By Father Christopher Kubat
Long ago, an uncle said to me at a funeral, “It’s a shame we only see each other at weddings and funerals!” I’ve often recalled those words.
Several years ago, I was invited to offer a funeral Mass in Neola, Iowa for a friend. Little did I know that in the congregation that day was a second cousin of mine, Jenny Hall… her mother was a Kubat, a double first cousin of my late father (two brothers married two sisters). After the funeral, I was invited to direct a parish mission at her parish and the rest is history.
Recently, at the request of Jenny, I offered a Mass at our St. Joseph Center for our extended family, including the return to the faith of cousins who have left the Church. Isn’t it true that many families have relatives who have left the faith? She called it a ‘healing Mass’ for the family.
Around 25 people attended the Mass, after which we consumed delicious fried chicken, potato salad, and homemade apple pie. Of course, we also had some gelato at Gianna’s Java & Gelato! After dessert, 4-year-old Miriam, who goes by Mimi, a second cousin twice removed, ran up to me and said, “I sure love your big ears!” After thanking her for her gracious compliment, her siblings Franklin, Rosalie and Cecilia posed with me for a picture. 
While eating and visiting, I thought of my uncle’s words he uttered many years ago, and it was then that Jenny said, “We need to do this annually.” I thought to myself, ‘This is a beautiful thing!’
As my cousins drove off, while standing in the parking lot, a young man walked by who looked like some of the homeless men in the area. As I greeted him he stopped to chat. He had the look of someone in need. “Are you hungry?” I asked. “Yes!” he replied. Within minutes he was enjoying fried chicken. As he smiled in appreciation, I could see his discolored teeth. If it wasn’t for cousins getting together, I would not have met him. If I wouldn’t have said hello, I would not have had the privilege of giving him some food.
I want to thank Jenny for organizing the Mass for our extended family, which put me in a position to meet and love Jesus who was present in the man I met in our parking lot afterward. With the grace of God, let us all support each other with our mutual prayers and acts of charity!
