Sunday, December 12, 2010
I joined the Rooney home for lunch after mass. Some of their weekend they had spent “super-charging” the home, cleaning extra before getting ready to leave on Christmas break on Friday. Lot of the boys are big sports fans, and wanted me to look at their collection of football and basketball cards.
I got called to the Giles Home (High School girls) where one of the moms had come to tell her daughter that her step-father had died in a car accident. As pastor, I regularly spent time in prayer and conversation with grieving families. We talked about memories, worries, plans and hopes. The Giles Home put together a big box of food for the family to take home, as they face the task of feeding the many visitors who will drop by.
When the mom asked what kind of counseling St. Joseph’s has for her daughter, I explained that the Family Service Counselors, houseparents and Pastor Care would work together and all be available as time unfolds. Grief takes a long time, and we are prepared to help our students through these troubling times.
Today was our last day for boys inter-city basketball play. The four teams played a tournament to crown the champion. One team finished the season undefeated, and another winless. With the goals of sportsmanship, self improvement and having fun, everyone played. At the tournament’s completion, awards were announced. Each team had two boys chosen who worked hard and showed team spirit.
