Letters from Canada 11 - January 2014
Father Mark (FM): A house of worship, be it a church, a synagogue, mosque or a temple is a place where we can be renewed and be uplifted from our daily struggles. As we leave these special premises, the feelings should be one of cheerfulness. After services I usually show up outside the Church to greet my parishioners. But as William, his wife Alice and 7 year old son Steven approached me, they were not cheerful at all but very somber.
Steven holding back tears looked up at me and in a sad and muted voice pleaded me to find his sister. I looked up at the parents and asked if everything is OK. Things are fine barked William, Mary is staying with her Aunt in Winnipeg and then the Williams quickly moved on. That reply did not reassure me that all is well in the William’s household. Mustering a smile, I continued to greet the people leaving the church all the while my mind was wondering what was going on in William’s family.
On the few occasions that Mary was in my company she went out of her way to avoid talking to me. When avoiding me failed, she responded with one syllable replies like yes, no, or fine to my queries. Her eyes told me I don’t like you and I don’t trust you. Sometimes within earshot of Mary, Her father would approach me and elaborate on what a disappointment Mary is to the family. I regret not having the courage to stand up for her on those occasions or get involved to help her.
But my immediate concern now is make sure Mary is OK and the best place to start is at Saint Nicholas Catholic High School where Mary is in her senior year. Father Demetrius, the Principle at the school calls on me to help out when they need a substitute teacher in religion or math and now is a good time for him to help me.
Father Demetrius (FD): About three weeks ago, Mary stop coming to her classes. Naturally we called her parents and were told that Mary is switching to home schooling by her private tutor. They asked for a copy of all her records and that was the end of it.
(FM): Her father told me she’s staying with her Aunt in Winnipeg and not much more. Her younger brother thinks she is missing. If Mary is in trouble, I need to get involved.
(FD): Why? (FM): A small child turned to me with faith and hope that I can rescue his sister. For many reason, I need to re-unite her with her only sibling. My gut tells me something is very wrong here. Can you tell me a little about Mary’s school work, friends, participation in activities?
(FD): Mary has a private tutor to help with homework and school projects. But her school work in general is mediocre. Thanks to the tutor, the homework is good, but her test scores and class work are below par with one major exception. With her Mother’s assistance, Mary completed an excellent paper on her Family’s genealogy. The paper was not just of whose who and whose where, but incorporated family biology like gene traits, ethnic culture, accomplishments, and personalities. Her presentation before her class and the faculty won kudos for a project well done.
(FD): I was at the Genealogy Paper presentation, but do not remember any mention of family in Winnipeg. Her participation in school clubs and activities was lacking. There were problems of tardiness and ditching classes. On one occasion, drugs were found on her possession and she was arrested. Her Father got the charges dropped. Afterwards her Father clamped down on her after school activities. She also had to quit her job at Chuck’s Bar and Grill on Concord Ave.
(FM): My next stop was Chuck’s Bar and Grill where Mary washed dishes and helped in the kitchen. The manger was not very helpful with information on Mary’s whereabouts or her friends at his establishment. Sitting on a bar stool, recollecting my thoughts on what I should do next, a young immodestly dress women approached me and introduced herself.
Hi, my name is Ginger (G): How about buying me a drink?
(FM): Sorry, I will not. I am a Man of the Cloth.
(G): You are Father Mark, pastor of St. Theresa parish. Right now you are thinking that I am a Lady of the Sheets. How about I buy you a soda?
To Be Continued in Letters from Canada 12.
Father Mark (FM): A house of worship, be it a church, a synagogue, mosque or a temple is a place where we can be renewed and be uplifted from our daily struggles. As we leave these special premises, the feelings should be one of cheerfulness. After services I usually show up outside the Church to greet my parishioners. But as William, his wife Alice and 7 year old son Steven approached me, they were not cheerful at all but very somber.
Steven holding back tears looked up at me and in a sad and muted voice pleaded me to find his sister. I looked up at the parents and asked if everything is OK. Things are fine barked William, Mary is staying with her Aunt in Winnipeg and then the Williams quickly moved on. That reply did not reassure me that all is well in the William’s household. Mustering a smile, I continued to greet the people leaving the church all the while my mind was wondering what was going on in William’s family.
On the few occasions that Mary was in my company she went out of her way to avoid talking to me. When avoiding me failed, she responded with one syllable replies like yes, no, or fine to my queries. Her eyes told me I don’t like you and I don’t trust you. Sometimes within earshot of Mary, Her father would approach me and elaborate on what a disappointment Mary is to the family. I regret not having the courage to stand up for her on those occasions or get involved to help her.
But my immediate concern now is make sure Mary is OK and the best place to start is at Saint Nicholas Catholic High School where Mary is in her senior year. Father Demetrius, the Principle at the school calls on me to help out when they need a substitute teacher in religion or math and now is a good time for him to help me.
Father Demetrius (FD): About three weeks ago, Mary stop coming to her classes. Naturally we called her parents and were told that Mary is switching to home schooling by her private tutor. They asked for a copy of all her records and that was the end of it.
(FM): Her father told me she’s staying with her Aunt in Winnipeg and not much more. Her younger brother thinks she is missing. If Mary is in trouble, I need to get involved.
(FD): Why? (FM): A small child turned to me with faith and hope that I can rescue his sister. For many reason, I need to re-unite her with her only sibling. My gut tells me something is very wrong here. Can you tell me a little about Mary’s school work, friends, participation in activities?
(FD): Mary has a private tutor to help with homework and school projects. But her school work in general is mediocre. Thanks to the tutor, the homework is good, but her test scores and class work are below par with one major exception. With her Mother’s assistance, Mary completed an excellent paper on her Family’s genealogy. The paper was not just of whose who and whose where, but incorporated family biology like gene traits, ethnic culture, accomplishments, and personalities. Her presentation before her class and the faculty won kudos for a project well done.
(FD): I was at the Genealogy Paper presentation, but do not remember any mention of family in Winnipeg. Her participation in school clubs and activities was lacking. There were problems of tardiness and ditching classes. On one occasion, drugs were found on her possession and she was arrested. Her Father got the charges dropped. Afterwards her Father clamped down on her after school activities. She also had to quit her job at Chuck’s Bar and Grill on Concord Ave.
(FM): My next stop was Chuck’s Bar and Grill where Mary washed dishes and helped in the kitchen. The manger was not very helpful with information on Mary’s whereabouts or her friends at his establishment. Sitting on a bar stool, recollecting my thoughts on what I should do next, a young immodestly dress women approached me and introduced herself.
Hi, my name is Ginger (G): How about buying me a drink?
(FM): Sorry, I will not. I am a Man of the Cloth.
(G): You are Father Mark, pastor of St. Theresa parish. Right now you are thinking that I am a Lady of the Sheets. How about I buy you a soda?
To Be Continued in Letters from Canada 12.
