Amazing Grace

Details: 08 March 2013

Many of us are aware of the conversion of a young man named Giovanni Moriconi, today known as St. Francis of Assisi. During the process of his conversion from living the life of excess, God instructed him to change his likes and dislikes.

Once while traveling on his horse he noted a leper in the road. Lepers at the time of St. Francis were known to approach travelers at a distance for the purposes of obtaining alms. Until this occurrence, the very thought of leprosy was repulsive to young Giovanni. Since God instructed him to love what was formerly repugnant, he leaped off his horse and after the poor diseased man opened his hand, presumably to receive a few coins, young Francis planted a kiss on the palm of his disfigured hand. After mounting his horse and looking around, he saw no one, knowing immediately it was an angel or Christ Himself. Did not Jesus say, "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40)? In addition, let us not forget the famous passage from the thirteenth chapter of Hebrews, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb 13:2).

It is truly amazing what the grace of God accomplishes in those who are cooperative. On Feb. 24, Catholic Social Services celebrated its 26th annual Celebration of Caring Banquet during which we awarded the Cor Christi (heart of Christ) award to John and Stella Sinclair (pictured). Kevin Clark did a marvelous job outlining their volunteer work through the years, including what they have done for Catholic Social Services and the Legion of Mary. Hopefully, this will be a catalyst for others to donate some of their time in the imitation of St. Francis.

The big news of the evening was the discussion of the magnitude of the expansion of the agency over the last several years. Our St. Andrew Mobile Food Pantry now visits 19 communities (soon to be 20) across southern Nebraska: Falls City, Tecumseh, Pawnee City, Ashland, Seward, Crete, Wahoo, David City, Shelby, Fairbury, Hebron, Geneva, Harvard, Clay Center, Sutton, Superior, Minden, Orleans, and Imperial. The 20th will be in Peru, Nebraska. In addition, The Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center now has 13 satellite clinical office sites scattered across southern Nebraska: Falls City, Auburn, Nebraska City, Beatrice, Plattsmouth, Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, Newman Center, Wahoo, David City, York, Hastings, Holdrege and McCook. This is an amazing increase of four sites in just one year.

As we continue our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us cooperate with the amazing grace God offers us through the seven jewels of the Church called Sacraments and utilizing the sacramentals so we too will love Jesus who lives in our neighbor, especially the poor and needy.