By Father Christopher Kubat
Technically, CSS is supposed to be open on Christmas Eve morning; however, I always give our employees that day off. Since last-minute stragglers come in on Christmas Eve, I always come in to the office in the morning.
I remember one memorable Christmas Eve morning, perhaps eight years ago. As I was ready to leave the office, I had a big-time urge to stick around for a few moments. As always, when these inspirations occur something happened. A woman in her late thirties pulled up in a van. After exchanging pleasantries, she informed me that all she was looking for was a mattress for her children to sleep on. She had recently left an abusive relationship. Fortunately, we had one… and it fit perfectly in her vehicle. After asking her if she had presents and food for Christmas, she broke down crying and said no. Since we had toys left over from our recent toy giveaway and plenty of food, I loaded some up in her van. Before leaving the office we prayed in our chapel. Now eight years later, she has resurfaced and we were able to have someone adopt her family and grandchildren. She still intermittently struggles to get by. Over the last eight years, I see her periodically in our St. Joseph Chapel praying to the Lord.
This year, God sent me another special person on Christmas Eve. Not long before I left the office for the day, a 40ish-looking woman walked in with a disturbed look on her face. She asked for a loaf of bread, nothing more. She had a hard time talking and had difficulty putting a complete sentence together. I did not know if she had a mental disorder, a speech impediment, or both.
After asking her how she was doing, she said she did not have much food. Since I had a pocket of gift cards from donors at Christmas, I slipped one into her hand. At that she became emotional and teared up. I then invited her into the chapel. After kneeling down, I asked God the Father to bless His daughter on Christmas and send His love into her soul. After a moment of silent prayer, we exited the chapel. Before leaving, she did not thank me for the bread, or the gift card, but for the prayers. She exclaimed with a clear voice in a complete and normal sentence, “Thank you for the prayers, for that’s what I needed most!” She left with a smile on her face.
As we continue our Christmas celebration, let me thank you once again for supporting CSS. Let us thank God for the best and most important gift God the Father has given us,-the gift of His only Begotten Son, born as a baby from the Blessed Virgin Mary, Who was guarded by St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, Who came to die and to start a Church in which we find our salvation.
