Message from Fr. Bob

I’ll begin where I left off last year.

Actually . . . Acts of Goodness are no mystery to Pelham . . . particularly with this week’s reappearance of Tom.

Anyone who lives in New England knows that Mother Nature takes her toll many times throughout the year, especially during winter. She seems to guarantee at least one snowstorm on a Sunday each year. This year she visited early and Sunday worship was impacted. While I do miss seeing and celebrating with the whole gang, I know that safety and family must come first.

The greatest challenge for me during the winter season is to have the walkways cleared before and after mass. With a constant stream of snow (such as we experienced this past weekend) it sometimes feels impossible to meet that challenge. Usually, a few parishioners pitch in and we get the job done.

This past Sunday, however, an unlikely friend made his way to St. Patrick’s to lend a helping hand . . . our old friend Tom. As I exited the 8:00 a.m. Mass I noticed Tom shoveling the walkways. I asked Tom how he got here and he said that he had hitchhiked. Tom remembered that I had told him once (on passing) that I needed help shoveling walkways during big storms. As I watched Tom work, fighting the harsh elements, both Mother Nature and poverty were taking their shared toll on Tom.

At the end of a long morning and afternoon of challenging work, Tom did his usual. He quietly left to find shelter, not really realizing the greatness of his gift . . . that he saved the day for me and the parishioners who made their way to Mass that morning.

Good Will . . . Random Acts of Kindness . . . Little Angels . . .

Ah . . . words that we use to describe the little miracles that happen in our lives and the people who make them happen . . . the man who opens the door for a homeless couple in Bethlehem . . . shepherds who follow a star in order to give company and . . . assistance to a new mother and her child . . . kings who bring gifts that inevitably had to be traded and sold to pay for the long journey back home to Nazareth. These miracle makers are life’s supporting actors. They are the ones who set the stage and pave the way for salvation. It’s often said that it’s the little things in life that count. Well, the greatest little thing that ever occurred was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.

At this time of year, so many of us spend hours and hours trying to find that one gift that will make our loved ones happy or surprised. When in actuality, it’s the small things that count . . .

. . . Words of Thanks . . . Silent Love. . . Unconditional Acceptance . . .

This “Holy Day” season is truly filled with many supporting actors who pave the way for each of us to experience salvation day by day. And, yes, it is in the small things that we discover the greatest gifts of all . . . a man with a shovel . . . friend with a smile and an ear to listen . . . a high school student with an apple pie for a new elderly friend . . . and, yes, a tender God who became flesh with love beyond love.

This Christmas, may you find the joy of life’s little gifts . . . may you discover joy through the silent love of God and the unconditional acceptance that He alone gives. May the greatest gift that you give this year be to yourself . . . the gift of knowledge that He came for you!

Blessings!

– Fr. Bob

December 23, 2007