Last Saturday, while driving to the office after celebrating Mass at St. Gianna’s, I spotted a man walking on the bike trail as it started to rain.
I immediately recognized him as a homeless man we have been helping get off the streets over the past two weeks. He was given a tent from another man who ‘graduated’ to an apartment after finding a job. We are helping him get his driver’s license, a car, a job, clothes, an apartment and some other essentials.
After making a quick U-turn I pulled alongside him, and greeted him, saying, “Get in!” After recognizing me he said, “Father, you are an answer to my prayers!”
He related that after starting to recite the “Our Father” over and over, he knew God would answer his cry for help as he was getting drenched. He informed me he almost blew away in his tent the night before during the thunderstorm that packed 60-mile-an-hour wind gusts.
After getting buckled up, he showed me an advertisement from the newspaper from a local restaurant with a coupon for a free hamburger for those who are celebrating their birthday. It was his 60th birthday. What a way to celebrate a birthday, I thought.
After arriving at the restaurant, I realized it would not open for another 90 minutes. I kept thinking about the scripture passage from Mathew’s gospel: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
I knew I could not leave him there at the front door for an hour and one half in the rain, so I gave him some money and dropped him off at a fast food place a few blocks away. He said, “Father, this is the place you treated me for breakfast the day I met you!” He acted as if he won the lottery. At the time this column is published, he should be behind the wheels of a donated car, and, hopefully, in an efficiency apartment, working at a new job.
On Aug. 14, Catholic Social Services will hold its annual memorial golf tournament and auction. This year we are honoring John Hanigan. Our silent auction features many items, including a beautiful 1992 Cadillac sedan Deville in incredible shape, time at a Grand Cayman condo, a ‘Golf Nebraska’ package, a gourmet multi-course dinner prepared by yours truly - along with one of my sketches, and much more. Like last year, those who are not present may submit bids online by using a computer, tablet, iPad or smartphone. Oh the wonders of technology! The website to see and place bids is qtego.net/qlink/cssgolf.
All proceeds will be used to help needy individuals and families like the man I mentioned above. Please pray for the success of this annual event and never forget you, your family, and your intentions are in our prayers!
