I remember when I was a kid, during the great depression, helping a lady fill boxes with food. Many boxes, and big ones. I could hardly lift them. At night, we'd load her big old Buick with these boxes.

Our pastor had given her a list of families who were in need. Many a night their children would go to bed without supper. The next morning before school, if they were lucky, they'd have a bowl of cereal. And that was long before they had school lunches.

We'd drive from house to house. Well, not exactly. We'd always stop a couple of doors past the house. Then I'd take a box and leave it at the front door. The lady would remind me to ring the bell and then run. We never got caught.

Interesting how memories of so long ago come back to you. The lady was my mother. We were better off than most. Many times, especially during the winter and on holidays, she would do her best to help the hungry. I remember those secret excursions so clearly. I know now that they were her "corporal works of mercy."

I know when the time comes, when the Lord comes with all his Angels, he will hold out his hand to her, "Come, Mable, my little one. Stand at my right side. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world."

I can no longer carry boxes door to door, nor can many of you I suspect. But, we can still do our part to help those in need.

With your help, we will have others fill boxes for the hungry; we will ask others with younger legs to drop them at the door, ring the bell and run.

God love you,
Fr. Robert McQueeney 
Spiritual Director