Gifted and Called

The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live. ~ Ethel Percy Andrus, long-time educator and the first woman high school principal in California (1884-1967)

Brother Bartholomew was finishing his lecture on reconciliation when he noticed Peter John, staring out the window. The sun, which shone through the window, gave his face an angelic quality. But Peter John DeAngelo was anything but angelic.

“Can you recite an act of contrition, Peter John?” he asked sharply. Peter John looked at Brother Bartholomew for a moment. “I wasn't aware there was a play named ‘Contrition,’” he responded, gazing out the window once more.

The class giggled, but Brother Bartholomew silenced them with a look. “Have you heard anything I've said today, young man?” This time Peter John didn't bother to look away from the window. “How is an ‘act of contrition’ or ‘reconciliation’ or anything else you've said today going to help me be successful? It all sounds like a bunch of hocus pocus to me.”

Brother Bartholomew’s bushy gray eyebrows arched sharply at this last comment. “Come with me!” he snapped motioning toward the door. “We’ll see if a visit to Mr. Chuska’s office will get your attention.”

This wasn't the first time Peter John had spent an afternoon in the Principal’s office. Unfortunately he had become a fixture there of late. He seemed almost manic-depressive. At times he could be extremely creative and insightful, but at other times he was bored, unmotivated, and even snarky.

His trips to the principal’s office had become more frequent recently, however, and Mr. Chuska was considering a two day suspension if things didn’t straighten out soon.

Father Dolan appeared in the outer doorway. Father Patrick Dolan was a spry cleric in his early 60’s. He was effervescently happy and perennially positive. Bidding a cheery “good afternoon,” to Miss Wickham, the secretary, he headed straight for Mr. Chuska’s open door.

Catching sight of Peter John, he paused for a moment in front of the boy. “Have you taken up residence here?” he asked with a broad smile. Peter John responded by fiddling with his hands. “You spend much more time here, they’ll be given’ you a desk and puttin’ ya to work.” Still no response. Father Dolan paused another moment, then continued to the Principal’s office.

“Anthony Chuska! As I live and breathe!” Father Dolan nearly shouted as he entered. Mr. Chuska didn’t even look up. “What do you want, Patrick?” he replied. “Now is that any way to greet your chaplain?” Dolan chirped.

Mr. Chuska looked up from his work. Pushing his glasses into place and crossing his hands over the papers in front of him, he stared at Father Dolan. “I am very busy; how can I help you today?” he said with a forced smile.

“That’s much better Anthony. I’m glad you asked. I need a volunteer or two to help me in the sacristy for about an hour.”

“Sorry, Patrick,” Mr. Chuska responded, returning to his work. “It’s the end of the semester and most of the students are full up on service hours.” “What about the fine young man in the front office?” Dolan fired back quickly. “Who, you mean DeAngelo?” “I’m filling out the paperwork to suspend him for two days right now.”

“Why don’t you let me save you the trouble of suspending the boy and let him work for me for a couple-a-hours instead? You can always suspend him tomorrow, if ya like.”

Mr. Chuska stopped writing and thought for a moment. He looked up and steepling his hands he smiled insincerely. “OK, Patrick, he’s all yours; but if he doesn't straighten out, it may end up being a lot more than a two-day suspension.” He spoke this last phrase loudly enough for Peter John to hear.

“Thank you, Anthony!” Father Patrick said with a grin and out the door he went before Mr. Chuska could respond.

Father Patrick returned to the front office. “Mr. DeAngelo?” he said with a grin. “I need an assistant this afternoon and you’re just the man for the job!” “What do I have to do?” Peter John asked. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll show you when you get there, and you can decide for yourself.”

Peter John and two other boys who had been dubbed “disciplinary problems” helped Father Patrick in the Church, Sacristy, and Parish Office every other Friday for the rest of their time in school. Peter John went on to graduate with honors and later graduated from college.

Years later, at a class reunion, Miss Wickham asked Peter John what it was that Father Patrick did that seemed to turn troubled students around. Peter John looked at her thoughtfully. “Most people in school tell you what they think you need to know. Father asked us what we thought and what we wanted to know.”

I have often thought that the term “volunteer” should be stricken from church vocabulary.  The word “volunteer” implies a very one-sided relationship. It suggests that the impetus for sharing one’s gifts of time and talent rests solely with the person who possesses those gifts. But It is really a two sided relationship. Jesus called His disciples, and we too have a responsibility to call (invite) others into service.

Calling people into service accomplishes two very important things. It is both a way of recognizing the value of others and a way of validating their gifts for them. It is also a very effective way of developing more helpers for parish projects and ministries.

The Father Patricks of the world know that it is not about relying on the same people over and over again. There are many “diamonds in the rough.” It is about calling people forth – calling them into service, even when they seem to be the most unlikely candidates.

Dear God: Help me to be like Jesus and to look for help from the most unlikely people.

“There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.”  ~Edith Wharton, Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, short story writer, and designer (1862-1937)

©2013 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.