The Christmas that almost wasn't
Volunteer Tom Grassa, Sr. Francesca, and Br. Al Mascia filled the Care'avan with hundreds of useful items to be turned into CarePax and distributed on the streets of Detroit
You think I’d know better by now.
~
2017 marks my tenth year living and serving in Detroit and I love it more than ever! Not surprisingly the Christmas season is especially compelling around here given both the great need and generosity of the locals.
CarePax filled and ready to be distributed to those in need.
Yes, there are countless poor and homeless to be sure but there are also many caring and generous souls who help us friars brighten the lives of those we serve especially Christmastime!
Then why was I so worried we wouldn’t be able to cheer as many spirits as we’d hoped to this ninth Christmas of mine in Detroit? Well, to make a long story short, I had just filled the Song and Spirit Care’avan with hundreds of giving tree items like gloves, warm hats, hand warmers and toe warmers; stuff that would soon be sorted by kind-hearted volunteers, turned into CarePax and distributed on the streets of Detroit the days before and immediately following Christmas day itself. That’s when it happened; the last of the remaining, operational door handles of the Care’avan cargo bay fell prey to the inevitable destiny of Michigan vehicles: rust!
There it lay on the pavement having done its duty for well over 275,000 miles! While I had no doubt that we would eventually be able to rescue the contents of the Care’avan from their lock-up, the question remained would we be able to do so in time for Christmas which was fast approaching?
"Angel" Greg Allen saved the day!
I mean, there was a lot of repackaging left to do!
Well, suffice it to say that angels come in many shapes and sizes and this one happened to be wearing a grey Carhartt jacket and blue beanie! Yes, our very own Greg Allen who now lives with us friars having spent over two years living on the streets himself, came to the rescue and—in MacGyver-like fashion—saved the day!
Once again, things worked out perfectly no matter all my fretting. After all these years witnessing such just in the nick of time God-Moments, well, you think I’d know better by now!
Thank you all so much for helping us friars spread joy at Christmas as well as all throughout the year!
Gratefully,
Bro. Al, ofm
+ Would you like to support our ministries for the poor? Your donations to St. Anthony Bread go directly to serving their needs. God bless you!
A Friar Helper sorting hats, gloves and useful items to be put into CarePax.
Posted in: Advent and Christmas, Events, Missions, Newsletter, Prayer, Saint Anthony, Saint Francis
