The Valley Catholic November 8, 2016 | Page 8

8 commuNity

Finding Good in Everything

November 8 , 2016 | The Valley Catholic

By Mary Quilici Aumack

Executive Director The Catholic Community Foundation

This is an accounting of two weeks in my life ; finding God in everything .

Doug and I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains , just outside Los Gatos . It ’ s a 20-minute drive to church , and yet worlds away . This “ telling ” starts with the first big rain of the season . There was very little in San Jose , yet over EIGHT INCHES at our house . We made a fire , watched and listened to the rain and wind , and gave thanks for this precious and important gift .

Just a few days later I was meeting with colleagues when I got a call and learned that my mom was headed to the hospital . Such is this stage of life with our parents and frail health , including the serious decisions that need to be made . One morning there , my mom and I both received the Eucharist from a delightful volunteer . She explained to me that since O ’ Connor is no longer a Catholic hospital , the community of Saint Martin of Tours ensures that the Blessed Sacrament is available every day , and back at the church every night . Ministry .

The evening of the day that my mom went to hospital , I was so happy to participate in an endowment reception at Saint Justin Parish . This of course is where my family participated for 50 years . In fact , the mother of one of my elementary school classmates was in attendance . At the gathering we spoke of building FOREVER VALUE for this vibrant community . Father Chris Bransfield inspired us with his hopes and vision for the parish .

About a year ago , I attended another such gathering at a parish where we talked about endowment . The next day a parishioner called to say ( and I quote here directly ): “ This ( the new parish endowment ) is the answer to my prayers . I knew I wanted to recognize my parish in my estate plan . I didn ’ t want to leave an expendable gift . I didn ’ t want to burden the parish with a small endowment . Now I don ’ t have to .” Last week we received word that this parishioner went to heaven in August and did indeed leave a gift to continue the ministry of his parish .

This past weekend I veered from my normal Mass schedule in order to have a better time to visit with my mom . My friend Monsignor Browne said Mass . His homily so fit the timbre of this time for me . In reflecting on the Gospel , he reminded us that we find our humanity in our commonality with others , not in our differences . He encouraged us to “ relax into the good news that God names us all sisters and brothers .” Good to remember that in this contentious election season .

In the three days that my mom was in the hospital , several of my friends and colleagues , clergy and lay , reached out to me with words of encouragement and promises of prayer . And my family rallied , even sneaking a little dog in to cheer her up ( and elate the staff ). I am grateful for all .

My mom is home now , with a new pacemaker aiding her quality of life .

There was God , in the gift of rain , the care of my mom , the volunteer Eucharistic minister , the support of family and friends , the spirit of the parish of my childhood , the instructive and comforting words of Monsignor Browne . and the gift of FOREVER VALUE to a parish from a grateful member of that faith community .

If you ’ ve ever read my “ stuff ,” you know that my faith is a strong and comforting presence in my life , and that it stems from gratitude . My abiding motto is this : It ’ s simply not possible to be more blessed than I .

I hope you find God in everything the day that you read this , and that your gratitude spills out and is evident to your community .

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