Thanksgiving Mass

Today our school community gathered for our annual Thanksgiving Mass.  Our celebrant was Father Paul O'Brien, the pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Lawrence, MA.  He is also the founder of the Cor Unum Meal Center which is adjacent to the parish.  Continuing our new custom of having one of the readings proclaimed in the native tongue of one of our students, Geraldine Kroll '13 read the first reading in Swahili (she is originally from Tanzania).

Father Paul preaches

Shortly (like 30 seconds) after Father Paul began his homily he sat down.  I almost had a stroke thinking he was all done but he was just joking and soon jumped right up and gave one of the most powerful and moving homilies I have heard in my 7 years here.

He began by admitting that he is not a very nice guy, that he is selfish, and that he doesn't like many people.  But, he said, if we are willing to serve and love, we will experience something transformative (which he tries to do but is not there yet).  He explained by telling a story of his time in Calcutta working at the Home for the Dying.  He pretty much told the story that is at this link so I won't try to rehash it.  But do yourself a favor and check it out, it's very much worth it.

Father Paul also mentioned how the man in the story vomited all over him at one point and he was covered in hepatitis!  Mother Teresa happened to be right next to him as this happened and in turn gave Father Paul a Brillo pad to wash off.

The moral of his story was that in appreciating everyone  - the poor, the lonely, the elderly - we get a deeper appreciation for love and for human dignity.  He then urged the students to consider committing themselves to some level of service and they will experience God and love in a very profound way - especially if they are not interested in God at this point in their lives.

To say the students really responded to Father Paul is an understatement.  He is a master story teller and did it in a way that was funny and engaging (he asked the students if they knew who Mother Teresa was saying "She's the one that looks like a Cinnabon").  I've never received such positive feedback on a celebrant.  One girl, who I believe is an atheist, said that was the first time she actually paid attention to a homily.  That's when you know you got them.