Sandals

Dear Mom and Dad,

It’s my second year at the seminary, and I’m pleased to tell you that I am positive that the priesthood is definitely for me. I had thought the vow of poverty might be the hardest, but I’ve been purposefully spending down my stipend in acts of charity and almsgiving. I used my last $10 to buy popcorn from some Cub Scouts at church, then I gave it to Sister Rosemary Frances to share with the nuns. It really felt good that I was able to share with them.

To help support me with this, please don’t send money on my birthday. But if you could manage to mail some of your delicious banana nut bread, my friends can taste it and agree with me that it’s the best around.

I’m also getting used to the weather out here. It’s so hot in the summer that they let us wear short pants under our vestments, and sandals! It’s funny though, they let us keep them on during chapel, even though one of my fellow seminarians brought up Acts 7:33, "Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’”

Take care, and give Grandma a hug for me.

Love, Luke

(the future Fr. Corrigan)

I stuffed my note into an envelope and walked to the mailbox. It’s such a beautiful Sunday morning! Now I’m on my way to the parish I’ve been assigned to during this year of my studies for the priesthood. I’ll be introduced to the congregation at every Mass today. I’m excited!

The morning Masses seem to zoom by, there are so many smiling faces. Now that the noon Mass has ended, I think the last of the stragglers are done saying hello to me, and oh, a couple of little kids are heading my way!

“Hi Father Luke!” the older boy says, “my name’s Reese.” Maybe he’s a kindergartner, he has a big smile, a bright attitude, and brilliant red hair. He shakes my hand and slips me a twenty dollar bill!

“This is my little brother, he can say hi too.”

The younger one, a toddler with blond hair and a striped shirt, gives me a shy smile.

“Go ahead, say hello and shake his hand,” their mother nudges as she joins us.

“That’s Ryan,” Reese volunteers.

“Hi Fa’Luke,” Ryan says quietly. He tries shaking my hand and awkwardly drops a ten dollar bill. He gives me a high five instead and Reese retrieves the money and hands it to me.

The mother welcomes me with a big smile, gives me all of their names, and thanks me for coming to their church.

“It’s my pleasure, but you don’t have to welcome me with money,” I tell her.

“No I don’t, but we want to. It will come in handy sometime. Bye now, and we’ll see you again!”

“Bye-bye,” chime the boys as they run off towards the parking lot.

“Thank you, and God bless you!” I call after them.

I never imagined that I’d be collecting alms myself today. The pastor is across the parking lot by the rectory, he’s waving me over. It’s time to get over there for some lunch. I’m really working up and appetite, and, snap! Literally, snap! I can’t believe my sandal strap just broke!

Who would have guessed that the money recently pressed into my hand would be pressed into service so soon? Despite my vow of poverty and having no money a few minutes ago, now I have enough to get a new pair of sandals to last me this upcoming year.

I thank the Lord, “the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie," for this family’s kindness. God will provide!