Giving thanks for the work of ‘angels,’ the gift of a friend, the faith of grandparents

(The Criterion has invited our readers to share a special thank you for someone who has influenced their lives in a positive and powerful way. Here is the fourth part of a continuing series. See part three | See part five)
 

By John Shaughnessy

When Mary Anne Barothy was searching for a new job 25 years ago, she never expected that she would get one that would put her in close contact with women doing “the work of the angels.”

That connection came for her when a public relations position opened at the St. Augustine Home for the Aged in Indianapolis, a ministry of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

“While working with the Little Sisters, I saw love made visible every day as they care for their elderly residents until death,” says Barothy, a member of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis. “Not only did the residents become my family, but also the Little Sisters. I felt loved and needed, and I looked forward to going to work every day.

“During my 19 years working for the Little Sisters, I was able to visit at least 15 or more of their homes around the country.  Each one was full of love, and I felt most welcome at each home.”

Barothy has continued that close bond with the sisters in retirement, volunteering with the St. Augustine Guild and doing what she can for the residents and the sisters.

“I just want to say that I am most grateful for the love and friendship of the Little Sisters and their residents,” she says. “That is an awesome blessing to me. God bless the dear Little Sisters of the Poor. They do the work of the angels.”

‘A great friendship evolved’

John Jones knows the joy and the value of a friend who listens, who finds the good in you, and inspires you to bring your goodness into the lives of others.

Jones has found that friend in Father Christopher Wadelton, a friendship that started when the priest was the parochial vicar of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.

“He was taking a group to Honduras for a mission trip,” Jones recalls. “I have always wanted to go on a mission trip, and I felt very at ease with his personality and his way with people. I went on the trip and a great friendship evolved, along with him being a great spiritual guide in my life.”

Their connection has continued even as Father Wadelton is now the pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus and a sacramental minister at Holy Trinity Parish in Edinburgh.

“Looking back over the years, the one thing that always stands out is how others react to him as a person and leader,” Jones says. “He generally just connects to everyone, and he’s never judgmental. He always finds the good in everyone he meets. He’s always available to listen and guide. I know I could call him at any time, and he would listen. I always look forward to our visits.”

Summers on a farm and a growing season of faith thanks to grandparents

During his childhood and his youth, Bill Greenwald spent summers on his grandparents’ farm.

It was an opportunity for Greenwald to get to know his grandparents better. It also became a time when they shared their faith with him, and he grew in his.

“My grandmother Celestine would have me saying the rosary with her and grandpa for family and friends who were having trouble,” recalls Greenwald, a member of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis. “She would let me help her sew and crochet scapular badges and necklaces for Catholic Charities.

“My grandmother would not have a TV in the house, so we would work on projects, read and listen to the radio in the evenings. We would get up very early to feed the animals and do chores. When it was time for me to go home, she would sprinkle holy water on our vehicle for a safe trip back to the city.”

The sprinkling of holy water—and the whole experience on the farm—left a lasting mark on Greenwald’s approach to his life and his faith.

“I think what I learned from the examples that my strict Catholic grandparents set for me, in those early years of my life, is that God truly wants us to help others.

“Over the years, I have experienced that most of the time God accepts our poor excuse of being too busy to help someone in trouble. But on rare occasions, God will insist that we use the talents that he has given us to help someone in need. And he refuses to let us off the hook, no matter how hard we try to get out of it.” †