Despite of my travels and busy routines, I managed so far to not miss any events (Advent Masses, Reconciliaton, Immaculate Conception, Guadalupe, Giving Trees, Holiday Meals, Mary's Place, Shelters and Outreach Ministries ). I just had to sleep late and wake up early to share my reflections -- and Yeah! It's manageable I think.
My biggest focus this year has been the Society of St Vincent de Paul Conference that my parish had restarted last Spring. This outreach ministry is so important in my heart. It is an opportunity to reach out to the least of our brothers and sisters. Although this ministry has been in service to the poor since 1833 in Paris, today, it's still alive and growing due to the tremendous needs in our world. I have been blessed to partake in this mission.
Last Saturday, I made some home visits. This year, we had enough donations from our church that we were able to give out christmas gift cards to our neighbors. A couple of our visits stood out and affected me more than the usual. First a mother with seizures and her 15 year old son with the same condition live in a 1-bedroom apartment with very few furnitures. She wanted some rental assistance this month because of medical bills. She's trying to look for another job. Her son plays football but because of his recent seizures, he might not be able to play again and he's "bummed". As he said that with a smile he's happy that he has a place to live in and that he has good grades. We gave him a small christmas gift card and he suddenly started jumping in joy and reached out to hug me. As we walked away from their home, I felt my heart flutter in hope as we walked on to the next home visit.
Our last visit caught me stunned, speechless and sobbing. We did not sat long enough with this disabled senior man living in a subsidized housing in Belltown. When he opened his door he immediately said :
" I don't need your help this month, as I can still pay my rent. I'll just be broke this month. Give it to someone who really needs it. I'll be ok."
All I can say was " OH, OK". I handed him a gift card and said Merry Christmas then he closed his door saying this is great, Thank You and God Bless You.
Boom !!!
As I sobbed on the way back home...
As a catholic, it's hard to imagine a life without Hope. Hope is an inspiration for me to continue to try the best I can to live my life as Christ had taught us. Hope is a saving grace as we carry on his teachings and example for his promise of Eternal Life. On this season of hope, all I can try if to open the manger in my own heart for the coming of Christ. He came to this world in the midst of the poorest, the outcasts, the shepherds and animals. He is there in the least of our brothers and sisters.
Have a Blessed Advent.
To donate to SVDP Society - click on the link below
https://svdpseattle.org/give-today/
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| Downtown Seattle |
