Moving Mountains, continued from page 11
quite sure they understand what it means and how
to live it. I appreciate people inviting the community
into that charism, but I think we need a better focus
so we can live this in common.
About a week after my walk, this charism became
clearly defined for me. I was called to anoint a dy-
ing woman—in a remote area, not even part of my
geographical parish boundary. I did not want to go
because it was interfering with something in which
I wanted to participate—and besides, the weather
was cold and the roads were icy. However, the hos-
pice chaplain who called, told me that the priests she
had called were not able to come. So, it didn’t take
much persuasion for me to respond.
I arrived at the home—which was a challenge in
itself because of the miserable conditions. As I was
administering the sacrament and praying with the
family I experienced God’s grace in a very power-
ful way. It was grace to have this women’s daughter
and her children gathered around their mother and
grandmother to pray with me.
After some time with the family. I drove away
from that modest apartment with a true under-
standing of renewal. It was defined through this
dying person and her caregivers, namely, a daughter
with five small children. I was invited to understand
that renewal is not only about church and state, or
even as we members and companions have tried
to define it. It took on life in that little home in
rural Missouri.
Having put some energy in trying to define this
charism, and having had this experience, I am con-
vinced that many of the priests and brothers in the
Precious Blood community have served in similar
situations. In fact, I have heard many people share
about my brother priests and brothers who truly
are servants.
What awakened my understanding of renewal
was not so much the anointing of a dying woman,
but it was the young daughter, who opened her little
apartment, where she was raising five young chil-
dren, sacrificing space and time because mom did
not have any place to go. That opened my eyes. She
was so thankful to have had the opportunity to care
for her dying mother. Most of my ministry is with
people who have resources to care for themselves, so
getting out of my comfortable environment to expe-
rience the Lord’s hand in motion was life-changing
(renewal). She confessed that she had not been to
church in a long time, so the renewal was not about
necessarily changing her, but rather, it was about the
Church giving her the opportunity to participate in
her faith through this sacrament.
After that experience I went to the practical lev-
el. I wondered if we were trying to move a moun-
tain through renewal rather than meeting people
where they are. Maybe we need to share more
stories and look a little more in our backyards,
inviting people who live in the fringes of faith and
in remote geographical areas. We do not have to
take on the entire church or all of society, think-
ing we need to walk up the side of the mountain
holding our gold crosses as St. Gaspar did. Maybe
we just need to take some oil and anoint someone
on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Renewal
may be more about changing who I am rather than
trying to change others.
I realized that part my problem was trying to de-
fine renewal as something outside of myself. I real-
ized that our community has been trying to translate
the term through St. Gaspar’s experience. Living this
anointing experience helps me capture the essence
of the charism. As I relived this experience I won-
dered if I am listening well enough to other peoples’
ministry stories where renewal takes root. I was not
understanding the charism because I was trying to
grasp it through others’ definitions rather than in my
lived experiences. The Ride, continued from page 9
A deep focus on the street you pass right now helps
you to enjoy your ride more, it keeps you awake and
prevents you from getting into accidents.
So what was it about this situation that was the
spiritual awakening I needed? I needed some-
thing or someone to validate who I was and how
I served—not for my glory but for the glory of God. This consciousness let me “drive” through Kansas
City without having a car. All the love, friendship, beau-
ty, hospitality, open doors, and smiling faces I’ve already
passed on this journey make me grateful and happy!
12 • The New Wine Press • February 2018