The Best Gift of All

Details: 24 December 2010

When renovating our new St. Joseph Center located at 23rd and O streets in Lincoln, it was important to us to have a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament accessible to the general public. Those who have visited us know this beautiful chapel named after our patron St. Joseph is front and center with a door just off our waiting room.

Recently, I greeted a homeless man I see from time to time as he was warming himself in our lobby. He looked like the Michelin man because of the multiple layers he was wearing. After saying hello I asked, "Where are you sleeping?" He replied, "Oh, here and there." He is one of those in the city who refuses to stay at any kind of shelter. Since we give bread away daily, I seem to see him more frequently.

After giving him some additional items including food that he could easily carry, I asked, "Would you like to visit Jesus?" He eagerly followed me into the chapel. Knowing he is a lifelong Catholic, I had a hunch he would appreciate it even more. I was right.

After entering, he asked in a loud voice, "How long has this been here?" I explained we have had this beautiful chapel since the beginning. Concerned about leaving his bags unattended, which represents all of his earthly belongings, he promptly returned to the lobby, grabbed his bags and returned to the chapel for an extended visit. As I left him, I explained he was welcome any time to visit the best gift of all, our Eucharistic King.

Later that same day, we received word we were awarded a grant tied to our capital campaign. We had been waiting for a considerable time for an answer. After informing John McDermott of the happy news, I said in front of the door of our chapel, "Let us go inside and thank Jesus for this gift."

After saying this I noticed a woman who had come in for assistance in the lobby standing nearby looking at us with a funny look on her face.

"Jesus really is in this next room," I said. "Would you like to see Him?" She immediately left her place in line and followed us into the chapel.

After entering she promptly sped past me and went to the first row of pews and sat down and stared at the tabernacle which is well-illuminated. After exiting the chapel she had a different look on her face, one of peace and joy. While she was sitting in front of Jesus, I said to our Blessed Mother, "Well Mother, I brought your Son another one." Knowing that the Mother of God will take care of her I told her she was welcome any time for a visit.

These encounters happen on a regular basis. As we exchange and open presents around the Christmas tree, let us not forget that the gift that mattered most was the gift from God the Father and our Blessed Mother at that first Christmas - the Christ Child who came to die for us and start a Church in which we find our salvation.

I would like to thank our benefactors for making our new St. Joseph chapel a reality. Soon I will be sharing more exciting news about our new chapel in Hastings and two others in the diocese that are in the plans. May you have a Blessed Christmas and Holy New Year!