COMMENTARY
tvc.dsj.org | November 7, 2017
13
Farewell and Thank You For My Gift of Faith
Mary Quilici Aumack
Executive Director
Catholic Community Founda-
tion of Santa Clara County
My mom went to heaven three
weeks ago. It was the end of a long life
and a short transition period, when
we all knew it was soon. This has been
(mostly) joyful.
When I was 15, I was preparing to
receive the sacrament of Confi rmation.
I considered this opportunity and the
ceremony that accompanied. I decided
that a commitment of faith, and the at-
tendant relationship with God, is a per-
sonal thing; therefore, I concluded that
wearing a red robe and participating in
a big ceremony was silly and unneces-
sary. My mother, rather than simply
mandate, said that I might have a point.
She suggested I discuss it with a priest
at our parish, Father Merv Sullivan.
Father Merv, rather than acknowledg-
ing that I might have a point, said that
I was simply missing a very key point.
You see, he explained, as much as you
profess your faith and commitment, the
community professes its support in your
faith journey. That made perfect sense to
me, so I donned the red robe and hap-
pily received the sacrament, graces and
community support.
And so it has been for the rest of
my life. With the Notre Dame sisters
and Jesuit priests, at Notre Dame San
Jose and Gonzaga, I was given the op-
portunity to discuss, debate, test and
celebrate my faith.
One Saturday, I had a tough day, com-
ing to terms with my mother truly being
gone. Then we went to 5 p.m. Mass and
my spirits were lifted. I hugged my friend
Germaine, who had sent a beautiful
Mass card. We cherished our Saturday
tradition of meeting Lon & Peg at Mass
and heading to dinner after. I hugged
our pastor Father Rick Rodoni, who has
known my mom since he was 5. I joyfully
participated in the Eucharist, a source of
joy and strength. In addition to my fam-
ily, this community, this ritual and these
sacraments sustain me.
As I was growing up my father
would say “I’m open minded. I don’t
care who you marry, as long as he’s
Catholic, Italian and Rich; and not nec-
essarily in that order.” Underlying the
levity was his deep commitment to his
faith, which was strengthened by his
relationship with my mom. It was she
who supported him as he found his way
back to his faith.
By the time you read this, we will
have gathered at Saint Justin to celebrate
my mom’s time on earth, and the prom-
ise of eternal life. We will have talked,
sung, laughed and cried, we six new
o rphans. We will have held each other
and given thanks, for the foundation of
love laid out so strongly by our parents.
Once again, I marvel at my faith. I
receive it with gratitude and wonder-
ment, still puzzled as to “why” I have
this great gift and others don’t.
So, I say “farewell” to my mom, with
gratitude for all that she gave us, and
deep certainty that I will see her again.
Joy and Hope
By Gregory Kepferle
CEO, Catholic Charities of
Santa Clara County and
President, Charities Housing
Development Corporation
How many ways can we say, “Thank
you” this Thanksgiving and Christmas
season? In their dialogues captured in
“The Book of Joy,” the Dalai Lama and
Reverend Desmond Tutu make the case
that a joyful life is rooted in gratitude
and generosity. So often we fi ll our lives
with worry, grief and fear, that we can
feel overwhelmed by all the natural
disasters, the divisiveness in our world,
and worries about health, work or fam-
ily concerns.
Catholic Charities clients share these
same concerns and more. A refugee
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orphan wonders if she will survive and
who will take her in. Much like the Holy
Family, homeless parents worry if they
and their newborn child will have to
live on the street. An immigrant youth
fe ars for her parents being deported
because she received temporary protec-
tion under DACA. An adult son grieves
the dementia that consumes his aging
parent. A former gang member who
did his time in jail worries if he can get
a job, given his record and his tattoos.
A child struggling with English and
math anxiously questions if she will
ever understand. An isolated senior
overwhelmed by loneliness wonders if
she will ever get out of her depression.
Displaced disaster survivors worry if
they will ever be able to go home.
Catholic Charities clients also share
their joys and hopes, their gratitude
and generosity. Neighbors in the Santee
neighborhood of East San Jose gener-
ously give their time to make their
neighborhood a welcoming place where
children can learn and thrive in safety.
Foster parents welcome orphaned
refugee youth into their loving homes.
Immigrant youth advocate boldly for ac-
ceptance of “Dreamers.” Older students
volunteer their time helping younger
students after school with homework
and sports. Neighbors aff ected by blight
organize to call landlords to clean up
their properties. Immigrants pass their
citizenship tests and are sworn in as
proud new Americans. Job seekers fi nd
meaningful work. Children learn to
read. Seniors delight in shared meals
and dancing. People with disabilities
find meaning through a peer group
and spiritual support. People who lost
their homes fi nd new housing, a wel-
coming community and new hope for
the future.
At Catholic Charities we are grateful
for the generosity of our donors and
volunteers, as well as for the trust our
clients place in us.
In this season celebrating gratitude
and generosity, I invite you to share in
the joy by supporting Catholic Charities
as we provide help and create hope right
here in Santa Clara County. Our neigh-
bors need your help. You will make a
diff erence. Thank you!
To help make a difference, go to
www.CatholicCharitiesSCC.org.