina. Through St. Faustina Jesus tells us that the neediest are the most deserving of God’s love and mercy. I believe God’s love and mercy spilled over on me enabling me to see one of His most deserving instead of turning my back or moving away. As I finish this up I remember something else you said. “It’s not just small talk, or being polite, but it’s about sharing Christ’s love with others.” Father, I don’t ever remember telling a stranger I love them and feeling so much affection for a person I just met. Thank you for all you do, K

So What Now?

Dear readers,

Why am I sharing these things with you? Nothing extremely significant happened. Nothing for me to brag about. But didn’t Mother Theresa tell us to do little things with great love? I’m finally getting what she meant. God is always ready to use us if we are open to Him. We must keep our hearts and minds open to all the little ways we can show love for those in need.

--Remember when I ran into the glass? There were two young women putting stuff into a locker when I crashed and then fell backwards. Only one of them came over to help me. I don’t resent the other one for not helping. But I am extremely grateful to the one who did. After she helped me up, she asked several times if I was okay and asked me if I wanted to file a report. I was only bleeding a little. The glass didn’t break. When I was finally able to convince her that I was alright she helped me to my destination and left.

-- My friend Chrissy is from a large Catholic family but is not a practicing Catholic. Clearly, she was reaching out to me in her text. I’m ashamed to say it took me a while to follow up on Chrissy and it wasn’t until she invited my husband and me to her daughters 30^th birthday party. At the party, I so wanted to talk to her but she was very busy at the party and when she did sit down with us, it was hard for me to bring it up. But then before she got up again. I told her a little bit about ChristLife. I invited her to our next session at which I’m giving my testimonial. She agreed to come but she didn’t think her husband would want to go. I sense that with or without me it will happen for Chrissy as she said, “maybe soon.”

--And as for Father Dennis’s suggestion, I’m unsure about going to Uganda, though I have been looking into airfare. Not all messages from God are clear. Does God want me to visit this Catholic School in Africa and help out for a few weeks or is God wanting me to continue to do His work where I’m at? I plan to pray more about this but maybe I already have my answer; it’s okay if I go. It’s okay if I don’t go but while I’m deciding, I can send a donation to Father Dennis’s mission school.

…sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence. 1Peter 3:15

 The Latin word for hope is Speravi: that which we look forward to (hope for) because we know of the wonderful things God can do. Our hope to be with God in heaven some day is grounded in our knowledge of God. Without the knowledge of what God is capable of the word hope would have no meaning.