IN THE FOOTSTEPS&

He stood there in line patiently with the others and waited his turn.  "Here," the volunteer said as she handed him a new pair of snow-white socks.  "Thank you" he whispered and held the socks tightly as if she had given him a valuable treasure.
     I watched as he walked through the crowd of other homeless people. Some were already sitting down to pull on their new clean socks. But not him. Not there. I followed him outside and watched as he crossed the street dodging traffic. People rushed past not even seeing him, too busy with their own lives to notice. He sat on a vacant bench and slowly removed his worn shoes. (For a moment I thought of the washing of feet on Holy Thursday at our church.) 
     I had intruded on his privacy long enough. My curiosity satisfied, I turned to go. He looked up just then and our eyes met. He smiled. It was only then out of the corner of my eye that I saw his bare feet and the place where the nails had held them to the cross.
      Next Sunday, St. Patrick's Day will be our last chance to bring socks, t-shirts and boxer shorts for the homeless. Thank you for seeing Jesus in these the least of his people.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Due to the exceptional response of our parishioners who turned in more than six hundred sign-up cards after  Fr. Victor Warkulwiz spoke at Masses on February 23/24, the opening date of Perpetual Adoration will be rescheduled from Sunday, March 10, to Sunday, April 7.  The Adoration Committee is also looking for a volunteer who will help organize the substitute list.  Call Danielle at 651-784-7022 for details.