Welcome back and to our first Blarney Stone of the year.  My hope is that I can write occasionally about things that help me reflect about God's presence in all things.  I suspect the Blarney Stone is best used for sharing of important information that helps you know what is happening at school but I will offer a story now and then just because it keeps me alert to how God is present in all we do at St. Pat's. 

 

My first story is about an experience that has played out 6 times this summer and will begin again this school year.  It is one of our Middle School service projects. What makes this one timely is that we have been asked to bring used blankets, old sleeping bags and used backpacks to St. Leo's as part of our Keep 'Em Warm and Fed participation (this is the warm part).  

I suspect that as you put away your summer camping gear you might have an old sleeping bag you can give away or as you had to buy a backpack for the new school year, the used one is now up for grabs.   We will be collecting these items through the 18th of Sept., so please just bring them to my office.  I will be working with students for the gathering and the delivery   You will be amazed at how grateful the people we serve will be on the day the kids deliver these gifts.  If you don't have any of these items but want to contribute we will have a sock and toiletries drive later in the year.  Thanks for whatever you can give. 

It's 7:25 am and we are already standing on the street when the van pulls up and out jumps Michael Sterbick the Director of Keep 'Em Warm and Fed.  Rain or shine, Michael yells enthusiastically, "St Pat's is here!" and for the next 35 minutes it is a whirlwind.    We have joined St. Leo's in providing breakfast, sandwiches, fruit and vitamins for the street folks of Tacoma.  

Keep 'Em Warm and Fed moves our faith into action; it is sobering and raw being with people who line the street waiting for a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee.  In the last year the number of people sleeping on the street with not much but a thin blanket has risen dramatically. Two years ago, I rarely saw anyone but now a dozen people sleep on the block where we set up our table.  Similarly, the line in front of us seems to be longer than ever which makes sense because it is the end of the month.  Their faces seem younger and slightly embarrassed; many are familiar to me; some are angry, confused; all look tired.  Our kids are there with fruit, vitamins and chocolate.  It doesn't take long before the, "Would you like an orange or banana?" engages a smile back, a "thank you," a "God bless you."  It never ceases to amaze me but the people we serve are giving us all they have this morning-their gratitude. It feels a little like a miracle to watch a 13 year old move from apprehension to empathy but it's happening in front of my eyes.

The St. Leo's volunteers who we join are great witnesses about the truth and challenge of the Gospel.  Working with them has been grace.   As we start cleaning up preparing to go to our second location, Michael approaches the kids and gently says, "You are the Magi.  You guys are the ones who bring gifts to the lowly, the ones in need today.  These people need us and you arrived as the Magi bearing the gift of yourselves, thank you." 

 

As the last person leaves our second stop we gather to pray.  A student prays,  reluctantly, because we don't do spontaneous prayer well but the prayer is sincere-"Thank you Lord for what we have, look over these people today and keep them safe."  I couldn't be prouder. 

Michael ends with high fives and "I love you St Pat's".  A gift back to the Magi.  

peace,  
Chris