K of C, St. Vincent de Paul, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Parishioners

This past week as been blog free. It leaves me asking what I should write about given that so much can happen in a week. So I think tonight I want to write a word or two about community.  

George Bernard Shaw said “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.”  I can say for certain that the Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are good witnesses to that sentiment. Last week, Grand Knight Jerry Marcotte let me know that the Fr. Nicholas Point Council of the K of C here in Tecumseh would be assisting with project “Similac Sunday.”  To that end they made a $150 donation.  That is a tremendous help. Yesterday Louis Gouin came by the church with two cans of formula and a $100 cheque from St. Vincent de Paul. Again – tremendous help.  Tim Brady of Shopper’s Drug Mart in the Ottawa Market was also very gnerous in offering the support of the store allow us to maximize the formula that we can purchase with the donations being made as well as donation to the cause.

This Sunday, April 20^th we will collect for the Eastwood Citadel’s Diaper and Formula program. We have already collected well over $500 and I am certain that next Sunday we will do even better.  The spirit of generosity expressed by the Knights of Columbus, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Shopper’s Drug Mart and the people of St. Mark’s by-the-Lake is a fine reflection of the community in which we live. Too often we find ourselves being overly critical of our community. It is often easier to focus on the negative aspects of the life and times of the community around us.  I must say, that what I see again and again is a tremendous ability to step up and be counted when it is most needed.  Dietrich Bonheoffer said that,  “Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.” I believe strongly that this community in which we live shows a great “readiness for responsibility.”  I look forward to next week when I can announce to Captain Stephen White how much this community has responded. God has granted such a spirit of generosity and service to our community. We should be all very grateful.