March 13, 2009

My Journey to God

Saints

Evening found little Thomas sad and jaded.
His faith in what adults told him had faded.

His best friend said, “You’re not very bright
If you believe in a fairy tale or sprite.”

What he told him about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus
Shook his tiny world, and made him stop and pause.

So, to his father he went to get answers clear
To those childhood beliefs he held so dear.

“In church, Father talks about saints with such zeal.
Tell me, Dad, do they exist? Are saints real?”

The father saw his son was saddened, almost ready to cry,
So he thought long and hard before he made this reply.

“Son, saints don’t wear halos. They don’t sprout wings.
They’re ordinary people doing ordinary things.

“But they do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
They try to be like Jesus each and every day.”

He paused and realized his explanation had not succeeded,
And knew a different approach was needed.

“Son, you ask, ‘Do saints exist? Are they real?’
Sit down, boy. Let me tell you about Sister Mary Cecile.”

By Larry Weber

(Larry Weber is a member of St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg. He wrote this poem as a tribute to Benedictine Sister Mary Cecile Deken, who died unexpectedly on Feb. 1 at St. Lawrence Church in Lawrenceburg. Sister Mary Cecile served as the pastoral associate and director of religious education at St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg for 20 years. She was a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove.) †

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