Lend a Hand?? -- an editorial

Likely you have received a letter related to this fund from Ms. Prater and if you have children at Catholic High you also received a letter from Mr. Sompyrac. If you are like me, these letters are combined with letters related to many other fundraisers and worthy causes which you have supported in the past. With these letters, bailout funds and the “stimulus” package, I must honestly admit it all seems a bit overwhelming. My initial reaction was frustration and a sense of exasperation. My frustration and exasperation were not for these families but came from my own worries of how all these things were going to impact me. Not very Christian, I know, but my initial reaction were thoughts of rising tuition, rising taxes, and more requests for bailout funds. Where is it going to end?
Then I spoke to Deacon David and emailed Sedonna Prater and began to reflect on the opportunity before us. Yes, a great opportunity that this “lend a hand fund” offers.

Deacon David and Ms. Prater relayed to me that there are many families in our parish and in our diocese who are going through tremendous financial struggles. These families have to make difficult choices and one of these difficulties is whether they can afford to keep their children in Catholic schools. This fund was developed rather quickly as many have realized the rather sudden financial crisis that faces our nation. Our community is not immune to these struggles. Deacon Dave informed me that this fund is an emergency fund that will go to families in our parish and in our diocese to help offset tuition costs. These funds will offer hope and assistance to those in most need.

Hence, being humbled by this reality, and putting aside my own issues, I began to reflect on several questions and see the great opportunity before us:

First and foremost, what is God calling us to do in our lives? Clearly, we are called to love God and love others. What greater love than to offer hope to those in need, especially to those in need in our very own community? I was listening to a reflection about the story of the paralytic man who was lowered through the roof and was healed by Jesus (Mark 2: 1-12). We often focus on the healing power of Jesus and this man’s faith. But this reflection challenged us to consider the four unnamed men who cut the hole in the roof and lowered this man in need down to be healed by Jesus? What an opportunity to ask ourselves if we can humbly offer to help others in time of need………….

Second, how important is Catholic education? Clearly, these families and their children could go elsewhere to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, so what is different about a Catholic education? What a great opportunity for us to reflect on why we send our children to SHCS. How important is it? What is the difference? Take some time and reflect on this question yourself. For me, I have to look no farther than last Friday when my eighth grade son invited me to attend Eucharistic Adoration with him. Every first Friday, the eighth grade students spend 20 minutes each in silent prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. Words could never describe, nor value assessed, on these 20 minutes I spent kneeling and praying with my son. What an opportunity to reflect on the true value of Catholic education….

Finally, can I afford to help? Everyone is worried about their own home value, mortgage payment and rising bills and I am no exception. However, we are called to place God and others first, again what a great opportunity for us. For me, I began to look at the funds I spend on my kids own extracurricular activities. Like so many, we are spending a tremendous amount of money on these privileges. I am humbled to think about the funds we spend on competitive sports with the fees, travel, dining out etc… Can I really say that I cannot afford to help those in need as we continue to fill our wants? What a great opportunity to reflect on what are our wants and what truly are others needs……….

I would encourage each and everyone of you to consider these questions. Humble yourself and recognize what a great opportunity this “Lend a Hand” fund holds for you to do what you can to help your community in need. Just think about what you can do. Thanks to Deacon David and Ms. Prater for their work on this very important endeavor and giving us this opportunity to help.