"Was I smart enough to have these thoughts?" by: Harry Nigh

Listening to grace-filled stories is one of the incredible benefits of my work. So far at least - thank God - it's not a taxable benefit!

Yesterday I played Santa Claus to Frank (not his real name), delivering presents given anonymously by one of you. He has been back in the community only 7 months after 35 years inside prison. He suffers from a disabling and terminal health condition but it doesn't limit his humility or gratitude.

Over coffee at Tim Horton's he says, "I was a bad person", angry since childhood, labelled as stupid and slow by other kids in school. His family was nurturing, his mother a devoted member of the United Church, but he never fit in and started going to jail when he was 16.

Eventually he landed in solitary confinement in one of Canada's Special Handling Units and he found himself asking God to prove somehow that He could be trusted. Nothing happened.

Then he remembered something from his church days, something Jesus had said, "no one comes to the Father but through me", and he so started directing his questions to Jesus. Like Scrooge in Dickens' Christmas Carol, he was shown all the vile things he had done in his life, one by one. It was like a purification process.

When he asked Jesus questions, answers would fill his thoughts. He was not someone way up there, "Jesus was like a friend", Frank says, who over the next two years opened his heart.

"I became a better person", and when he knew he was about to rejoin the general population in prison, he asked Jesus, "How am I going to live out there as a better person?"

Jesus showed him, "just do unto others what you would have them do to you".

Frank couldn't believe it when people began to actually like him. And for a man who always felt stupid, he decided to start a college correspondence course.

"I wanted to find out if I was smart enough to have the thoughts I was having."

As we left the coffee shop, I almost felt like one of the shepherds backing away from the manger, awed by the mystery of this new birth in one of the most God-forsaken corners of Canada... but not forsaken at all... no place forsaken, ever. I marvelled again at a God who continues to be born in us, bringing peace, helping us become better persons.

Have a blessed Christmas!

The first of our quarterly women's retreats was held at Willow Grove Mennonite Camp in Stouffville on October 22.  31 women attended and we shared a meal, offered creative art and time in nature.  Our retreat director was Mary Klien who led us in a time of reflection, listening and prayer.  It was a wonderful time of community building bringing together individuals from the 3 cities (Toronto, Hamilton, Brampton) where community chaplaincy for women is active. 

Our next day retreat is scheduled for Saturday February 4, 2012.  It will be held at Libenzell retreat centre, near Guelph, On. from 9:30-4:30pm.  The cost is $25.  

Volunteers are welcome to attend. Drivers are needed to bring women from the various areas and donations are gratefully accepted and if you would like to sponsor a woman to attend the retreat.  Please click here to contact Shauna Mayer, Community Chaplian, for more information.   

About 6 years ago a group got together and asked if it would be possible to provide Christmas dinner for families of women on parole. From this idea has sprung forth our annual Christmas basket program.  

Deacon Bill Radigan delivers Christmas Baskets at Crossroads

This year we received support from the following faith groups:

• The Beaver Bible Class 
• The Village Church of the Nazarene Unionville 
• St. John's York Mills Anglican Church 
• St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Markham 
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Markham Chapter  

Please Click here to link to an article about