Two nice people celebrate their blessings
Colleen Cushard, Co-Director of Friar Works, has the best job.
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When I was applying for the job with the Franciscans, I vividly remember Fr. Jim Bok telling me that he had the best job in the Province. Ten years later, Fr. Jim is working as a missionary in Negril, Jamaica and that statement still holds true. Only now I am the one saying it. This job has allowed me to interact with some of the most caring and giving individuals, couples and groups you could ever meet. Two of those people are Steve and Heidi.
While doing a 20 year plus stint serving in the military, Steve & Heidi have had the opportunity to witness true poverty around the world. Now that their “nest is empty”, they have been able to do some vacation traveling together. Heidi & Steve started going to Jamaica about 10 years ago and were immediately impressed with the Mary Gate of Heaven community in Negril. Back then, Fr. Gonchar and Brothers Vince & Tom were running the show.
Fr. Jim Bok arrived as Pastor in 2008 and the dialogue has continued. “We feel blessed that over the past 10 years, we have been in a position to help out on a regular basis. We especially love to watch the children participate in the Liturgy and, over the years, have been able to watch many of the parish families grow”, said Steve.
Not only have Steve and Heidi been supporting our mission work in Negril each month, but they also do something very special each November. This year Steve and Heidi celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary. Each year, they take the money they would have spent on anniversary gifts for each other and donate it to Fr. Jim’s work in Negril instead. The amount gets a little bigger each year based on the number of years they have been together.
The first time Steve called in to make the “anniversary” donation and told me the idea behind it, I almost teared up by this selfless act. Then, as I was gathering his information, I asked for his address. When it came to city and state, he told me he lived in Niceville, Florida. All I could say was…of course you do!
Thank you Steve and Heidi for all you do to make our work possible. We wish you many more happy years together.
Colleen Cushard
Co-Director Friar Works
If you would like to learn more about supporting the friars, please email Colleen at friarworks@franciscan.org or call 513-721-4700 ext 3219 or click here.
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Students and parents stand in front of Josey the school van with Fr. Jim Bok, OFM, outside St. Anthony's Kitchen
Posted in: Missions, Newsletter, Prayer, Saint Francis
